To commemorate the 58th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Arts organized a celebratory event with art performances and exhibitions showcasing traditional handicrafts from member countries of the region. This created a unique ASEAN cultural space, unified in diversity, within the grounds of the Royal University of Arts, in the heart of Phnom Penh.
Vietnamese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu and his wife attended the event, along with Ambassadors from ASEAN member states, Timor Leste, and ASEAN partner countries.
From the afternoon of August 9th, the campus of the Royal University of Arts of Cambodia was busier than usual with many domestic and international delegations visiting. Alongside this was a lively quiz with prizes for the students, who eagerly competed in a knowledge contest, learning about the history and development of ASEAN, as well as the characteristics of each member country of the regional organization.
At the event venue, the organizers allocated a separate space for the embassies of ASEAN member countries and Timor Leste to set up booths showcasing their traditional national handicrafts, attracting a large number of visitors. These booths featured traditional scarves, silk dresses, masks, silver bowls, and other items from various regions across Cambodia, organized by the event organizers.
At the event, the Vietnamese booth stood out with handicrafts from the traditional lacquerware villages of Ha Thai (Thuong Tin, Hanoi ) and Chu Dau pottery (Hai Duong), both with a history spanning hundreds of years.
The exhibition space is housed in a building with ancient architecture, similar to the lecture halls and other buildings on the campus of the Royal University of Arts Phnom Penh, showcasing centuries-old architecture. Along with the handicrafts displayed in the booths, the exhibition space is further enlivened and impressive by the delegations wearing traditional national costumes. These include the flowing ao dai and the soft, graceful, and feminine ao tu than worn by Vietnamese women.
The commemorative event held that evening in such a special setting highlighted the ASEAN cultural space as unified in diversity, blending the cultural identities of member states under the common roof of the regional organization established nearly six decades ago.
In her welcoming message, the Cambodian Minister of Culture and Arts, Ms. Phoeurng Sackona, stated that this event is not only an occasion to commemorate the founding of the regional organization in 1967, but also an opportunity to reaffirm the shared vision, unity in diversity, and commitment to living in peace and building a prosperous future for ASEAN together.
According to Ms. Phoeurng Sackona, this year's commemorative activities are organized under the theme of "Inclusiveness and Sustainability" of Malaysia, the ASEAN rotating chair in 2025, reflecting the region's shared determination to achieve the goals of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and prepare for the future through the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
In the cultural field, this year's ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Culture and the Arts (AMCA), chaired by Malaysia, has chosen the theme "Connecting Cultures, Building the Future: Unity in Diversity" as its cooperation theme, emphasizing the role of culture and the arts in the common effort to build the ASEAN Community.
The Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Arts emphasized that this theme reflects the shared belief that although ASEAN is a melting pot of languages, religions, and traditions, cultural heritage is a powerful unifying force. It reminds countries that preserving and promoting heritage, both tangible and intangible, is essential to protecting identity, enhancing mutual understanding, and building trust among nations.
In that spirit, the head of Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Arts stated that this commemorative program is a vivid testament to the unity through culture of the ASEAN bloc, along with artistic performances and exhibitions showcasing traditional handicrafts from Timor Leste and other ASEAN member states.
Ms. Phoeurng Sackona emphasized: “Here, each country displays and introduces its unique artistic beauty and traditions, reflecting our rich culture and our belief in unity in diversity.”
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/de-cao-ban-sac-van-hoa-asean-thong-nhat-trong-da-dang-post1054830.vnp
![[Photo] Standing Committee member of the Party Central Committee Tran Cam Tu working with the Central Inspection Committee](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/05/28/1779969579668_ndo_br_bnd-2495-jpg.webp)
Comment (0)