We wish everyone in Cambodia a Happy Water Festival. You can meet us at the Wat Bo Village Festival near the riverside in Siem Reap from 14.-16.11. from 2 pm to 10 pm during the festival.
Our staff will explain you our work, the professional approach to caregiving in Cambodia and what we can offer retirees who want to move to Siem Reap.
You can als ask questions and even win some small notebooks at our stall. We are happy to answer all your questions about care for older people at home in Siem Reap and caregiving in Cambodia.
What is the water festival in Cambodia?
The water festival in Cambodia has a long tradition. It’s celebrating the reversal of the flow of the Tonle Sap river.
The Water Festival, or Bon Om Touk, is one of Cambodia’s most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals. Held annually in November, the festival is especially grand in Phnom Penh, the capital, where crowds gather along the riverside for three days of festivities. But Sieam Reap also has it‘s own boat races and many activities along the riverside in the town. The Water Festival celebrates the beginning of the fishing season, expresses gratitude for the water’s life-sustaining role, and commemorates an ancient victory by the Khmer navy.
Key Highlights of the Festival
1. Boat Races: The festival’s centerpiece is the traditional boat racing, where long, colorful wooden boats with up to 80 rowers compete on the Tonle Sap River. These races represent both historical military prowess and communal pride, with different provinces and organizations showcasing their rowing skills.
2. Illuminated Floats: Each night, a parade of illuminated boats, adorned with lights and symbols of the Cambodian monarchy and government, sails along the river, adding a festive, almost magical glow to the celebration.
3. Music, Dance, and Fireworks: Streets around the river become lively with traditional music, dancing, and food stalls. Each night ends with a grand fireworks display, further energizing the celebratory atmosphere.
Cultural Significance of the water festival
The festival holds spiritual significance, with Cambodians offering prayers for blessings and expressing gratitude for the water, which is central to their agricultural society.
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