Funcinpec’s national congress, which is scheduled to take place at the Olympic Stadium on Nov 14, is expected to draw delegations of lawmakers from a dozen nations and will include Prime Minister Hun Sen as a special guest.
Chea Chanboribo, Funcinpec secretary of state at the Ministry of Information, said that more than 4,000 party officials—including roughly 3,000 commune councilors—from across the country are slated to join the national congress.
He said that the political gathering is gearing up to be a big event, with close to 300 actors, musicians and singers showcasing Cambodia’s cultural heritage to the various delegations, adding that Funcinpec President Prince Norodom Ranariddh and co-Minister of Interior Prince Norodom Sirivudh are sponsoring the various arts performances.
“It would be the biggest-ever art performance,” he maintained, adding that he did not know how much the party officials are planning to spend for the events.
Performers, such as Sok Sidony, 22, a traditional dancer in the arts department at the Tonle Bassac cultural center, have been rehearsing for the congress since the middle of October.
Actors and dancers are receiving $5 a day and musicians and singers are receiving $10 for the one-month rehearsal period.
Chhrong Rantank, 24, also a traditional dancer, said that she prefers to rehearse both in the morning and the afternoon “to help me with high gas prices.”
Chea Chanboribo and Chhim Seak Leng, Funcinpec deputy secretary-general, both denied local media reports that at the congress it will be announced that the royalist party will further reduce its number of deputy secretary-generals.
Earlier this year, Funcinpec reduced its deputy secretary-generals from over 22 posts to seven.
“In meetings I attended, no such issue was raised,” Chhim Seak Leng said. “Let’s wait and see,” he said.
