On the eve of Pchum Ben, a public ceremony will be held at Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province on Sunday afternoon, ending with a candlelight march to honor those who perished during the Khmer Rouge regime.
Initiated by Ravynn Karet-Coxen, who started a Khmer classical dance school for students living near Angkor’s Banteay Srei monument, the ceremony will involve Buddhist monks based at Angkor park, she said on Friday.
“We wish to stop time and remember all those who died,” she said.
The ceremony will start at 4:30 p.m. at Wat Tep Pranom near the Terrace of the Elephants with prayers by the monks and a dance performed by 30 young women.
Participants and attendees will then walk with lit candles along the Bayon monument to Angkor Wat, where the monks will preside over a final ritual.
“Angkor continues to hold a spiritual value for Cambodians,” Ms. Karet-Coxen said.
Pchum Ben is a 15-day religious celebration honoring the dead. It starts Monday.
