Traditional songs were performed in the garden in front of the National Museum and fireworks lit up the sky on Saturday evening to mark the first anniversary of King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation Day.
Celebrations are also scheduled to continue today for retired King Norodom Sihanouk’s 83rd birthday, though fireworks will not be involved, government officials said.
Although King Sihamoni and the retired King are not in the country, celebrations are being held as usual, said Chea Kean, deputy secretary general at the Permanent Organizing Commission for National and International Ceremonies, on Sunday.
All ministries and government departments were instructed to place signs in front of buildings and on the streets blessing both the King and the retired King during the holidays, Chea Kean added.
Last year’s coronation celebration was re-broadcast on TVK from Friday to Sunday, said TVK Director Kem Gunawath.
The channel also aired blessing songs and past footage of King Sihamoni, including his provincial visits during the year, Kem Gunawath said.
Today, TVK will broadcast blessing messages and arts performances for the retired King’s birthday.
Kem Gunawath also said that the airing of anti-Sihanouk songs from the 1960s and the readings of documents about the recent border supplement with Vietnam have ceased.
“We don’t play it, and after this, we won’t play it,” he said. “It is a happy environment.”
Funcinpec marked both events on Saturday at the party’s headquarters in Phnom Penh with a celebration attended by 300 party officials, said Funcinpec Deputy Secretary-General Chhim Seak Leng.
“The Funcinpec party is always thankful to the retired King,” Chhim Seak Leng said.
