Exhibition celebrates history of Czech, Cambodian relations
Pann Rethea | Publication date 20 October 2019 | 21:02 ICT

Then Prince Norodom Sihanouk (back row, fifth from right) and Czechoslovakian President Antonin Novotny (third from right) pose with Cambodian Royal Ballet performers in Cambodia in January 1963. Czech News Agency

Currently hanging on the walls of the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh are rare black and white photographs of Cambodian royalty with Czech leaders, depicting the history of relations between the two countries.

One of the photos, taken in January 1963, shows then Prince Norodom Sihanouk with Cambodian Royal Ballet performers in honour of the visit of Czechoslovakian President Antonin Novotny to Cambodia.

His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni is fluent in Czech having spent most of his childhood in Prague where he studied classical dance and music at the Academy of Performing Arts.

Another interesting photo that illustrates the cultural relationship between the Czech Republic and Cambodia depicts President Novotny congratulating Princess Norodom Buppha Devi, daughter of then Prince Norodom Sihanouk, for her leading role in a Royal Ballet performance.

The photos are part of exhibit Czech Republic & Kingdom of Cambodia – Ties in Time, which opened on Thursday in a ceremony presided over by Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona and Charge d´Affaires of the Czech Republic to the Kingdom of Cambodia Vlastimil Tesar.

The Czech Republic & Kingdom of Cambodia – Ties in Time exhibition is being held at National Museum of Cambodia on Street 13 (Preah Ang Eng) in Phnom Penh.

The exhibition is open to the public until October 31.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/lifestyle ... -relations