Program

• Summary schedule in English and Khmer language

• Detail schedule in English and Khmer language

• Schedule Workshop on Large Shadow Puppet in English and Khmer language

• Schedule of Performances in the Chaktomuk Theater

Major Components of the Cambodian Youth Arts Festival
The Cambodian Youth Arts Festival (CYAF) 2010 includes participation by 20 arts organizations and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. The festival comprises 11 major components as follows.

1. Parade
The Parade is a march from the Royal Palace to the Festival site, a gathering of all participating artists to celebrate the start of the festival and draw public attention and excitement. Artists of each organization will march together and are encouraged to find visual ways to express their creativity.

2. Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony is a ceremony celebrated on the first day of the Festival, after the Parade. The Ceremony will be composed of:

• Pithy Sampeah Krou

“Pithy Sampeah Krou” or “the Praying to the Teacher Ceremony,” a kind of blessing ceremony that is usually performed at the beginning of a performance to pay respect to the teachers who paved the way for the artists and ask for their blessing. It conveys profound respect to emphasize the important relationship between the students and teachers in Cambodian arts and culture. The ceremony is accompanied by Cambodian traditional music as the offering to the teachers.

• Speech of the Honored Guests

After the Pithy Sampeah Krou, some honored guests will be asked to speak to open the festival and honor the participants and the occasion of a great festival in the capital.

3. Demonstrations
A demonstration is an opportunity for the masters and their students to present their art forms by way of explanations and examples (no costumes). Individuals and performing groups who are scheduled for demonstrations can explain some of the history of their form before demonstrating it in a brief sample performance. Audience questions and feedback will be encouraged.

4. Workshops
A workshop is intended to be a hands-on experience for the participants during which masters and students will teach the participants in gaining personal experience in the art form. As participants in each workshop learn they will also be able to practice the form they are learning. All participants in the festival will see demonstrations earlier in the week that help them choose which workshops to sign up for.

5. Performances
A performance is an opportunity for masters and students to perform their art forms to the group (full costumes). Individuals and groups chosen for these will be scheduled either for main stage performances in the evening, or for smaller, more intimate performance venues in the late afternoon each day.

6. Game/Site Visit
Game/Site Visit is an informal opportunity for the participants to relax and get to know each other, see and experience a bit more of this beautiful country and gain more general knowledge of the visited places such as the Royal Palace and the National Museum.

7. Film/slide screening
A film/slide screening is an opportunity for each organization to present their work and project through the documentary film and slide show during the Festival celebration. There will also be screenings of documentaries and other films by professional film makers and emerging young film makers.

8. Jam Session
Jam session is an informal opportunity for all participants to perform voluntarily what they have learned from the workshop during the Festival or during a year with their masters or teachers.

9. Conference
Conference is a session to gather the arts masters and teachers together to share their experiences and new ideas related to improving the development of promoting and increasing awareness of Cambodian traditional arts through visioning and strategic development as well as how to use the arts in the field of social development.

10. Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony is a celebration to end the entire CYAF during which all participants will pay their gratitude to the teachers’ spirit that helped make the festival an exciting and successful event. It is also the occasion of expressing deep thanks to all participants for their sharing and learning during the week. During the closing ceremony, the elder masters and teachers from each group will be given certificates and/or medals for their efforts in helping to preserve and revive the arts. The representatives of participating youth and arts organizations are also invited to share their festival experiences.

11. Arts Fairs
All arts non-profit and for-profit organizations will be invited to exhibit and sell their art products, such as performing art costumes, musical instruments, CDs, documentary films, visual arts, silk, engravings and other products at the outdoor booths.