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The Sacred Dancers of Angkor perform their first international dance ritual for thousands of worshipper gathered at Wat Phou temple in Laos. February 2012.

UNESCO Announces Sacred Dancers of Angkor US Tour 2013

Hailed by H.M. King Sihamoni of Cambodia as a “highly talented and spiritual” dance troupe, 30 extraordinary young artists are embarking on the Sacred Dancers of Angkor US Tour to perform rare classical, folk and sacred Khmer dance and music. Their mission is to bridge the Cambodian-Americans to their Motherland during the Holy Month of Remembrance of the Ancestors (Pchum Ben which starts on September 20) and to raise awareness about the Cambodian dance. The tour is endorsed and supported by King Norodom Sihamoni, the Cambodian Government and the UNESCO Office in Phnom Penh and is placed under the Auspices of Princess Norodom Boppha Devi.

Nou Nam, left, had been the favorite dancer of both King Norodom and King Sisowath. In her 50s in 1927, she agreed to help Georges Groslier archive Khmer classical dance movements in photographic form. Ith, right, would only pose for the camera when her rival in the Royal Ballet was absent, Georges Groslier wrote in 1928. (National Museum Collection)

Royal Cambodian Dancers of Sisowath in 1927 Photos by George Groslier

“Cambodian royal dances, the ad­mirable artistic tradition and all the indigenous past they represent are seriously threatened due to the very evolution of Cambodia and Western progress.” These prophetic words could have been written at any time, but they were actually penned in 1928 by George Groslier, founder and director of the National Museum in Phnom Penh. See dozens of these rare photos, recently revealed by the National Museum of Cambodia.

To Cambodia With Love - Cambodian dancers by Tewfic EI-Sawy.

To Cambodia With Love-Book Review

To Cambodia With Love is a great guidebook with expert authors sharing travel tips and ideas for travelers to Angkor, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and beyond.