Pheaktra orders publicity campaign for children’s festival
MINISTER of Information Neth Pheaktra instructed the ministry’s commission which is organising the Children’s Music and Song Festival to ensure that details of the event are shared widely, in order to guarantee widespread public support.
Pheaktra issued the call while chairing a December 25 commission meeting at the ministry headquarters. The meeting was held to solidify preparations for the festival, which will be held to celebrate next year’s International Children’s Day, according to ministry spokesperson Tep Asnarith.
“The minister pushed the commission to do whatever is possible to spread information about this festival to local and international NGOs, companies and enterprises, as well as other potential sponsors, in order to ensure that they understand the value of the event and will support it, spiritually, financially and materially,” he said.
Asnarith explained that the festival, which will see children compete in songs and performances, aims to promote Cambodian children’s participation. It will be an opportunity for them to showcase their talents, as well as motivating them to love Khmer art, culture and the nation, from a young age.
It also serves as a chance to encourage children to show their courage, abilities, and achievements as role models for other children in their social activities. They are the future leaders of the Kingdom, and are considered “bamboo shoots which will grow up to be strong bamboo”.
“Although their ability to sing and perform in the contests is aimed at earning prizes, the songs will also be attached to values, educational messages and morality lessons for other children to learn from and follow,” said Asnarith.
“This will include the promotion of children’s rights, the eradication of child exploitation and the use of drugs, an understanding of road safety and the value of knowledge, as well as good behaviour in society,” he added.
According to the ministry, the children’s contest was first organised in the 1980s by the National Television of Cambodia (TVK). More recently, the Children’s Music and Song Festival was organised by the information ministry, in collaboration with relevant institutions, NGOs and private sector representatives.
It said the organising commission will hold more meetings to discuss detailed planning, and ensure that the festival is successful and makes an effective contribution to the government’s priority polices.