Cultural celebration: Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (sixth left, center) poses for a photograph with Indonesian Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani (seventh left) and Indonesian choreographer Guruh Sukarno Putra (fifth left) at the opening ceremony of an Indonesia-Cambodia cultural show. The event, hosted on Feb. 13 in Phnom Penh, celebrated the two countries’ 60th anniversary of bilateral relations. (Courtesy of the Indonesian Embassy in Cambodia)

Chaktomuk Convention Hall, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Indonesia and Cambodia have celebrated the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties with an intercultural show featuring artistic performances that showcased traditions from both countries.

The event was organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh with the Cambodian Royal Palace as well as the country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry and Cultural Ministry on Feb. 13 in the auditorium of the state-owned Chaktomuk Convention Hall.

The event was attended by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, as well as representatives from the country’s various ministries. Indonesian Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani attended the event as a guest of honor, along with Indonesian choreographer Guruh Sukarno Putra.

Indonesia and Cambodia signed a treatise establishing the two countries’ diplomatic ties on Feb. 13, 1959. The cultural show was just one element of the celebration, which also included various cultural and sporting activities, such as a golf tournament, education exhibition and film screening involving participants from both countries.

The cultural event was kicked off with the Royal Ballet of Cambodia’s performance of the Prey Prasith dance and the Robam Boung Soung dance, both traditional Cambodian dances. Indonesian dancers from the Pusbudi Nusantara troupe also showcased the tari cawan (bowl dance) from North Sumatra. Guruh’s troupe also performed during the cultural event.

An Indonesian kolintang percussion ensemble then played a traditional Indonesian song, Bengawan Solo, featuring the king’s daughter Norodom Rattana Devi on vocals, who sang alongside Indonesian singer Intan Adriana. The event also featured the Indonesian Mini Chamber Orchestra, which performed alongside Cambodian traditional musicians, performing various Indonesian and Cambodian folk songs.

“As Indonesians and Cambodians from different walks of life blend together to appreciate the beauty of traditional arts from both countries, this togetherness is expected to solidify both countries’ sense of friendship, which in turn will push for more bilateral cooperation between the two countries,” Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Sudirman Haseng said.