Traditional games, dance and chapei music to welcome the New Year

On the eve of the Khmer New Year, all the staff of the PPM-Confirel Group met on the roof terrace of the Confirel factory for a day of festivities in the presence of Dr Hay Ly Eang, CEO of the group, and his wife and daughters.

The morning was devoted to traditional New Year games which brought a lot of good humor while the afternoon took place the blessing of the monks. Then, dancers, notably for the Trot dance, and a chapei player came on stage

“This year, our New Year celebration is full of traditional games. This is very good because we must preserve our culture which contributes to our collective happiness,” rejoiced Dr Hay. “If we are happy to be together today, it is because everyone’s efforts over the past year have contributed to the development of the country, the company and the well-being of all our families,” said he continued before wishing everyone a safe return to their native village to welcome the year of the dragon with their families.

Across the country, New Year festivities attracted huge crowds like never before. According to official figures, from April 13 to 15, more than 13 million people, including some 80,000 foreign tourists, traveled in the country to attend the various shows and events organized here and there. Among the country's provinces, Kampong Cham received the most tourists, with more than 3.4 million local and foreign visitors, followed by Kampong Speu province with more than 1.2 million and that of Battambang with nearly 1.1 million.