Khmer S'rin artistic group (Kantreum songs and Chapey Dorng Veng) led by Mr. Chey Mongkol to perform in 15 US States starting January 2011

Khmer Surin students and their teacher, Dr. Chhany Sak-Humphry

Click here to read the announcement in Khmer

A group of Kandrum Folk Performers from Surin province to perfom in the US in January 2011 under the Cultural Exchange Program between Language and Culture Association of Surin Province (LCASP) and Supporting Khmer Surin Committee (SKSC), California, USA.

On October 25th, 2010, Mr. Chaimongkol Chalermsukjitsri, the President of the Language and Culture Association of Surin province (LCASP) has informed to the local media in Surin province that, LCASP will send 2 Kandrum singers—Mr.Daka and Ms.Montra, and 1 Chapey Singer—Mr.Jun Saengjun to perform in the 15 states of the United States of America under the cultural exchange program between Language and Culture Association of Surin Province (LCASP) and Supporting Khmer Surin Committee (SKSC). As planned the group will be returned to Thailand by the end of March, 2011, said Mr.Chaimongkol Chalermsukjitsri.

“We’ve decided to work with Darka, Montra and Mr.Jun Saengjun to perform in the US. Darka and Montra are younger Kandrum singers, and both are married. They are young, but they are determined and most of all they love their own Khmer language. While Mr. Jun Saengjan is the only Chapey singer left in Surin and Srisaket province. He is the most valuable because he is the only last Chapey left. He has decided to continue his careers as Chapey singer although the listeners are very few in number due to the difficulty of the Khmer language that he sings. The primary objective of the trip is to strengthening cultural ties between the Khmer in Surin, Thailand and the Khmer in the US and around the world, and secondly to open a rare opportunities for local folk performing artists to the internationally reorganization with support from LCASP,” so said Mr.Chaimongkol—the President of LCASP.

Currently Kandrum and other branches of Khmer language related performing arts and literature in Surin is in a state of decline due to a small in number of local audiences that means also limited number of audiences and market size, and the artists’ ability to write songs in Khmer language is very very limited, and it doesn’t reflect any cultural identity of the Khmer Surin, the indigenous people of Surin province. In addition, we don’t have enough able music producers that capable to produce the Kandrum music. LCASP is hopeful that with help from Khmer brothers and sisters in Cambodia, USA, Australia, France, and Canada, we can rescue the local art performers from a state of decline. We aims at younger generation because they have more free time, and they will be taught the Khmer language which doesn’t take long, and it’s easy for them to learn because they speak Khmer in their daily life already. Then, Darkar, Montra, and Mas Jun Saengjun will be traveling to Cambodia to study music about one month before heading towards the US in January.

Although, this is a first step with limited numbers of artists, but it is very crucial for the Khmer language artists, and we are hopeful to have artists to join for the next year. LCASP would also like to thank to Director of Surin’s Provincial Cultural Office for his kindly writing a letter of support to the US Embassy for visa application, said Mr.Chaimongkol—the President of LCASP.

News Source:

http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2010/10/khmer-srin-artistic-group-kantreum.html

Language and Culture Association of Surin Province (LCASP)

Office: House #9, Ban Khok Krapeu, Tambong Nok Muang, Amphoe

Muang Surin, Surin Province 32000

Phone : 0875815514

Email: cheymongkol@gmail.com