The Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh has extended best wished to the Cambodian people on the occasion of the Pchum Ben Festival.
“Pchum Ben is a special cultural event in Cambodia. It is a time for Cambodians to join their family, friends and community to visit pagoda to commemorate their late ancestors and relatives,” said the embassy this afternoon.
H.E. Pablo Kang, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, was pleased to bring the Embassy community to visit Venerable Kou Sopheap this morning at Wat Kul Toteung to pay their respects and received blessings for Pchum Ben.
“Cambodia is rich in culture and customs, and we have about 66,000 Australians with Cambodian a background making a vibrant contribution to Australia’s multicultural community,” the embassy underlined. “From our family to yours—we wish everyone a safe and happy Pchum Ben.”
“Pchum Ben” Festival or the Festival for the Dead, which is the second biggest festival for the Cambodian people in the entire country after the “Chaul Chhnam Thmei” (Khmer New Year), will be celebrated this weekend, from Sept. 24 to 26.
In fact, the whole festival lasts 15 days. During the first 14 days, called Kan Ben, people or villagers take turns to offer food to monks in nearby pagodas in hope that the offerings will reach the souls of their ancestors by virtue of the Buddhist monk sermons.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press