AKP Phnom Penh, November 07, 2025 --

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet this morning extended his warm congratulations on the 22nd anniversary of the proclamation of Preah Reach Troap Dance (Royal Ballet) as Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

"Congratulations to the 22nd anniversary of the Royal Ballet’s listing as Intangible Heritage of Humanity (Nov. 7, 2003 - Nov. 7, 2025)," the Premier wrote on his official social media platform.   

As described by UNESCO, the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, or Khmer Classical Dance, is famous for its graceful hand gestures and its splendid costumes, closely associated with the royal court during more than one millennium, embodies values of refinement and spirituality characteristics of the Khmer culture. The Performances of the Royal Ballet took place within the framework of various rites associated with the royal power and the prestige of the country.

The codified gestures and poses that dancers must master require many years of intensive training. An orchestra performing sacred music accompanies the dancers and a female chorus provides running commentary on the plot and the emotions mimed by the dancers. The characteristic of Khmer choreography is that the dance does not have fixed gestures, but figures in perpetual movement, which gives a single fluidity in Asia. Musicians and chorus-singers accompany the gracious evolutions by the dancers, wearing embroidered wire clothes of gold and splendid jewels. This makes the Royal Ballet of Cambodia too original to merge with others.

Other Cambodian heritages registered so far on the World Heritage List include the Historic Site of Angkor inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1992; Lakhon Sbek Thom (big shadow puppet) proclaimed masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005; the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple listed as a World Heritage Site in 2008; Teanh Prot (tug-of-war), a popular recreational game, named an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015; Chapei Dang Veng, a Cambodian two-stringed, long-necked guitar, inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2016; Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex registered as a World Heritage Site in 2017; Lkhon Khol Wat Svay Andet recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2018; Kun Lbokator, a Cambodia’s traditional martial art, registered on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022; and Koh Ker archeological site listed as a World Heritage Site in 2023. 

By C. Nika