AKP Phnom Penh, June 23, 2026 -- The National Bank of Cambodia’s Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum of Economy and Money (SOSORO) in Phnom Penh has opened its new temporary exhibition, Angkêt de mots: When Khmer Meets French.

The exhibition was inaugurated on June 21 during a ceremony presided over by H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Ministers and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, members of the Royal Family, diplomats, and representatives from the cultural, educational, and economic sectors.

Drawing on the expertise of linguist Jean-Michel Filippi, the exhibition’s scientific curator, Angkêt de mots offers a singular exploration of the connections between the Khmer and French languages.

It explains how a large number of French-origin words have been incorporated into Khmer, reflecting more than a century of cultural exchanges between Cambodia and the Francophone world.

Through a journey that is at once historical, linguistic, and interactive, visitors discover how these words have been adopted, transformed, adapted, and reinvented over time.

The exhibition also traces the evolution of the French language in Cambodia, from the Protectorate period to its contemporary usage in Cambodian society.

The exhibition, curated in Khmer and French only, combines interpretive panels, archives, videos, games, and immersive recreations inspired by Cambodia during the Sangkum era.

Interactive installations invite visitors to test their knowledge, explore the mechanisms of word formation, and even take part in a karaoke experience blending Khmer and French repertoires.

“This exhibition is even more audiovisual, playful, and interactive than our previous productions, offering a truly participatory experience for visitors to discover,” said Mr. Blaise Kilian, Co-Director of the SOSORO Museum.

An activity booklet for young visitors is also available in both Khmer and French.

The exhibition comes ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit, which the Kingdom will host this year.

It highlights the vitality of the ties linking Cambodia and the Francophone world while celebrating a shared linguistic heritage.

“The SOSORO Museum is fully contributing to the Francophonie year in Cambodia through this exhibition and many other ongoing projects,” noted H.E. Dr. Chea Serey.

Presented in the former Bank of Indochina building, recently incorporated into the SOSORO Museum complex, the exhibition is now open to the public.

By Chea Vannak