PHNOM
PENH, Nov. 29, 2011 (PRU) – Cambodian and Italian officials are
arranging a cultural event in which Italian dancer Roberto Bolle will
perform in Siem Reap. The event will improve cultural relations between
the two countries and also aims to attract more Western tourists.
Cambodian
Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An, who is also Minister in Charge of the
Office of the Council of Ministers, told the Italian ambassador that
Cambodia welcomes this plan.
“I
will assign concerned officials and the ministries of tourism and
culture to work with your people to organise this cultural event so that
the audiences will not be hit by rain”, H.E. Dr. Sok An told Ambassador
Michelangelo Pipan.
No date is yet set for the performance.
“This is of special interest and will be a big event that requires us to work together”, said Dr. Sok An.
The
Ambassador told Dr. Sok An that the Italian side has been working on
this plan and would also approach His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, who
is also a ballet dancer, about the event.
The
number of Italian tourists visiting Cambodia has increased over time,
and it is hoped that the coming cultural event will encourage more
tourists from Italy.
Last
year, the Italian ambassador told the Deputy Prime Minister, Italy
built a laboratory centre in Siem Reap province and sent professors to
train Cambodian students to fix broken artifacts.
Italy has been pleased to help the Kingdom to restore the Pre Rup Temple over the last four years.
Pre
Rup was the second temple mountain, after East Mebon, which it
resembles, constructed in the Angkor region by Rajendravarman II
(944-968). In recent years Pre Rup Temple has been undergoing
restoration financed through an Italian project.
Italy has also expanded a project to fix more than 300 metres of staircase of Angkor Temple.