PHNOM PENH, Nov. 29, 2011 – 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.
