SEA Games 32: A feast of sound, light and Cambodian cultural imprints

According to a VNA correspondent in Cambodia, on the evening of May 5, at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in the capital Phnom Penh, under the chairmanship of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 32) officially began with a grand opening ceremony, like a feast of sound, light and performing arts, bearing the cultural imprint of the host country.

Photo caption — Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen hands over the Games torch to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Samdech Tea Banh - Chairman of the 32nd SEA Games Organizing Committee. Photo: Hoang Linh/VNA

On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang attended the opening ceremony, along with representatives of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor Leste. A large audience also came to watch, filling the newly completed 60,000-seat Morodok Techo National Stadium in the Sports Complex of the same name on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. At exactly 7:00 p.m., the opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games began with a countdown and the national anthem of the host country Cambodia. Immediately following was a unique art performance called “Cambodian National Journey” lasting more than an hour like a feast of sound, light and performing arts, bearing the cultural identity of the country and people of Cambodia. With thousands of actors participating, the grand theatrical scene of the opening ceremony was elaborately staged with the support of modern sound and lighting technology, highlighting the art forms, music, and famous tangible and intangible cultural heritages of Cambodia, reviewing the journey of the Cambodian people from the beginning to the present, going through many ups and downs of history to reach the Victory on January 7, 1979, the day of overthrowing the Pol Pot genocidal regime, reviving the entire nation so that the country and its people can have a peaceful and developed life with laughter, joy and hope like today; at the same time, sending a message about the spirit of solidarity in building an ASEAN community with a common destiny.

After the impressive "Cambodian National Journey" dramatization, the 32nd SEA Games opening ceremony continued with the parade of 11 Southeast Asian sports delegations with nearly 11,000 athletes, the flag-raising and flag-raising activities of the Southeast Asian Sports Federation, the oath-taking of referees and representatives of athletes from the host country Cambodia. Athlete Prum Samnang (Bronze Medalist of the 31st SEA Games) - a Kun Khmer martial artist - held the flag of the host sports delegation of Cambodia and marched last. Before that, athlete Nguyen Huy Hoang - who won 3 Gold Medals and broke 5 SEA Games records - held the flag and led the Vietnamese Sports Delegation through the stage.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Thong Khon - Minister of Tourism, President of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia and President of the Council of the Southeast Asian Games Federation - said that the organization of this sporting event with the participation of 10,800 members of 11 participating sports delegations contributed to strengthening solidarity and friendship in accordance with the spirit of the slogan "Sports - Living in peace" of the 32nd SEA Games. On behalf of the Council of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, Mr. Thong Khon personally thanked Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Royal Government of Cambodia for deciding to provide free accommodation, travel, media rights and entrance tickets to the matches, creating a historic mark of a free SEA Games.

In his opening speech, Mr. Tea Banh - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense and Chairman of the National Committee for the 32nd SEA Games of Cambodia (CAMSOC) - sent a warm welcome to all athletes present in the beautiful country of Cambodia, where people are living in peace and developing in all fields. According to the Chairman of CAMSOC, Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games is not simply a sporting event, but also a demonstration and introduction of the beauty and cultural identity of the nation to the world, as well as enhancing cultural, tourism and economic cooperation between ASEAN countries through sports activities.

On behalf of the King, the Royal Government of Cambodia and in his own name, Prime Minister Hun Sen declared the 32nd SEA Games open. The opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games ended with the lighting of the 32nd SEA Games torch and brilliant fireworks displays in the sky around the Morodok Techo National Stadium on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, welcoming the exciting competitions taking place in the coming days at the regional sports festival.