Responsible Tourism Guide to the Mekong

Phare Ponle Selapak

Be entertained in the evening with good old fashioned fun. Children and teenagers doing back flips, juggle more than seems possible, and walking on a tight rope. Hear some jokes from young Khmers and learn more about the community while sharing a laugh and helping the community with your tourism spending.

What tourists can see and do there:
Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) – meaning “the brightness of art” – is best known for its circus school, which trains children and teenagers that come from difficult social backgrounds, in several disciplines: acrobatics, juggling, balancing, contortion, trapeze and clowning. The school presents an alternative program for children and teenagers, keeping them out of risk, and has grown from its humble beginnings to a performance arts institution. PPS troupes now perform throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia every year and the school now gathers troupes from all over the world for the annual International Circus Festival, “Tini Tinou”, held in Battambang and Phnom Penh.

Although the circus school has garnered much attention in recent years, PPS offers much more. This registered Cambodian NGO, which began in 1986 as a way to help young refugees overcome the trauma of war, is now an all-inclusive socio-cultural center for children and teenagers, offering a number of activities. Tourists can watch classes and lessons provided by the three artistic vocational training schools: performing arts (circus and theatre), visual arts (drawing, painting, computer design and illustration, cartoon animation), and music (traditional and modern). If interested in discovering Cambodia’s visual arts, the tourist can participate in a drawing workshop in the rice fields around Battambang or in one of the old pagodas around the city. A meal can be enjoyed at the onsite restaurant, with everything being prepared and served by members of the community. If staying for more than one day, tourists can enjoy being hosted by a Cambodian family for the night. What makes it special:
Phare Ponleu Selpak is a registered Cambodia NGO that promotes education, community support and entertainment. Circus shows can be enjoyed onsite, along with a number of other cultural and artistic activities. The talent of the children is very impressive and the success stories, one child at a time, are amazing.

What other Hidden Treasures Sites could be seen on the same trip, what other interesting sites can be seen on the same trip: Tourists can enjoy the cultural heritage sites, French colonial buildings and pagodas situated in and around the city of Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city.
Travel distance from other major points of interest (Thai border, P/P, Siem Reap if applicable)
Battambang is located four hours from Phnom Penh and approximately two hours from the Thai border. The road to Siem Reap was recently repaired, reducing travelling time to approximately two hours.

Entrance fee:
USD 8 per person

Hours:
Check performance schedule located on the PPS website. Visual arts exhibitions are usually held at 6:30 pm, while circus performances are held at 7:00 pm.

Available services at the site:
•    Various circus shows performed by community children and teenagers (usually held on Sundays & Thursday; consult website for additional dates/changes)
•    Music and visual art exhibitions produced by community children and teenagers
•    English-speaking guides
•    Accommodation – Home stay

Contact person for booking:
Mr. Mao Kosal – Executive Director
Phone number:012 821 498
Email :inquiries@phareps.org
http://www.phareps.org/

Modes of transport there (e.g. examples of tour operators who go there, is there a bus, car rental, moto-rental, etc.)
Phare Ponleu Selpak can be reached in ten minutes from the main hotels in Battamband, by moto-rental or tuk tuk. It is located 2 km from the city exit.

Tips on making it an enjoyable trip:
The PPS website is updated regularly with the dates of the circus shows that are currently playing. Most shows occur on Thursdays and Sundays, but the schedule should be consulted for any possible changes. Contact information is also provided on the PPS website, and tourists may call or email for any additional information, regarding accommodation or class schedules (if they would like to visit the school).
Map: Marker indicates Battambang airport, not where the Phare Ponle Selapak is located.

Categories: What to Do in Cambodia
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