#74 – Unexpected Song
Lives in Cambodia beyond the Headlines
Sou Sdei and welcome to Campuccino, your fortnightly dispatch of key headlines in Cambodia with a dash of opinion.
To new subscribers, welcome! I’m Darathtey, a communication consultant, writer, and researcher. Learn more about my work here.
Did I say it was hot in the last newsletter? Well, it is even hotter now. I’ve never missed torrential rain so much! For those living in the region and suffering from this heat wave, stay hydrated! I’m a little less than two weeks away from doing one of the craziest things I’ve ever done in my life. What would be crazier than packing up my life in two suitcases to move to a country I’d never been to or pushing through a mountain hike with dengue fever, you may ask? Well, I’m going to compete in my first ever Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament in Bangkok after roughly seven months of training from zero. Am I nervous? Hell yeah. Do I want to back out? Definitely. Am I actually gonna go through with it? I guess you’ll have to read the next issue to find out. Now, on to the news…
- Darathtey
In this issue: some headlines you may need to know and a whole lot of art and culture stuff 🫠
This week’s newsletter is going to be a bit different than usual because lots of headlines I’ve read in the process of brainstorming for this issue feel very dry at best. I also received some comments from friends that Campuccino can be bleak at times due to its collation of unpleasant news. If I’m being completely honest, I find it very difficult to stay cheery and optimistic in the current political climate or even the actual climate, both at home and globally, but I want you, dear readers, to know that I try. Hence, this week's newsletter will read like this: I will list news headlines that I think are important without my two cents. I will, instead, focus more on the art and culture section – the section I know many of you enjoy and I call the good stuff section. I believe in beauty in the midst of chaos and a small glimpse of hope in our chaotic world because after all, I am a cynical idealist.
Headlines you may need to know
Principal Urges Study Hours be Cut Amid Heatwave 🔗
Military Officials Are Investigating Munitions Warehouse Blast That Killed 20 Soldiers, Wounded Several Others 🔗
ADB Highlights Post-LDC Graduation Challenges for Cambodia 🔗
Diplomacy: China and Cambodia have once again demonstrated their commitment to a strong and enduring partnership 🔗
Visually Pleasing
Arts & Culture
🎶 If you know me or have read my research work or book, you would know that I am a strong advocate for a new representation of Cambodia beyond temples and trauma. However, I do believe that in order to move on, we need to understand and reconcile with the past – a process that is deeply personal and unique for each Cambodian. Unexpected Song is a musical feature film by the young generation of Cambodian artists and creatives carving out a space for their side of the story. They’re in the process of doing post-production fundraising right now and I would like to endorse this project. Go check it out and share some love :)
🍚 I know I should know not to expect much from Condé Nast’s Ask a Local style: Tasty guide to Phnom Penh, but my curiosity got the better of me so I clicked on it (also it may be because their local is Chef Nak). This was the list: Central Market, Kravanh, Villa 5, Sora. Ha ha ha…
I guess Condé Nast and I have a different segment of locals in mind. That makes me wonder, would you like my personal to-eat list in Phnom Penh? If you do, let me know by hitting reply.
💄 I often receive appreciation emails from readers saying that my newsletter provides them with a window to Cambodia. Guess who’s my window to Cambodia’s trends among young people? My Gen Z sister. Sometimes I woke up to celebrity gossip or trends on Cambodia social media that I did not understand. More than half of the time, my sister would be able to catch me up on that. This time around it is this #asokamakeup challenge that seems to have started on TikTok and spilled over to Cambodia’s social media space including Facebook and Instagram. I mention this because I do love the adaptation of the trend by local artists although my sister and I question the potential virality of the adaptation due to the delicate and not very accessible costumes. My two favourite ones are by Lim Sonalis and ChaCha.
🙏🏽 In April, Cambodia said farewell to a revered history educator Professor Sambo Manara who passed away at the age of 67. I was one of his students. Despite not agreeing with everything he said or taught, he held a highly respectable place in my mind. It is indisputable that a lot of the history books I was forced to read in my freshman year were because of his disciplined way of teaching. Rest in Peace, Professor.
🎨 Another farewell involves the closing of Sa Sa Art Projects after 14 years of operation. The decision was driven by the lack of core funding to cover the annual operational cost. This is a setback for the already small visual arts community in the country, but I am hoping that the end of one journey is the beginning of many exciting new ones.
Worth Reading
Powering a Kingdom | By Stew Post
If you’re curious about how Cambodia powers itself and the plan to move toward renewable energy in the future, this conversation with Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak might enlighten you.
How microloans exacerbate deforestation in Cambodia | By Jack Brook and Eung Sea
In Cambodia, microloans are used by farmers to compensate for crop failures or invest in small farms. However, this can lead to a cycle of debt where farmers resort to illegal deforestation to repay the loans. This deforestation is causing problems in protected areas like Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary and Sre Preah. While the microfinance industry claims they don't fund illegal activities, evidence suggests they are indirectly contributing to deforestation.
Campuccino is a fortnightly dispatch of key headlines in Cambodia, written by @DarathteyDin.
I’d love to hear from you. If you have feedback or content ideas, please write to me at hello@darathteydin.com
To eat list pls!!!
Definitely interested in a to-eat list in Phnom Penh! :)