This 10.5-metre-long, 2.2-metre-wide and 60-centimetre-thick Chapei Dang Veng was paraded and placed yesterday at “My Village”, north of Bayon Temple.

The exhibition of Chapei Dang Veng is aimed to congratulate its inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Nov. 30, 2016, as well as to promote this traditional musical instrument.

Chapei Dang Veng’s repertoire includes traditional poems, fork tales and Buddhist stories. The performances are often comic in nature with the lyrics aiming to amuse the audience.

Fifth of its kind since its origination in 2013, the Angkor Sangkranta 2017 will fall on April 14-16 – the ordinary days of the Khmer New Year anticipated by all Cambodians. The event will be officially opened tomorrow under the presidency of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and his spouse Samdech Kittiprittbandit Bun Rany Hun Sen.

Angkor Sankranta is organised annually to celebrate the Khmer Traditional New Year in Siem Reap province, home to the famous Angkor temples. It is aimed to show off the solidarity of the Cambodian family as a whole and to contribute to maintaining Cambodian tradition, culture and custom.

Last year’s event featured two giant traditional cakes – Num Treap Bay and Num Ple Ay.

By So Sophavy