For centuries, the elegant movements of the Apsara dance have embodied Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage. Now, CamEd Business School C-Artistic Club is bringing this tradition to life with an exclusive event: “Khmer Ballet Apsara Ritual”, with the support of ItaCham.
This captivating experience will dive into the history and significance of Apsara, offering a mesmerizing blend of storytelling and dance performances that will transport you into Cambodia’s artistic past.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025
⏰ Time: 12:45 PM – 5:25 PM
📍 Venue: CamEd Business School, Benjamin Discussion Room (11th Floor, West Building)
About the Event
The jewelry worn by Khmer dancers during the Royal Ballet is more than just decoration—it is a symbol of divine grace, cultural identity, and spiritual connection. Inspired by the celestial Apsaras depicted in Angkorian bas-reliefs, each piece of jewelry plays a vital role in enhancing the elegance and sacredness of the performance.
Dancers adorn themselves with intricately crafted gold or gold-plated ornaments, including the “mokot” (crown), “sangkiet” (ear cuffs), “klot” (armlets), “sbai” (decorative sash), and “kong rak” (bracelets and anklets). These pieces are often designed with delicate floral and mythical motifs, reflecting Cambodia’s artistic heritage and spiritual beliefs. The jewelry does not only amplify the dancer’s beauty but also signifies their transformation into celestial beings, embodying grace, purity, and the blessings of the gods.
Each element of the jewelry is carefully chosen to maintain the authenticity and grandeur of the Khmer Royal Ballet, a tradition that has been preserved for centuries as a tribute to Cambodia’s royal and cultural legacy.
During the event, there will be a famous Khmer artist who designs and crafts these jewels, together with the presence of Il Nodo, an NGO founded by Italians and operating in Phnom Penh.
The founders of Il Nodo are designers who recognized the beauty of the great Khmer artistic tradition and its potential to help younger generations build on that foundation. Il Nodo has always believed that design is a powerful innovator, feeding creativity and stimulating students to enhance their innate artisan skills, which allows them to produce unique products of greater aesthetic and formal quality.
With Life design, Il Nodo have created a concrete way to help Cambodian workers: artistic objects are more salable and more suitable for the international market. As a result, local artisans are increasingly in demand.
This event represents an opportunity to explore Khmer cultural treasures linking to Italian expertise for jewelry and design, and cultural heritage.
