【Cambodia Trip Day1】 From World Intangible Cultura
On April 30th, the International Silk Union(ISU) delegation arrived in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. Phnom Penh has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security, politics, cultural heritage, and diplomacy of Cambodia, also once known as the "Oriental Paris".
The weather was fine on May 1st, ISU delegation began the first day of their trip, accompanied by Ms. Seng Takakneary, Sentosa Silk Director and several staffs from Cambodia Ministry of Commerce(Moc).
Firstly, ISU delegation visited Main Office of Silk Association of Cambodia in Tekeo Province.
Group photo in front of main office of Silk Association of Cambodia
Communication with local craftsmen
Silk fabrics and scarves
Nowadays, there are hundreds of household workshops in Tekeo Province, and the traditional handmade fabrics of each workshop have their own features. Each family collect their fabrics, and bring them to Main Office of Silk Association of Cambodia for sale.
Then, ISU delegation visited the largest silk household workshop in Tekeo Province. The owner is the fourth generations of this workshop, and he introduced the historical changes of the workshop. The pattern of their fabric is considered as one of the most traditional characteristics of Cambodia, and the workshop has been awarded World Intangible Cultural Heritage certification by UNESCO.
Vice Agriculture Minister of Cambodia (Right) with ISU Secretary General (Left)
The traditional manual weaving
Vice Agriculture Minister of Cambodia with ISU Members
Silk weavers and weaving process
At noon, ISU delegation experienced the local characteristic foods, it is a custom in cambodia that sitting on the floor while eating.
After lunch break, ISU delegation returned to Phnom Penh, and visit the glorious Royal Palace. Then the delegation visited the Sentosa silk shop, which is in excellent location, just next to the Royal Palace.
Sentosa Silk, member unit of ISU, was found in 2004. Mrs. Seng Takakneary, Founder and Executive Director of Sentosa Silk expressed, the initial purpose of the company is to collect manual workshop products, and further explore the potential of the Cambodia Silk Industry. They have gathered silk handmade products from a total of six provinces so far,which are mainly made by women and disabled craftsmen. At present, Sentosa silk products have got International Quality Certification and exported to Japan, Europe and many other countries.
Sentosa Silk Products
From World Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop to International Quality Certification Silk Brand, Sentosa Silk has become a typical representative of Cambodia silk industry recovery, and a guide of traditional silk to enter international market.
Although the foundation of Cambodia silk industry is weak, they expressed the hope that they except to get investment opportunities form China silk enterprise through the platform of International Silk Union, then revive Cambodia silk industry.
The traditional manual weaving industry has gradually declined, and the loom in their workshop reduced to 6 from 40. He expresses that he hope to learn and absorb more advanced silk textile technology inChina , however it is difficult to afford the fee, so he expects China silk enterprises will be interested in and invest their products.
industry has gradually declined, and the loom in their workshop reduced to 6 from 40. He expresses that he hope to learn and absorb more advanced silk textile technology in China , however it is difficult to afford the fee, so he expects China silk enterprises will be interested in and invest their products.