A parade of giant puppets on a street in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This event was held here on Saturday evening, attracting crowds of domestic and foreign tourists. -- Photo by Sao Khuth/Xinhua
SIEM REAP, Cambodia (Xinhua): A giant puppet parade was held here in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap cultural province on Saturday evening, attracting domestic and foreign tourists.
The puppets marched down the streets of Siem Reap City, where thousands of spectators cheered with musicians and performers who lightened the night with joy and delight.
Oun Savann, co-director of the Giant Puppet Project, said a total of nine giant puppets hit the streets of Siem Reap City, home to the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park.
"Those giant puppets include Hindu deity Garuda, elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha, golden mermaid, demigod Asura, mythological half-human and half-bird girl Kinnaree, legendary sea creature Makara, Hanuman, lion, and dragon," he told Xinhua.
"Accompanied by circus, performers and live music, the parade is a true spectacle and a time for pure fun," he added.
Savann said the Giant Puppet Project, the largest children's community arts initiative, has been teaching children and youth that arts can enrich their lives, give voice to their imaginations, ignite pride in their rich heritage, and unite their communities.
"This annual project has not only contributed to enriching Cambodia's cultural and artistic landscape, but also helped attract more tourists to Siem Reap province," he said.
Savann said the puppets were designed by the Puppet Artist Team from Phare Ponleu Selpak's Visual Arts School in Battambang province and jointly made by hundreds of children from local non-governmental organizations and schools.
The giant puppet parade was first introduced to streets in Siem Reap in 2007. - Xinhua
