Siem Reap Puppet Parade
The Siem Reap Puppet parade is an annual event for the children of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The Giant Puppet Project is a local children’s community arts project and is the largest of its kind in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The creation of a team of local ex-pats living in Cambodia.
It provides a creative platform for disadvantaged children to foster and promote self expression and confidence through art.
In the ancient style of Chinese dragon puppets, each organization proudly carries and exhibits their creation. The children are applauded and cheered for the duration of the parade by an enormous crowd. The crowd grows annually from the local communities as well as host of international tourists.
Biggest Event for the Children in Siem Reap
It is by far the biggest event of the year for the children attending the projects. There are four weeks of workshops building the puppets. Finally culminating in a magical night where the children get to parade their creations through the streets. Onlookers cheer the parade and the giant puppets, lighting up the children's faces.
Most of the children are amongst the most marginalised in Seim Reap. This is their night where they are the focus of the whole town. Some of the children who live just 5kms away have never visited the town let alone been the reason for this amazing night in Siem Reap.
This is their magical night of recognition by the town and visiting tourists.
The children are allowed that rare privilege of self expression and creativity for three weeks whilst making their puppets. Recycled materials are used in the puppets that all have their own message such as “toothbrush man”, “road safety puppet” and "endangered species".
If you want to be part of the Siem Reap Puppet Parade, you can can volunteer with Globalteer. Just visit our Cambodia Community Project page and let us know that you want to be part of this amazing event!