Siem Reap –A circus without animals? More than 600 people in stood up and applauded the night I attended Cambodia’s Phare Circus. Cambodia’s circus traditions date back to the 6th century. When Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975 they abolished all forms of art, culture and creative expression. Artists were murdered because they were considered to be outspoken and non conformists. When the Vietnamese liberated the country in 1979 and the Khmer Rouge was driven into hiding in the jungles, eight young Cambodians who had been living in a refugee camp on the Thai border decided to help their country by reviving the art and culture.

In 1994 the group established Phare Ponleu Selpak a school for visual and performing arts in Battambang, Cambodia. They recruited students from disadvantaged economic and social backgrounds, providing food, education, training and jobs. Today 1400 students attend the school in Battambang. Many have moved on to international performing careers or went on to study at colleges and universities. Pursuing dreams they never thought possible.

Graduates of the school can be seen performing nightly under it’s big top tent in Siem Reap. Cambodia’s version of Cirque du Soleil is Cambodian life and stories told through acrobatics, music, dance and theatre.

The Phare Circus does not receive government funding. It is totally self sufficient through performances and donations, For tickets and information: https://pharecircus.org/