Celebrating the Second Anniversary of Phare Circus

By Emily Martin

It’s been two awesome years since Phare Performing Social Enterprise was founded and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank all our loyal supporters, partners and fans. We can say, without a doubt – we would not be here today without your backing. From the first performance on a small, outdoor stage, to the nightly, sold-out shows in the big top, you’ve been with us the whole way and for that we want to thank you.

Dara Hout has been the CEO of PPSE since its creation in 2013 and has been a driving force behind the organisation. He’s a former student himself from Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPSA), our mother NGO and so holds the growth and development of both PPSA and PPSE very close to his heart.

“It’s been an amazing 2 years since the first performance in an outdoor venue at Phare. The enterprise has followed the success and numerous milestones achieved within the 20 years of PPSA. Throughout this time thousands of lives have been transformed through arts, education and social support.

Just this year we have provided substantial income and career opportunities to approximately 60 professional and student artists working at Phare, The Cambodian Circus as well as in private events in Cambodia and abroad. Through these opportunities they are able to develop their artistic careers while also supporting themselves and their families. A recent survey on the employment of artists in Cambodia reveals that Circus artists receive the highest pay compared to other arts forms.

We are commemorating two years of the birth of Phare Performing Social Enterprise. An important step in the creation of sustainable careers in arts and culture for Cambodian artists, contributing in the revival of Cambodian performing arts and also aiding the financial sustainability of our mother NGO’s social, artistic training projects. We have inspired many Cambodians and people all over the world visiting Siem Reap with the positive energy and hope they find in Phare’s artists through their love, smiles and promising futures.

We are celebrating each and every individual artist and person in our team for their hard work, dedication, personal and career development with Phare, The Cambodian Circus.

In 2015, we continue to strive to achieve our financial and social impacts. We aim to provide even more jobs to young Cambodian artists and be able to support PPSA even further. We will be making very strong financial support to our mother organization, Phare Ponleu Selpak, as well as to Cambodian economy. We will continue to give positive energy to our audiences, a smile on their faces and inspiration to young underprivileged Cambodians to overcome adversities in their lives thanks to Phare artists as roles models.

In this NEW YEAR for us, I want to share with you the message in SOKHA written by Mr. KHUON Det, Phare Ponleu Selpak’s co-founder – to wish you and everyone, especially children, anywhere in the world to have PEACE, physically, mentally and socially.

“I look forward to continue growing our PHARE family with you in 2015.”

Rattanak is one of the talented circus artists performing in Siem Reap as part of the ‘Chills’ troupe. He’s 29 years old and has been training as a circus artist since his early 20’s.

Hello Everyone. My name is Ung Rattanak. Today, as Phare Performing Social Enterprise is celebrating its 2^nd Anniversary, I would like to wish the social enterprise more success, prosperity and be more stable for the children and the coming generations of Cambodian youths.

I also would like to thank the Social enterprise for my job which is my source of income and helps make my life better.

Lastly, I would like to thank the management who dedicated hard work in establishing this Social enterprise. Without all of you, we are not here today.

Again, thank you all so much!

At the end of last year (2014) we had a successful fundraising drive to help raise funds for our much-needed new home. In the coming year we’ll be creating and moving into this new venue with the vision of continuing to provide a stable, safe and inspiring platform for our artists to grow and thrive.

We’ll see you soon under the big top – Oorcun Churran!