Menjelang Pameran Lire En Fete

Thursday, November 24, 2005
Lire En Fete
Yesterday is the launching of a book show on “Lire en fete” held by CCF in Phnom Penh, as of that on “IKAPI” in Indonesia. At 2:00pm, exhibitors displayed their books on the tables and on the premises of their exhibition rooms. There were so many people visiting the show, but I observed that most of them did not represent all levels of Cambodian people because they are just only foreigners and the persons representing middle class in Cambodia.

“There is a tiny middle class in Cambodia, most are poor and a few are very rich” said John. I joined with the stand of “Bande Desinee Khmere” (Cambodian Comics). This stand did not have many Cambodian comics except for those I took from Indonesia it displayed the portfolios of [Federation Comics Group] RUFA students. The exhibition closed at 7:00pm and the event continued at CCF café with the participation of French ambassador to Cambodia.

The exhibition’s visitors were also limited for what they read or needed such as study and entertainment books. Therefore, the Indonesian comics whose language is strange, in their opinions, could not arouse their interest. Some people, after opening and reading the comics, asked me why not translated into English. I replied, “Oh! That’s right.”

The youth fondness for reading books here is in low supply; and the book publication is small scale. Most of publication is about the achievements of government; so it is difficult to publish the comics or cartoons. As a matter of fact, Cambodia has had its history of comics since 1960s, such as short romances and ghost comics republished until now without payment for writers at all. In Cambodia, there are not many comics translated from foreign languages, even the domestic comics except for those of some NGOs such as Heritage Watch. However, from a small community met together yesterday at Book Federation, it is most likely to start a new and content thing; and there has not been too much inflow from abroad recently.

The Exhibition of Lire En Fete
In reality, I am now so busy but I still have an opportunity to write. At 2:00am the opening ceremony of “Lire En Fete” exhibition starts in CCF; and I am ready to keep the stand of Indonesian comics. I do not bring a lot of Indonesian comics for the exhibition but they are enough for representing modern comics. I brought copied comics of mine and of NGOs to show to visitors. I am waiting for the decision of Indonesian embassy to Phnom Penh in helping translate for the program of “Questions & Answers” in the exhibition. On Saturday, I must prepare a seminar for Cambodian youth.