The 28th of December holds a singular place in the Cambodian calendar. Much more than a day of commemoration, it embodies a decisive turning point in the recent history of the kingdom: the return to peace, the end of an era of fratricidal fighting, and the reconstruction of a wounded nation.

Into the Light: The Retrieved Paintings of Phnom Penh’s Silver Pagoda — the exhibition at the Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum of the Economy and Money (SOSORO) of the National Bank of Cambodia — is shining with remarkable success.

Christmas originated as a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, believed to be the Son of God and Savior in Christian faith. The date of December 25 was chosen to coincide with Roman pagan winter solstice festivals, allowing early Christians to integrate their celebration with existing cultural practices.

Communities of the Cambodian diaspora from Paris to Montréal, Sydney, Long Beach and Seoul have mobilized with unprecedented fervor in response to the escalating military actions by Thailand against Cambodia.

Yi Sarun, a towering figure in Cambodian tennis whose name became synonymous with the sport’s resilience and revival, has died at the age of 81 after a long illness on December 19, 2025. Born in 1945 into a humble family, Sarun rose to become one of Cambodia’s greatest tennis players, survived the brutal Khmer Rouge era, and later dedicated his life to passing on his passion to younger generations.

As Christmas bells ring to herald the festive season — evoking angels’ praises, joyful carols, and the arrival of Santa Claus — the Mekong River has taken on a far more somber role for villagers along its banks in Stung Treng province. In late 2025, its waters have become a silent witness to conflict and upheaval.

Battambang, Cambodia — In 1999, a nine-year-old girl from a humble background electrified the nation by claiming to be the reincarnation of Princess Sisanmoni, who disappeared in 1975 under the Khmer Rouge. She went further, asserting, “I know the name of my killer,” igniting a supernatural manhunt that blurs history and myth.

Raphaël Seyfried, an Alsatian artist who has lived in Cambodia for a decade, has turned his lifelong passion for drawing into a unique creative journey: the Travel Rolls. Inspired by ancient scrolls, these illustrated rolls vividly capture the spirit of Cambodia, portraying everything from Apsara dancers and Angkor’s temples to the colors and movement of Khmer street food.

Since arriving in Cambodia two years ago, French artist Cécile, also known as Celie’s Blue Garden, has been capturing the energy, culture and spirit of the Kingdom through her vibrant watercolor works. Her art — a blend of traditional watercolor techniques with delicate pointillism in Chinese ink — brings to life the country’s streets, dances and ancient legends with striking emotion and color.

At the heart of Kampot’s bustling creative scene, a new artisanal hub is making waves. Craft Baitang & Friends, founded by Noémie and Catherine, is quickly becoming a focal point for local craftsmanship, transforming natural materials like wood and shells into jewelry, games, and decorative pieces that radiate authentic Cambodian spirit.

Met at the CULT market, discover Alban, a perfumer from Grasse who has been based in Cambodia for 12 years, creating custom fragrances for hotels, casinos, and boutiques. From ambient diffusers to 20% concentrated cosmetics, his unique scents—sweet, fruity—captivate the senses, with a shop and shower gels on the way. Ideal for unforgettable Christmas gifts!

The celebrated French electro-brass ensemble FÜLÜ is arriving in Phnom Penh this January for an electrifying performance that promises to be one of the highlights of the city's cultural calendar. Taking the stage at Chew & Bash — the vibrant music venue in the Coconut Park building on Koh Pich Island — FÜLÜ will bring their distinctive musical style to Cambodia on Saturday, 10 January 2026, starting at 7:00 PM.

On November 28, 2025, Cambodia marked a major milestone in the development of French language education with the official inauguration of the National Center for French Learning. The ceremony celebrated not only a new educational institution but also the deepening of cultural, linguistic, and educational ties between Cambodia and the Francophone world.

In the Cambodian lands of laterite and rice fields, an expatriate, rooted here for ten years, watches with alarm the peril of a border conflict with Thailand. In Kampot, rocked by the river and green pepper, the sound of weapons shakes the harmony of a region united by culture and history.

Pierre-Yves Clais is above all a man of the field, deeply connected to Cambodia for more than three decades. A former blue helmet who arrived in a country scarred by war, he saw the nation reborn and threw himself body and soul into its reconstruction. His attachment to the Khmer land today goes far beyond that of a simple foreign observer: he has become a witness, an actor, and a defender of its living history.

The French of the World – ADFE, Cambodia section has just sent a solemn letter to the French government calling for France to speak out forcefully in the face of the loss of human life, massive displacement of populations, and the destruction of world heritage in Cambodia.

In this opinion, we honor the Cambodian war heroes who fought on the frontlines against Thai military aggression. It highlights the extreme challenges faced during night missions in the jungle, where courage and discipline matter more than advanced technology. This piece celebrates the resilience of a nation confronting extraordinary hardship.

Florian Bohême, after more than a decade in Cambodia—his second home—shares here an intimate and candid reflection on the border tensions shaking the region. Settled in Phnom Penh, a consular adviser and entrepreneur passionate about hospitality, the author observes the human tragedies: more than 200,000 displaced on each side, bombardments on sacred sites, and an escalation around the Preah Vihear temple that reopens historical wounds.

The two performances of the Phnom Penh International Opera Festival on December 12 and 14, 2025, at the NABA Theatre were of exceptional quality, captivating the audience with the emotional intensity of Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

At the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) in Phnom Penh, art and faith came together this week as students, faculty and staff held a solemn prayer event dedicated to Cambodian soldiers standing firm on a volatile border.

As the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia intensifies, a generation of young people on both sides finds itself caught between nationalism, digital propaganda and a deep longing for peace. For many youths, the war is no longer a distant political dispute: it is lived daily through social media feeds, disrupted friendships, and uncertain futures.

The confrontation between Thailand and Cambodia has shifted from the border trenches to the world’s screens and news feeds. As deadly exchanges of fire continue along their disputed frontier, Bangkok has crafted an influential communication strategy in which disinformation, rapid responses, and privileged access to global media outlets are deployed as strategic tools.

As tensions flare again between Cambodia and Thailand, UNESCO — the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization — has voiced serious concern about the situation, especially regarding the Preah Vihear Temple, a priceless World Heritage site and centuries-old testament to Khmer civilization.

Since assuming power, Thailand’s newly‑elected Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has rapidly positioned himself as a hard‑line leader determined to prove his strength — a stance that has come at a heavy cost for Cambodia and deepened tensions along their shared border.