Cambodia & Advisors of French Citizens Abroad: Lyvann LOEUK — A cultural bridge-builder, a committed candidate for the French community in the Kingdom

A gallery owner, artistic director, and man of action, Lyvann LOEUK embodies a unique and deeply human vision of what civic engagement can be within the French community in Cambodia.

Lyvann LOEUK

Franco-Cambodian, he has always lived between two cultures and now considers Cambodia fully his home. A candidate on the “Relais citoyen des Français du Cambodge” list for the election of Advisors of French Citizens Abroad, he carries a clear ambition: to build connections, bring communities closer together, and take concrete action for everyone.

Can you briefly introduce yourself — your background, education, and personal story?

I am a Franco-Cambodian gallery owner and artistic director, working between France and Cambodia. Coming from a family involved in the art world for several decades, I grew up within Galerie Lee in Paris, founded by my father in 1995 in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, before gradually taking over its artistic direction and communication.

My career also began in media and audiovisual production, notably at RTL and later in companies linked to TF1. This experience in communication and visual storytelling still influences the way I design cultural and artistic projects today.

For over fifteen years, I have been developing projects around contemporary Cambodian and Asian art in Europe, with the aim of creating cultural bridges between France and Cambodia, highlighting a new generation of artists blending memory, spirituality, urban life, and contemporary identity.

How long have you been living in Cambodia, and what brought you to settle in this country?

I have been living in Cambodia for three years now with my daughter. Being of Cambodian origin through my father, I have always maintained a strong connection with this country and with the Cambodian artists I have been working with for more than ten years.

I have lived between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, where I co-founded an art gallery in 2018 to support the local art scene and encourage exchanges between Cambodian artists, collectors, and the international public.

Today, I see my journey between France and Cambodia as a true cultural and human bridge between two countries to which I am deeply attached.

Lyvann LOEUK

What motivated you to run in this election? What was the trigger?

My candidacy was all driven by a desire to become more involved in the life of the French community in Cambodia. Through my cultural, artistic, and entrepreneurial background, I identified several important issues related to culture, education, and dialogue between the French and Cambodian communities.

By joining the “Relais citoyen des Français du Cambodge,” I was immediately drawn to this collective, volunteer-driven, and grassroots-oriented approach, through an initial electoral commitment. We share the same goal: to be useful, accessible, and to create stronger connections within our community.

The French community in Cambodia is diverse — entrepreneurs, teachers, retirees, families, young expatriates. How do you plan to represent this diversity?

The French community in Cambodia is indeed very diverse, with very different backgrounds and realities. I believe that culture, education, and collective projects are essential drivers for creating stronger connections between people and bringing communities closer together.

Through my artistic and cultural background, I have had the opportunity to meet a wide variety of profiles, both within the French and Cambodian communities. This diversity is a strength and deserves to be represented with openness, listening, and goodwill.

What is your vision for strengthening France’s cultural and linguistic influence in Cambodia?

I believe that France’s cultural and linguistic influence in Cambodia depends above all on increased exchanges, collaborations, and projects accessible to younger generations.

Culture, contemporary art, cinema, music, and educational events are powerful tools to keep the French language alive in a modern and dynamic way. Cambodia currently has an extremely rich creative scene, driven by a new generation of artists and cultural entrepreneurs who deserve support and recognition.

If elected, I would like to contribute to developing accessible cultural projects that create stronger connections between French and Cambodian communities — particularly around art, heritage, and contemporary creation — in collaboration with French cultural institutions present in Cambodia.

French language education also plays an essential role, both for French families living here and for many Cambodian families. It is important to continue addressing issues of accessibility and tuition costs, while maintaining a high level of educational quality.

How do you plan to maintain regular contact with French citizens in Cambodia and support local initiatives?

I aim to maintain regular and accessible contact with French citizens in Cambodia through various communication tools, particularly our Telegram channel, which allows simple and direct exchanges on everyday matters.

But I also strongly believe in the importance of human interaction and collective projects. Through culture, events, local initiatives, and exchanges between entrepreneurs, artists, associations, and residents, it is possible to strengthen connections within our community.

I am also convinced that creativity, culture, and local initiatives can play an important role in economic attractiveness and dynamism between France and Cambodia. Finally, issues such as social protection and access to certain administrative procedures remain essential for many French residents here and deserve practical and human-centered attention.

What message would you like to send to French citizens in Cambodia who are still hesitant to vote?

It is essential to vote, as the elected representatives will represent French citizens in Cambodia for the next six years.

I am proud to be part of a team made up of very diverse profiles, each committed in their respective fields, with a genuine desire to take concrete action for our community. I strongly believe in grassroots projects, human connections, and sincere commitments that translate into real actions.