"La Danse au Fil du Temps": The Princess Buppha Devi Dance School Puts France and Cambodia on the Same Stage

The Princess Buppha Devi Dance School is preparing an original creation, "La Danse au Fil du Temps" ("Dance Through Time"), setting the traditional and popular dances of France and Cambodia side by side. Conceived by His Royal Highness Prince Sisowath Tesso, director of the school, the gala evening is scheduled for October 30, 2026 at Chaktomuk Theatre in Phnom Penh, marking the 22nd anniversary of the reign of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni.

© Ecole de Danse Princesse Buppha Devi

A Francophone backdrop

The performance falls in a landmark year for Cambodian cultural diplomacy: from November 14 to 16, 2026, Cambodia will host the 20th Francophonie Summit, marking the event's return to Asia-Pacific for only the second time in its history, and a first for the Kingdom. King Norodom Sihamoni has said the event reflects Cambodia's wish to reaffirm its commitment to the values of the Francophonie and to share with the wider French-speaking world the distinct character of Francophonie in Asia-Pacific. The summit is expected to strengthen multilateral cooperation among French-speaking countries and give Cambodia an international platform, showcasing its culture and its role in regional and global diplomacy.

A school founded by Princess Buppha Devi

The association was founded by Princess Samdech Preah Reach Botrei Preah Ream Norodom Buppha Devi, a leading figure of the Royal Khmer Ballet, with the aim of promoting Khmer culture abroad. Since her passing in 2019, and at her children's request, Prince Sisowath Tesso has led the school. Classes are now offered free of charge to students from all backgrounds, with a twofold aim: giving the most promising students the chance to perform classical repertoire before an audience, and letting them experience the creation of new, evolving productions.

A show in two movements

"La Danse au Fil du Temps" runs for an hour and a half, built around two parts. The first, devoted to the classical period, brings together the Dance of the God Vishnu, the Dance of the Apsaras, and the Dance of the Sun King, Louis XIV. The second, turning to contemporary and modern repertoire, features waltz and tango, roamvong and cha-cha-cha, madison, rock'n'roll and hip hop — the school's way of setting the dance heritages of both countries in dialogue across the centuries.

The October 30 gala will be followed by two performances open to the general public, on October 31 and November 1, 2026. This new creation follows the school's December 2024 gala, "Zhou Daguan au Royaume de Chenla."

A Franco-Cambodian cast

The production is led by Prince Sisowath Tesso. Classical dance is entrusted to teachers Duk Sytha and Florian Tilly, musical direction to Miwako Fujiwara, and performance to Princess Jenna Norodom. In total, 60 artists from the Princess Buppha Devi Dance School and 15 artists from the Cambodian Dancesport Federation take the stage for this production.

Becoming a partner

The school is offering several partnership tiers to support the production, ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 US dollars, combining visibility across the event's promotional materials and on the Facebook pages of Prince Tesso and the Princess Buppha Devi Dance School (16,000 followers), along with VVIP invitations to the gala evening.

Practical information

Gala evening: Friday, October 30, 2026, Chaktomuk Theatre, Phnom Penh. Public performances: October 31 and November 1, 2026.