At the opening ceremony of Pactics’s new factory in Siem Reap last year, our guests and employees were treated to the sight of beautiful giant puppets on display all across our grounds.
It is once again time for the return of the giant puppet, and Pactics is glad to continue its support of the annual Giant Puppet Project, the largest local community arts project bringing joy and wonder to over 600 children in Cambodia.
The Giant Puppet Project was co-founded by architect Stuart Cochlin, who is also the talent behind the design of Pactics’ new sustainable and environmentally-friendly facility in Siem Reap. Now entering its ninth year, this community arts and outreach program for underprivileged children in Siem Reap creates an important sense of community building.
“This is something that is important for this town, and therefore it is important for us to sponsor and support it. When you look at the parade, and the pleasure it gives to the children, it really seems to be the highlight of their year, and this is very encouraging and gratifying for us.”
Piet Holten, President of Pactics
The Giant Puppet Project was created to spread cooperation, self-expression, confidence, and community-building through art. Teams consist of children from a wide range of local NGOs, volunteer supervisors and artists from the renowned Phare Ponleu Seplak Visual Arts School in Battambang. Workshops span two weeks, in which teams come together to under the guidance of Phare artists to build and decorate giant puppets using rattan. The project culminates with a wondrous parade through the streets of Siem Reap, during which all the children and volunteers flaunt their creations proudly to the eyes of thousands.
After having sponsored the previous animals of the Chinese zodiac, this year, Pactics is the proud sponsor of an amazing goat puppet, representing the Chinese Year of the Goat. But Pactics’ involvement in the Giant Puppet Project doesn’t end there. The beautiful LED lights used to illuminate all the puppets from within are happily provided by Pactics, and every year during the parade, employees from Pactics will line the streets as volunteer stewards.
We are grateful for Friends International and Salariin Kampuchea whose teams constructed the majestic goat puppet! Join us and the rest of Siem Reap in the Old Market Area at 7pm on Feb 21 and prepare to be awed!
