Cambodia circus festival plans two-city arts route for visitors
The 13th Tini Tinou festival will feature more than 100 artists and performers, with organisers seeking longer tourist stays beyond Angkor.
An arts route joining Siem Reap with Battambang will form part of Cambodia’s Tini Tinou International Circus Festival, scheduled for November 17–24. Phare Ponleu Selpak and the Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) announced the plans on October 20, saying they wanted contemporary culture to encourage visitors to extend their trips.
Called the “Angkor to Arts Corridor”, the initiative connects the two cities through performances and public activities. The Siem Reap programme runs from November 17–19, with Phare, The Cambodian Circus serving as the main venue. Pub Street, Royal Garden and Treeline Hotel are also due to host pop-up shows.
Battambang takes over from November 21–24, hosting events on the Phare Ponleu Selpak campus and in public locations. Plans include a street parade travelling between Independence Monument and Seh Sor Roundabout, giant puppets, evening shows and a market for arts and crafts.
Organisers said the programme would include a new collaboration pairing Phare with Australia’s ARC Circus, receiving its world premiere. NÄSS, by French choreographer Fouad Boussouf, is scheduled for its first Cambodian performance, while Company Aye Panik will present vertical dance. The Circus Asia Network’s annual general meeting will accompany the public programme.
CTB chief executive officer Kim Minea said the board would help promote the festival internationally through its Matching Grant Programme. No allocation for Tini Tinou was disclosed. Organisers said the schedule around the Water Festival holiday would allow domestic and overseas travellers to visit both cities.
