STORY: Cambodia gears up for traditional New Year celebrations
SHOOTING TIME: April 11-12, 2024
DATELINE: April 12, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:59
LOCATION: Phnom Penh
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): CHUM SINA, Deliveryman in Phnom Penh
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): LIB KUNSRY, Garment factory worker in Phnom Penh
3. various of Cambodian New Year decorations at Wat Phnom Penh historical site, Independence Monument, and Royal Palace
4. various of people taking the bus to their hometowns
5. various of people taking the ferry across the Mekong River in Phnom Penh
6. various of a bus station and road traffic in Phnom Penh

STORYLINE:

Cambodia is preparing to celebrate its traditional Lunar New Year, the Year of the Dragon, which will start on Saturday.
   
Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers have begun to leave the capital Phnom Penh for their hometowns in various provinces to enjoy the holiday with their family members.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): CHUM SINA, Deliveryman in Phnom Penh
"My hometown is in the Kandieng district of Pursat province. This is a special occasion for a family reunion. I usually visit my hometown twice a year on the occasions of the Pchum Ben festival (Ancestor's Day) and the Cambodian New Year. During the Cambodian New Year, besides meeting with parents and relatives, we can go for a walk, play traditional games, or visit various tourist destinations."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): LIB KUNSRY, Garment factory worker in Phnom Penh
"I'm looking forward to the New Year holiday because I miss my hometown and want to meet my family members. I usually visit my hometown on the occasion of the traditional New Year, the Pchum Ben Festival, and the Water Festival. On the occasion of the traditional New Year, I always give some money and food to my parents and parents-in-law as well as to elderly relatives. Also, I prepare some food and money for monks to dedicate to the dead relatives."
   
During the New Year holidays, people prepare food, fruits and soft drinks on altars and light candles and incense sticks to greet the New Year's angel.
   
Besides, they bring food, cash gifts, and praying stuff to offer to Buddhist monks at pagodas to dedicate to their ancestors and pray for longevity, good luck, happiness, and prosperity in the New Year.
   
Traditional New Year is also the time for young girls and boys to gather and play a variety of traditional games, dancing, and singing in the vicinities of pagodas and tourist resorts throughout the Southeast Asian country.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Phnom Penh.
(XHTV)