Tradition
Independence Day (Cambodia)
Independence Day is celebrated across Cambodia on November 9 each year, marking the end of French colonial rule in 1953.[1] Cambodia gained full independence from France on November 9, 1953, under King Norodom Sihanouk.[2] The Xinhua report carried by The Sun counts almost a century of colonial rule before that date.[3]
Celebration
The main events take place in Phnom Penh, at the Independence Monument and in front of the Royal Palace.[1] National Radio of Cambodia's program for 2024 describes the king lighting the Victory Flame at the monument on November 9 before senior officials, foreign diplomats and students, and a military parade past the Royal Palace, with King Norodom Sihamoni and senior officials of the Senate, the National Assembly and the government watching from a podium.[1] It also describes wreaths laid at the monument and at the memorial statue of King Norodom Sihanouk on the evening of November 9, and fireworks in front of the palace from November 9 to 11.[1] In 2019 the celebration ended on November 11, when the king put out the flame before officials, civil servants, Phnom Penh residents, students and foreign ambassadors.[2]
In 2023, the 70th anniversary, the king laid a wreath and lit the flame inside the monument, then rode with Prime Minister Hun Manet in open cars to the palace for a gathering, and pigeons and balloons were released at the close.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 National Radio of Cambodia, In Chhay, Cambodia will commemorate the 71st anniversary of the National Independence day 1953-2024 (November 8, 2024)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Press and Quick Reaction Unit, Office of the Council of Ministers, His Majesty the King Presides Over the Closing Celebration of 66th Anniversary of Independence Day (November 11, 2019)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Sun (Malaysia), Cambodia marks 70th Independence Day, vowing to stay united as one (2023), from Xinhua and Bernama