Nokor Reach
Nokor Reach is the national anthem of Cambodia.[1] David Chandler translates its name as “Royal City.”[1] Its words call for the king's protection, recall the kingdom through temples in the forest and affirm Buddhist faith.[1]
Recording: United States Navy Band, public domain.[2]
Writing and adoption
The anthem dates from 1939, during the French Protectorate, with words by Chuon Nath.[1] Chandler credits Francois Perrichot with composing the melody from a Cambodian folk tune.[1] King Sisowath Monivong sponsored it in May 1939; Chandler dates its proclamation as the national anthem to 1942.[1] Chandler suggests that French authorities initially viewed its focus on Cambodia's past as overlooking French protection, but that its image of a nation awaiting renewal later suited the Vichy regime.[1]
Replacement and return
Norodom Sihanouk kept the anthem after leaving the throne in 1955.[1] It was replaced by the Khmer Republic's anthem in 1970 and restored with the monarchy in 1993.[1] Article 6 of the Constitution of Cambodia, in its 1993 text revised in 2008, says that Annexes 1, 2 and 3 define Cambodia's flag, anthem and coat of arms.[3] The Khmer text of the Constitution prints the anthem's words in Annex 2.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Penopp, David Chandler, “A nation built on the rule of song” (April 18, 2017)
- ↑ Wikimedia Commons, United States Navy Band - Nokoreach.ogg
- ↑ Constitute Project, Cambodia 1993 (rev. 2008), Article 6
- ↑ Open Development Cambodia, Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia (2008), Khmer text, Annex 2, PDF page 69
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