PHARE, The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap

Phare Ponleu Selpak Association in Siem Reap Project (PPSASR) is an offshoot project of Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS Association) which translates as "Brightness of the Arts" in English. More than just a circus, the performers of PHARE, the Cambodian Circus use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent. Phare artists are students and graduates from Phare Ponleu Selpak's vocational training centre in Battambang. The association was formed 20 years ago by 8 young men coming home from a refugee camp after the Khmer Rouge regime. They were greatly helped by art therapy and wanted to share this new skill among the poor, socially deprived and troubled youngsters in Battambang. Today more than 1,200 pupils attend the public school daily and 500 attend the art schools.
Phare, The Cambodian Circus offers these students and graduates somewhere to hone their skills and a place to earn a decent wage. Some money that will take them out of poverty and give them self-respect and freedom.