The Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) has introduced a series of free weekly performances showcasing Kun Lbokator and Lkhon Sbek Thom at two well-known sites in Siem Reap. The programme offers visitors a chance to engage with Cambodia's living heritage in ways that go beyond the usual temple sightseeing.

The inaugural performances took place on September 18 and 19, with a Kun Lbokator display at the Terrace of the Elephants inside Angkor Archaeological Park and a Lkhon Sbek Thom, or traditional Khmer shadow puppet theatre, staged along the Siem Reap River.

According to the CTB, the initiative brings two art forms recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity into open public spaces, allowing audiences to experience them in surroundings deeply tied to the Kingdom's history and its modern tourism landscape.

Schedule and Admission

Kun Lbokator will take place every Friday from 4.30pm to 5.30pm at the Terrace of the Elephants, while Lkhon Sbek Thom will be performed along the Siem Reap River every Saturday from 7pm to 8.30pm. Entry to both events is free of charge.

• Kun Lbokator — Fridays, 4.30pm to 5.30pm, Terrace of the Elephants
• Lkhon Sbek Thom — Saturdays, 7pm to 8.30pm, Siem Reap River

"Come experience Cambodia's living heritage. Bring your friends and family and capture the moments in photos and videos," the CTB said in its announcement.

The regular shows are designed to add a cultural layer to the Siem Reap experience, linking the ancient monuments of Angkor with traditions that have been safeguarded and handed down over many generations.

Kun Lbokator at the Terrace of the Elephants

The Terrace of the Elephants offers an especially fitting backdrop for Kun Lbokator. The weekly demonstrations give visitors the opportunity to watch this ancient martial art performed live.

The discipline blends combat techniques, physical movement and forms inspired by animals, and evidence of Khmer martial traditions can be seen in carvings across many of the Kingdom's ancient temples.

Kun Lbokator was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022. UNESCO notes that its training reaches beyond physical skill and fighting technique to encompass mental discipline, respect for nature and proper conduct in society.

Performing within the Angkor complex allows martial artists to bring the movements depicted in Cambodia's ancient carvings to life, giving spectators a tangible link between archaeological heritage and a tradition still practised today.

Lkhon Sbek Thom Along the River

The Saturday Lkhon Sbek Thom performances create a very different mood, turning the Siem Reap riverbank into an open-air stage lit by the interplay of light and shadow.

This traditional theatre relies on large, non-articulated puppets crafted from intricately carved leather. During each show, puppeteers hold the figures before a fire or an illuminated screen, using carefully choreographed gestures and dance to animate the characters and scenes.

The performances are traditionally accompanied by a Pinpeat orchestra and narration, with the stories often drawn from the Reamker, Cambodia's rendition of the Ramayana epic.

UNESCO declared Sbek Thom a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005, later adding it to the Representative List in 2008. According to UNESCO, the art form predates the Angkorian era and was once regarded as sacred. Performances were originally reserved for special occasions such as Khmer New Year, royal ceremonies and the honouring of important figures. While it eventually grew from its ritual origins into a broader theatrical tradition, it has kept its ceremonial and spiritual character.

Broadening the Siem Reap Experience

By holding the two shows on Fridays and Saturdays, the Cultural Pop-up Show initiative gives both residents and weekend travellers regular chances to enjoy Cambodian performing arts outside conventional indoor theatres.

The programme also expands what Siem Reap has to offer, connecting daytime visits to the Angkor temples with evening cultural events in the city, and providing local performers with a public stage to practise and share their heritage.