ABA supports “We are one” cultural event of Zaman University

On August 8, 2015, Zaman University along with other major universities and high schools in Phnom Penh joined to celebrate “We are one” cultural event with the theme of “Youth for Culture”. ABA Bank helped to hold the event as one of the gold sponsors.

One of the main objective of the event is to commemorate the seventh anniversary of registration of Preah Vihear temple as a World heritage site, as well as to celebrate and promote the value of knowledge and understanding of the national culture, history and tradition, and role of youth in the preservation and maintenance of Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage.

In addition to the sponsorship, ABA staff along with the student committee of the event initiated and organized two of its major activities. These are the On-the-spot Drawing Competition and “My Culture through My Camera” photography competition, which gathered different university students of Phnom Penh.

During the drawing competition, the students were asked to illustrate or draw their own interpretation of “Youth for Culture”. Their artworks were displayed at the gallery hall and the winners were then announced at the end of the main event ceremony.

The photography competition started two weeks before the main event; it catered for aspiring university students and photography enthusiasts to capture Cambodia’s rich culture through their own understanding. The students were asked to capture four images related to Cambodia’s culture, anything from food, traditional games, places or any cultural activity. Sixteen participants submitted their work, which were then presented on the gallery hall on the event day.

During the event, other activities such as Royal dancing, Khmer traditional dance, Modern Pop dance, Martial arts, traditional fashion shows, Khmer solidarity songs, and Drama took place. The occasion was supported by national artists, Ms. Dy Savet, and Mr. Sos March from Artists Association. The key opening remarks were given by the representative of H.E. Khiev Kanharith, Minister of Information. Entertainers like Nikki Nikki performed to entertain the students as part of the program.

On the concluding part of the event, ABA Bank together with the judges presented the prizes to the winners. The winners of each competition brought home $150 for the first prize, $100 for the second prize and $50 for the third prize.

ABA Bank, by taking part in such event, clearly demonstrates its readiness to assist the youth in the conservation, preservation and celebration of Cambodia’s cultural heritage. On the awarding ceremony, Ms. Theam Romny, ABA’s Toul Kork Branch Manager stated, “We are very proud to support this event, it is great to see the students from different universities coming together to pledge and celebrate Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage. ABA Bank initiated and supported two main activities not only to celebrate with the students, but also to let them think deeper and put in their hearts their role in the preservation of our national heritage.”

It is part of the Banks mission to help Cambodia to have a bigger and brighter future. And helping cultivate young minds are just one of their ways to show it.