Khmer New Year, Best Wishes, 2010
My beloved Fellow Cambodians, My dear Friends,
It is with great pleasure that we extend our New Year Best Wishes to the Khmer people in Cambodia and around the world! This past year has marked progress for our people in so many ways. Foremost perhaps is the Khmer Rouge trial. For survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime this was a necessary step in the healing process, but also brought deep and difficult memories to the surface once again. While there are many frustrations with the tribunal process and bringing all responsible criminals to justice, it is important to realize that the trial represents a critical turning point for the new age Khmer civilization. All great civilizations must endure periods of great difficulty, but the real test is how they recover and emerge to lead the way for future generations. Understanding and reconciling the past is critical. However, a civilization that obsesses or dwells on the past is doomed to stagnation and decay. Great discipline of thought and behaviour is required to avoid this trapping and to move onward constructively to the future. The best gift that the elder Khmer generation can pass on to the younger generation is to help them to transform and restore the identity of the Khmer people from one of victimhood to one of capacity, pride and honour. In the wisdom and words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (35th US President (1961-63), 1917-1963), “Let us resolve to be masters, not the victims, of our history, controlling our own destiny without giving way to blind suspicions and emotions.”
Another event that people around the world monitored closely in the past year was the Cambodia - Vietnam border issue which ultimately ended with the exoneration of the farmers who courageously protected their property, and indeed the Cambodian territory. If not for such acts of courage at the local level, Cambodia would certainly be weakened at the national level. Through the support, great sacrifice and leadership of Sam Rainsy, the spotlight of justice shone on the international stage to bring light to this vital issue. Congratulations to the farmers and to Mr. Sam Rainsy (Our Great Leader of the Sam Rainsy Party) for their victory in defending their beloved Country from forces outside and within! In a similar vein, it would be remiss to leap forward into the New Year without acknowledging King Norodom Sihamoni (Our Beloved Monarch), granting amnesty to Mr. Hang Chakra, a royal intervention that resulted in the prison release of the Editor-in-Chief for the “Khmer Machas Srok Newspaper.” Later in the year, HM The King was inducted into France’s ‘Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres’ for His patronage of the arts and support for archaeological preservation, particularly that of the Angkorean period. These and other endeavours of His Majesty The King are a source of great national pride. Also recognized in this past year was Member of Cambodian Parliament Mrs. Mu Sochua who received the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for leadership in human rights. In recent days she was also nominated to receive the Global Exchange Human Rights Award as the People’s Choice Award Honoree. BIG Congratulations to our wonderful Mu Sochua!
Looking forward, the Cambodian people have many positive things to look forward to in the New Year. For instance, the newly crowned Miss Cambodia in France, Solyanna Poeung, is an articulate young woman that will proudly represent the Khmer people at home and abroad. In the culinary world, people around the globe will partake in the pleasures of authentic Khmer cooking, thanks to the now famous cookbook ‘Au pays de la Pomme Cythère’, winner of prestigious Gourmand Award, authored by mother and daughter Sorey Long and Kanika Linden. Finally, in the world of technology, people around the world having internet access can now access Khmer Live TV for various Khmer cultural and fundraising events.
It is clear to see that in every walk of life, Khmer people are cultivating what will surely be a strong, just and thriving society. On that positive note, we would like to once again offer Best Wishes to all and everyone in the New Year, Year of the Tiger.
Be loud, stand proud, and may the Lord Almighty and His Gracious Angel Mondya-Devee bless all and everyone with Great 5 blessings!
And yes, may this New Year bring newly found Love and Compassion, Health, Happiness, Honour and Pride, and of course, Success!
Sincerely,
Jasmeena & Doug
My beloved Fellow Cambodians, My dear Friends,
It is with great pleasure that we extend our New Year Best Wishes to the Khmer people in Cambodia and around the world! This past year has marked progress for our people in so many ways. Foremost perhaps is the Khmer Rouge trial. For survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime this was a necessary step in the healing process, but also brought deep and difficult memories to the surface once again. While there are many frustrations with the tribunal process and bringing all responsible criminals to justice, it is important to realize that the trial represents a critical turning point for the new age Khmer civilization. All great civilizations must endure periods of great difficulty, but the real test is how they recover and emerge to lead the way for future generations. Understanding and reconciling the past is critical. However, a civilization that obsesses or dwells on the past is doomed to stagnation and decay. Great discipline of thought and behaviour is required to avoid this trapping and to move onward constructively to the future. The best gift that the elder Khmer generation can pass on to the younger generation is to help them to transform and restore the identity of the Khmer people from one of victimhood to one of capacity, pride and honour. In the wisdom and words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (35th US President (1961-63), 1917-1963), “Let us resolve to be masters, not the victims, of our history, controlling our own destiny without giving way to blind suspicions and emotions.”
Another event that people around the world monitored closely in the past year was the Cambodia - Vietnam border issue which ultimately ended with the exoneration of the farmers who courageously protected their property, and indeed the Cambodian territory. If not for such acts of courage at the local level, Cambodia would certainly be weakened at the national level. Through the support, great sacrifice and leadership of Sam Rainsy, the spotlight of justice shone on the international stage to bring light to this vital issue. Congratulations to the farmers and to Mr. Sam Rainsy (Our Great Leader of the Sam Rainsy Party) for their victory in defending their beloved Country from forces outside and within! In a similar vein, it would be remiss to leap forward into the New Year without acknowledging King Norodom Sihamoni (Our Beloved Monarch), granting amnesty to Mr. Hang Chakra, a royal intervention that resulted in the prison release of the Editor-in-Chief for the “Khmer Machas Srok Newspaper.” Later in the year, HM The King was inducted into France’s ‘Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres’ for His patronage of the arts and support for archaeological preservation, particularly that of the Angkorean period. These and other endeavours of His Majesty The King are a source of great national pride. Also recognized in this past year was Member of Cambodian Parliament Mrs. Mu Sochua who received the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for leadership in human rights. In recent days she was also nominated to receive the Global Exchange Human Rights Award as the People’s Choice Award Honoree. BIG Congratulations to our wonderful Mu Sochua!
Looking forward, the Cambodian people have many positive things to look forward to in the New Year. For instance, the newly crowned Miss Cambodia in France, Solyanna Poeung, is an articulate young woman that will proudly represent the Khmer people at home and abroad. In the culinary world, people around the globe will partake in the pleasures of authentic Khmer cooking, thanks to the now famous cookbook ‘Au pays de la Pomme Cythère’, winner of prestigious Gourmand Award, authored by mother and daughter Sorey Long and Kanika Linden. Finally, in the world of technology, people around the world having internet access can now access Khmer Live TV for various Khmer cultural and fundraising events.
It is clear to see that in every walk of life, Khmer people are cultivating what will surely be a strong, just and thriving society. On that positive note, we would like to once again offer Best Wishes to all and everyone in the New Year, Year of the Tiger.
Be loud, stand proud, and may the Lord Almighty and His Gracious Angel Mondya-Devee bless all and everyone with Great 5 blessings!
And yes, may this New Year bring newly found Love and Compassion, Health, Happiness, Honour and Pride, and of course, Success!
Sincerely,
Jasmeena & Doug
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