Phnom Penh Post
A man looks at the
new book Norodom Sihanouk: Immortal Figure, which was released yesterday
by a group of six journalists. Photograph: Pha Lina/Phnom Penh Post
A day before King Father Norodom Sihanouk’s funeral procession, the
first book about him to be published since his death was released.
Titled “Norodom Sihanouk: Immortal Figure”, the 185-page collection
of photos, documents, and essays charts the events of the past 100 days,
including royal sub-decrees, condolences from foreign dignitaries, and a
wrap-up of obituaries published around the world.
A group of five journalists, including Pierre Gillette, the former
editor-in-chief of the now-defunct Cambodge Soir newspaper, spent months
compiling the book.
“We created this book for the public to keep a record of his
achievements,” said Leang Delux, a correspondent for Radio France
International and one of the book’s six contributors.
“There were so many people supporting him when the royal body was
sent from China and so many world leaders also sent condolence notes, so
we decided to compile the documents.”
An initial run of 5,000 copies will be sold at newsstands across Phnom Penh for $4 each.
The book also pulls from speeches given by several leaders since
Sihanouk’s death, including that of Chinese President Hu Jintao, who
lauded the late King Father as “a great friend of China’s”.
Journalism trainer Pen Bona, Thmei Thmei editor-in-chief Oung
Chamreoun, and RFA reporter Ky Soklim also worked on the book, along
with Ang Kem Eang, the director of Great Angkor Tour agency.
“This book shows the interest of world leaders who focus on the late
King Father, along with all classes of Cambodian people who deeply love
him. All these elements convinced us it was worth compiling this... book
to remind [people] of his achievements,” said Delux.
To contact the reporter on this story: May Titthara at
titthara.may@phnompenhpost.com
2 comments:
Make believe book? Perhaps the book doesn't dare to tell the truth like many generations before them always believe in lies.Khmers people don't tell the truth last generations because they scare of persecution,not my generations we tell like it is...Year zero happened because we all scared and silent afraid to say what we see/have seen, result was catastrophic belond believe,time have changed for the better,Sdach Sihanouk was a "Hero turn to Zero" later on in his life,he had done more bad deeds then good deeds.However,i hope the book telling the story the truth the way it has happened not twist and turn to make him looking good.Young generation under 30s years of age Khmers people doesn't know the truth about this so called kingTa.In my opinion is he was a HERO later turned traitor committed treason against his kingdom by Aiding Yuon Hanoi to destroyed his subjects whom ousted him from power in 70s after then on-this king is nothing but selfcenter until Sdach Norook get his Ass to HELL.Lon Nol and his brother were true Heroes.
Kmenhwatt
If there would be someone like you still alive from Angkor era, I would ask him how many people were killed by Jayavarman VII during building Angkor wat? But, unfortunately, no written story about the killing or all gone from one generation to the next and people still loving and respecting him as a God king, even these days, should think about it, is that because of his achievements? I doubted of killing people under his reign (Jayavarman VII) I don’t know the truth and probably you know the truth. I never wanted to compare between Sihanouk and Jayavarman VII, but, you’ve mentioned of old generation and the young one.
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