A one-stop shop for some of Cambodia’s most exciting contemporary and traditional handicrafts producers, the fourth Angkor Handicraft Fair will take place from January 11 to 15 in Siem Reap. In the river garden lawns in front of the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the organisers promise an impressive showcase of Cambodian crafts and a packed schedule of music, comedy, circus performances, a fashion show and much more. For the first time too, exhibitors from many other countries in Asia will also take part.

Roll up, roll up!

With stalls from almost 70 different exhibitors from all over Cambodia, the aim of the Fair is to showcase Cambodia’s skills and knowledge in handicraft production. Between 10:00 and 21:00 each day, visitors will be able to trawl through thousands of beautiful, local and hand-made creations, including hand-made silk and cotton clothing and accessories, home accessories, jewellery, beauty products, art, textiles, recycled materials, ceramics, wood carvings, ironworks, lacquering, knives, and products made from natural fibres such as rattan, wicker, water hyacinth and sea grass.

Welcome to the cabaret...

Recognising an important issue concerning souvenirs and handicrafts sold in Cambodia, the organisers have set up a special committee to vet and ensure that all of the products sold at the Fair are actually Cambodian. According to a study conducted by the German development agency, GTZ, a significant proportion of the “Cambodian” products sold at the markets in Siem Reap are not from this country. Tourists may enquire of vendors about the origin of products they’d like to buy, but most of the vendors neither know nor care where they’re from and will assure all comers that they are of course from here.

Cambodian artisans will share the stage with their colleagues from Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Malaysia, in a special series of art and handicraft demonstrations which visitors can enjoy every day in addition to the programme of events detailed below.

Lacquering.

Special events in the evenings, from 18:00 to 21:00:

Wednesday 11: Inauguration ceremony; Peak Mi (comedian); Apsara show and traditional.music
Thursday 12: Theatre; acrobatics and juggling from Phare Ponleu Selpak; international DJ; video performances.
Friday 13: Acrobatics; live jazz acoustic band; fire show; international DJ.
Saturday 14: Live painting; magician; acrobatics; videos performances; international DJ.
Sunday 15: Fashion show; live music with Cambojam; international DJ; fire show.

From Cambodia's first, and hugely successful, fashion show in Phnom Penh, November.

Plus: Food and drink will be catered by Raffles, and there’ll be a special wine bar and VIP bar.

More still
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Tags: Angkor Handicraft Fair 2011, markets, Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor