Giant Puppet Parade, Siem Reap

This blog is dedicated to the kid in all of us.

Brought to you by the letter "P" and the number "7".

The Giant Puppet Project

Before leaving on our world tour, I decided that one of the activities I wanted to do was see the gigantic street walking puppets in Siem Reap, Cambodia.  On February 23rd, 2013, we needed to be in Siem Reap to participate in such a spectacle and so the planning began.

Entering its seventh year, the project engages and involves hundreds of disadvantaged Cambodian children.  The participants are students, orphans, street children, landmine survivors and many caring adults. It creates a sense of community unity and an artistic expression outlet that many programs are missing.  If you want to learn more or donate to next years parade, the website is http://www.giantpuppetproject.com or like them on facebook.

 

 

The puppets were being made in the courtyard of the Wat Damnak primary school.  The walk from Jasmine Lodge was about 2 km and took about 40 minutes in mid-afternoon heat.  What a sight to behold, the porcupine is peering at me through the frangipani trees (or what we call plumeria trees).  There were a dozen adults finishing up the light instillation on these bad boys and also applying paper mache.

 

A couple of days before the event, Greg and I walked back to Wat Damnak and I talked to Stuart from the UK about helping out.  He said that what they really needed was for people to flier the hostels and streets.  We grabbed a couple of stacks and hit up a couple of restaurants and hostels and decided to come back at night.  Pub Street fills with tourists after the sun drops.

 

 

We fliered everyone, tourists, locals, shopkeepers, smoothie makers, tuk tuk drivers...

Tuk tuk driver: "You need a tuk tuk?"

Greg: "No.  You need a flier for the Giant Puppet Parade.  Here you go.  IT'S FOR THE KIDS!!!" 



 

 

 

I didn't have a tripod with so my photos didn't turn out crystal clear.  I did take some video footage that I won't be able to upload on the blog, however their facebook page has captured some images that are worth a look from that night.