ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a general overview of the state of performing arts before the Khmer rouge regime took power in 1975. It explores the emergence and development of ‘cultural Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)’. NGOs gradually enlarged their help to education and traditional performing arts to meet demands from people who were cut off from their native villages and towns. The opening of the country to the outside world has deeply impacted practices of traditional performing arts anchored in religious traditions and in agricultural calendar. The chapter analyzes the interactions of these NGOs with both private and institutional Cambodian partners. The political situation in Cambodia became disastrous after the invasion of the Vietnamese army in 1979 who drove the Khmer Rouge forces back to the Thai border. Cambodian Living Arts claims a quality of performances based on Trip Advisor ratings which seems odd as its audience is only composed of foreign audiences.
