Booking Partner Best Deal

Battambang Phare Circus Show

Battambang Phare Circus Show

  • Travel Location Battambang
  • Born out of the ashes of the Civil War and Khmer Rouge era, Phare Ponleu Selpak is an extraordinary initiative that aims to provide a channel and a future for young Cambodians through the arts. One of the most visible, and exciting, outcomes of this is the Phare Circus just outside of the city and a trip to Battambang genuinely ...

OVERVIEW

Born out of the ashes of the Civil War and Khmer Rouge era, Phare Ponleu Selpak is an extraordinary initiative that aims to provide a channel and a future for young Cambodians through the arts. One of the most visible, and exciting, outcomes of this is the Phare Circus just outside of the city and a trip to Battambang genuinely can’t be considered complete without it.

Video Travel Inspiration

Battambang is home to Phare Ponleu Selpak, a well known NGO which gives youths from deprived backgrounds the opportunity to channel their energies into learning circus skills such as juggling, clowning and acrobatics whilst raising awareness of issues such as HIV/AIDS, landmines and child rights. It started back in 1986 in the refugee camps on the Thai border with simple drawing workshops. The experiment continued after the refugees returned to their homelands in Battambang and Phare Ponleu Selpak now has a worldwide reputation. Performances in the big top are held on Thursday evenings but also at other times. Well worth a visit, other activities also include traditional schooling, drawing, music, dressmaking and a community leisure centre.

In a proper big top, the circus hosts performances several nights a week with choreographed shows highlighting different elements of Cambodian culture. With music, acrobatics, dance, live art, juggling and more, the shows are lively, noisy, funny, death-defying and above all fun, even when dealing with quite dark subjects, such as the Khmer Rouge. They are all choreographed at Phare and all of the music, which draws on influences far and wide, is also scored there. Everything within these shows is home-grown, especially the talent.

And like the art graduates, these kids are going places worldwide. Graduates from the circus school are training with circuses in Europe, and a couple have even been taken on by Cirque Du Soleil in Canada.

It’s also possible to visit the school on weekdays between 08:00 and 12:00 and 14:00 to 16:00. There is an exhibition space, music hall and you may even catch sight of the circus performers rehearsing their moves.

From November to March, there are four performances a week, on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, while in April, July, August and October there are three performances on Monday, Friday and Saturday, and two performances on Mondays and Thursday in May, June and September. You’ll see details of what is showing in schedules in most bars and guesthouse across town.

REQUEST FOR TOUR
 
 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR BUS TICKETS, HERE YOU CAN BOOK IN ADVANCE

Popular Package Tours in Battambang

Beautifully Lives of Battambang Holiday

from Battambang

Full Day

Beautifully Lives of Battambang Holiday

First up, we will bike to a local memorial site dedicated to Khmer Rouge victims. We will fill you in about this difficult period of Cambodia’s history, but will also speak about its effect on ...

Battambang Cycling Day Tour

from Battambang

Full-Day

Battambang Cycling Day Tour

Explore the Cambodian countryside on full-day bicycle tour in Battambang. Witness several local goods being produced in their respective factory settings along the way. Enjoy delicious local snacks ...

Battambang Biking Tour: Food and Culture in the Countryside

from Battambang

Half-Day

Battambang Biking Tour: Food and Culture in the Countryside

This tour is offered by Visit.org, the world's leading platform for social impact travel experiences. Revenue from this experience will be reinvested in our local partner org Soksabike, which aims to ...

Battambang Sunset and Batcaves Trip

from Battambang

Half-Day

Battambang Sunset and Batcaves Trip

Discover Battambang at the most atmospheric time of day on a sunset tour of the town’s renowned bat caves. Traveling by tuk tuk—a traditional Cambodian form of transport—you’ll ascend to the ...

Battambang Nature Tour + Foot Massage

from Battambang

Half-Day

Battambang Nature Tour + Foot Massage

Explore the beautiful rural area to the north of Battambang on this biking tour. You’ll visit local families to observe the making of ingredients used for some of Cambodia’s most famous dishes, ...

Battambang Traditional Villager Tour

from Battambang

Half-Day

Battambang Traditional Villager Tour

Pedal Battambang back roads on a half-day bike tour that explores village life, livelihoods, food, and agriculture. With the chance to meet locals where they live and work, you’ll get a glimpse of ...

 

Book Hotels in Battambang with our Top Pick!

Phka Villa Hotel Battambang

Battambang

Lucky Hostel

Battambang

Capital Battambang Hotel

Battambang

Moloppor Villa

Battambang

Emerald BB Battambang Hotel

Battambang

Por Chey

Battambang

 

Recommended Cambodia Tour Themes

Couldn't find suitable trip for you? Let us help you!

Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip,we will send you best offers quickly.

Flag Counter