UNESCO bid to save dying music style

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts plans to seek UNESCO cultural world heritage status for the traditional music known as Khmer Arak, an art form they believe is in danger of disappearing, ministry officials said yesterday.

Thai Norak Sathya, secretary of state for the ministry, said his colleagues hope to put in the request this year. “We are taking care of the most endangered type [of music], such as Arak bands,” he said.

According to Norak Sathya, Arak is the oldest type of local music, and originates from the animist spiritual beliefs of early Cambodians. It is performed with the aid of such musical instruments as the flute, drum, tro and chapei (two types of stringed instruments).

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