To celebrate the Khmer New Year in the Year of the Horse, Buddhist Era 2570, Cambodian students studying in Türkiye came together to organize a two-day Sangkranta event in Istanbul on April 18–19, 2026, after completing their exams, with the shared intention of meeting and connecting with fellow Cambodian students across the country.
Led and organized by the management board of the Cambodian Student Association in Türkiye (CSAT), consisting of Iphing Lim, Maheath Rony, Roviza Sat, Aslina Rany, and Monypanchakrith Sous, the event brought together Cambodian students from various cities across Türkiye, along with international participants, in a spirit of unity and cultural exchange.
The first day featured a traditional blessing dance, Robam Chunpor, symbolizing respect and good wishes for the New Year. A cultural presentation introduced Cambodia’s heritage and traditions to foreign guests and partners. Participants also paid respect to the Cambodian national anthem, expressing national pride while promoting Cambodian identity internationally. The celebration continued with traditional social dances such as Rom Vong and Madizon, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.
On April 19, the second day continued with a picnic gathering, where students spent meaningful time together through shared activities such as barbecuing and informal interaction. This provided an opportunity to build genuine connections, especially as many Cambodian students had not previously met in person. As the first large gathering led by the student association, the event played an important role in bringing the community together and strengthening a sense of belonging.
The event was made possible through the generous support of Documentation Center of Cambodia and the Queen Mother Library, the Embassy of Cambodia in Türkiye, Turkish Ambassador Ülkü Kocaefe in Cambodia, H.E No Sles, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), Nasar Cosmetics, and other valued partners. The Cambodian Student Association in Türkiye (CSAT) would like to express its sincere gratitude to all sponsors for their generous support and meaningful contribution to the success of this event.
The event aimed to celebrate Khmer New Year, preserve and promote Cambodian culture globally, and strengthen unity among Cambodian students living abroad.
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