PHNOM PENH, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony, traditionally held in May, has been cancelled in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Khmer Times reported on Monday.

"The government has decided to cancel the celebration of this year's Royal Ploughing Ceremony due to the ongoing pandemic," Chhin Ketana, secretary-general of the National Committee for Organizing National and International Festivals (NCONIF), was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

The decision follows after Kong Sam Ol, Royal Palace minister and NCONIF head, last week sent a letter to Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen proposing the cancellation of the event, which was set to be held in central Kampong Thom province on May 10.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient royal rite observed annually in the kingdom under the auspices of the king to announce the arrival of the rice-planting season and predict whether the coming season will be bountiful or not.

Its recent cancellation comes after the prime minister last week announced the cancellation of the Khmer New Year celebrations on April 13-16 to prevent mass gatherings and mitigate COVID-19 risks.

Cambodia has recorded a total of 122 confirmed cases of the virus to date, with 77 patients cured, according to the Ministry of Health. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)