The Phare circus in Siem Reap, Cambodia

I wanted to do a separate entry for this because, first it was an amazing show. But more than, that the Phare organisation does so much to help Cambodia get out of poverty and to empower people to have a better life.
Those line are from their website; I am just copying it here:

“Phare artists are students and graduates from Phare Ponleu Selpak’s (www.phareps.org) vocational training center in Battambang. The association was formed in 1994 by 9 young men coming home from a refugee camp after the Khmer Rouge regime. They were greatly helped during that time by an art teacher using drawing classes as therapy and wanted to share this new skill among the poor, socially deprived and troubled youngsters in Battambang. They founded an art school and public school followed to offer free education. A music school and theatre school were next and finally, for the kids who wanted more, the circus school. Today more than 1,200 pupils attend the public school daily and 500 attend the alternative schools. Phare Ponleu Selpak also has extensive outreach programs, trying to help with the problems highlighted in their own tales.
Phare The Cambodian Circus offers these students and graduates somewhere to hone their skills and a place to earn a decent wage. Money that will take them out of poverty and give them self-respect and freedom.”

The people working for Phare get a above the normal Cambodian wage (which is incredibly low: the average in between US$150 and US$200 monthly. This is very variable depending on the region and the industry).
Now to the show we saw: the story was about various people meeting in a rock pub and looking either for trouble, love and all in between. The show was modern and fun. Both adults and kids laugh during the show. The artists are multitalented: music, acrobatics, acting, dance… all was there.
The music was live during the show: using traditional and modern instruments, the music is an active part of the show and made it so lively.
Before the show, you can grab a bit to eat. There are several different types of food you can choose from and all we had was very good. The deserts were awesome.
There was also a pre-show of some of the children learning in the program. They did three Apsara dances and they were great.
This is a MUST SEE show when you are in Siem Reap. If you don’t/can’t come in Siem Reap, you can donate to that wonderful organisation to help kids and artists get a better life in Cambodia. https://phareps.org/donate/#makeadonation

By the way, the pictures aren't great, but I was so captivated by the show that I didn't try very hard to take any good one!Læs mere