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Kigurumi Friendship for Children Show Touring CambodiaBy Darina Hul
Saturday, March 10th, 2001
 The bare-footed children pitter-patter towards the open-air stage, anticipating the arrival of Kigurumi. The boys and girls gather tightly under the blistering sun, making sure they get the best view. Theyve heard about Kigurumi from other schoolchildren, and perhaps today, they  may see a glimpse! After much eagerness, the performance begins. The children watch with warm intensity in their eyes, as the characters dance, sing, and tell stories. Its a magical sight to behold, as one culture blends art, thereby enriching the lives of another culture.
In Japanese, the word "Kigurumi" means the "costume of animals or television characters". For the past year, the Kigurumi Friendship for Children Show from Japan has toured Cambodia, performing at dance schools, non-governmental offices, primary schools, orphanages, and dumping grounds throughout Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. With a turnout of over one thousand and six hundred children in all, theyve had a reparable show under their belt.
 In the performance, the costumed characters tell amusing tales, while at the same time promoting the interest of reading and an awareness of the Cambodian culture. The characters are able to act out simple and funny stories for the children to understand and appreciate. The Kigurumi performance enables the Cambodian children, as well as adults, to comprehend the messages and stories. Despite the cultural, language and economic differences between the Japanese and Cambodians, the show demonstrates the power of knowledge as a universal entity.
This year, the Kigurumi performance can be seen in Phnom Penh from March 20th through March 26th, one to three times a day. The performances are held in open areas, in which the children can see and somewhat interact with the characters. The children of Cambodia are known to be extremely energetic, wide-eyed and filled with enthusiasm during every performance. With the experience of last years performance, the Kigurumi performers are sure to draw bigger crowds, raise a greater awareness, and educate those who have not had proper education. 
The Kigurumi Friendship for Children will provide a greater understanding of cultural identity to many Cambodian children. The show will be enlightening to some, and entertaining to many. It is wonderfully uplifting to know that a performance given by the Japanese can in many ways, promote an awareness and appreciation of our own culture. There are situations in which Cambodian children cannot read, write or obtain books. The shows give Cambodian children the motivation and drive to persevere. The Kigurumi Friendship for Children Show sets an example for many countries to follow. It has done extraordinarily well for such a small group of entertainers and will continue to prosper in many years to come. |
Disclaimer: KC articles are pubished for the information and entertainment of members of KC. The material published is selected for its interest and the views expressed therein are not necessarily those of KC nor its staff. |
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