From July 3rd-7th, 2014, Ms. Chan Sreyroth, Deputy Director for the Office of Accounting and Finance, and Ms. Ouk Kakruna, the winner of UC’s high school art competition, attended the 15th International High School Art Festival Award Ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton, in Tokyo, Japan. There were students from Japan and 13 other countries. The Festival was sponsored by the International High School Arts Festival Organizing Committee and co-sponsored by the International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC). Dr. Haruhisa Handa, Executive Committee Chairman of the International High School Arts Festival Organizing Committee, and Chairman of the International Foundation for Arts and Culture extended his warm welcome to all distinguished participants from Japan and from other countries.
The festival is one of the largest international art exhibitions for high school students. Additionally, the festival aims to nurture tomorrow’s artists, to motivate the young by not treating them as children, and finally to foster international relationships and cultural exchange. Though they are still in high school, they are able to experience an international exchange and form international friendships which can expand their view of the world.
By: Ms. Ouk Kakruna
I am so grateful that my winning artwork under the theme, New World Order Thinking, allowed me to be a representative for the Kingdom of Cambodia at the International High School Art Competition Award Ceremony in Japan. I would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, Dr. Haruhisa Handa for supporting this festival, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn for having co-organized this festival in Cambodia, the judges for choosing my painting, and everyone who helped and encouraged me in preparing my artwork. During my three days in Japan, I not only discovered new insights about Japanese artwork and culture, but I also exchanged cultural diversity and experiences with international high school students from 13 different countries. Travelling here has made me aware that art is a powerful source of communication; that is appreciated by all walks of life from all over the world. It does not matter where you are from, or what language you speak, art is a language that is clear to us all. In my conclusion I want to encourage all not only young talented high school students in Cambodia, but all those who really love and enjoy making art, and want to raise awareness of Cambodian arts in the international exhibition, to join the International High School Arts Festival next year.
