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Two stars shining upon each other

两颗星彼此照耀

By Li Zha and Zhang Ruogu □ 李吒 张若谷 / 文

Under the soft night lights of Siem Reap– Rewind one year to August 6, 2024, when capture the graceful movements of the danc- dia Cultural Corridor, introducing each exhibit
Angkor International Airport in Cambodia, the China-Cambodia Cultural Corridor offi- ers. A warmth welled up inside him: through with intimate familiarity. “Though Siem Reap
the winding China-Cambodia Cultural Cor- cially opened at Siem Reap–Angkor Interna- the threads of culture, Siem Reap and Yunnan and Yunnan are thousands of miles apart,
ridor is bathed in a gentle glow. Mourn So- tional Airport. The slogan “Visit Yunnan, See were gently weaving together people of differ- they’ve found resonance through art,” he
pheap, Director of the Department of Culture Angkor” spread among international travelers ent languages and skin colors. said. Deeply moved, the delegation members
and Fine Arts of Siem Reap Province, bends like a gentle spring breeze. As one of its key The journey to bring this event to life was agreed: this was not just an exhibition, but a
down to adjust the angle of a finely crafted promoters, Sopheap understood clearly that far from easy. As one of the lead organizers, dialogue between civilizations.
traditional Cambodian garment on display. this was far more than just a tourism tagline; it Sopheap invested tremendous effort into the Since its inauguration, the China-Cam-
Behind him, just a short distance away, hang was a profound cultural commitment. planning from the very beginning. “What we bodia Cultural Corridor has welcomed more
over a hundred photographs showcasing the “Siem Reap and Yunnan are like two stars, present here is not just craftsmanship; it is a than one million international visitors. From
intangible cultural heritage of China’s Yunnan shining upon each other,” Sopheap often says. way of life, the shared memory of our peo- “Face-to-Face with World Heritage, Hand-in-
Province and various regions of Cambodia. In his eyes, these two stars are never distant; ples,” he explained. Each themed exhibition Hand in Cultural Exchange,” to “Auspicious
Before him, exquisite Angkor stone carvings, every exhibition, every event, and every en- needed to reflect local identity while resonat- Ox Meets Divine Serpent: A Wondrous Yun-
traditional Cambodian attire, and intricate Yi counter between artifacts makes their mutual ing with an international audience. Striking nan-Cambodia Cultural Heritage Showcase,”
ethnic embroidery from Yunnan stand side by radiance tangible and real. the right balance between photographic dis- and even the launch of the Park 1903 Creative
side, as if engaged in silent dialogue. This is On September 27, the “Tea for Harmony” plays and physical artifacts required thought- Bazaar in Kunming, each initiative has been
the setup for the “Tea for Harmony” Yaji Cul- Yaji Cultural Salon and the “Glorious Silk ful consideration. He visited local artisan like a pebble dropped into still water—send-
tural Salon and the China‑Cambodia “Glorious Road” Intangible Cultural Heritage Day was markets repeatedly, spoke with craftspeople at ing ripples of influence far and wide.
Silk Road” Intangible Cultural Heritage Day. successfully held. “This is not merely an exhi- length, and handpicked the most representa- “Visit Yunnan, See Angkor” has long
Here, Sopheap and his team are making final bition; it is a meeting of hearts,” Sopheap re- tive works. In addition, he held numerous on- transcended ordinary tourism promotion.
preparations for the grand event scheduled for marked, standing amid the crowd with a look line meetings with counterparts from Yunnan For Sopheap, it has evolved into a belief:
September 27. of joyful surprise. He watched as travelers to carefully refine the exhibition content and culture knows no borders; only through mu-
paused curiously before the displays, asked layout design. tual listening and understanding can ancient
questions eagerly, and raised their cameras to Just before the event, a delegation from civilizations thrive vibrantly in the modern
Yunnan arrived in Siem Reap. Sopheap per- era. Yunnan and Siem Reap are like two stars
sonally guided them along the China-Cambo- shining in mutual radiance. Though separated
by mountains and seas, they gleam across the
night sky of civilization and illuminate one
another.