Best Practice: 5 International Topic of the Khmer Art Action, Cambodia best practice Exact Location Cambodia's art venues (National Theater, Chenla Theater, Meta House Goethe Center Phnom Penh...) Memory type Local community Way of Visual art, performing art, especially "Lakhorn Niyeay" – a form of expression spoken theater. (Intervention Type) Senses mainly Sight and experience activated Implementation 2008 Date Brief Khmer Art Action (KAA) was founded by Soung Sopheak – A play wright Description/Key and director who is passionate about art and Lakhorn Niyeay. Khmer characteristics Art Action was created for the purpose of keeping Lakhorn Niyeay alive (Word limit: and promoting art as a form of mental healing. 500 words) Lakhorn Niyeay is an art form in Cambodia that is so old, many Cambodian have forgotten about this. The performance art is solely based on the characters’ speeches and the storylines usually depict deep social issues of the present time. Lakhorn Niyeay is not an easy art. Lakhorn Niyeay lost its popularity after the civil war in Cambodia. Experts say it takes almost 10 years to learn how to perform, write scripts and direct a play, so many Cambodian people have been hesitant in bring back the art form. KAA brings Lakhorn Niyeay back to the community through short films and live performances. They perform in schools, communities and there is an annual show at the National Theater every December. KAA is woking to connect more people, especially the young generation to spoken theater so that they can understand the role that Lakhorn Niyeay play in the Cambodian society. The ultimate goal is to inspire them to love and preserve this art form. 22