Inland Ocean Festival - Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia

The Inland Ocean Festival was established in Cambodia by Ocean Recovery Alliance and its partner NGO2 Bambooshoot Foundation in 2023 to celebrate Cambodia's "Inland Ocean" - the Tonle Sap Lake.  The event was organized in collaboration with a traditional local monk festival to celebrate the rising waters of the lake and pending monsoon season, with over 10,000 local community visitors in attendance.   The festival includes a large parade from Kampong Phluk to the shores of the lake with over 150 local high school students who participated in a baby puppet lantern making workshop to create illuminated lanterns which represent wildlife of the lake.  The event celebrates water appreciation, pride for the outdoors, and engages the community in programs for reducing plastic pollution via the Harvest Plastic Program. 

 

The 2nd annual Inland Ocean Festival was held on June 8th, 2024, (also the UN’s World Ocean Day), and is part of the annual Water Rising Festival, honoring both the seasonal change in water levels.  The success of last year’s event was brought extra  support in the 2nd annual event from Smart and government departments for the environment and tourism.  With over 180 villages in the lake area, the goal is to spread communication, education and awareness about water protection and the importance of reduced plastic pollution.  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​

Click here to watch a video of the Baby Lantern Puppet Parade and Night Aquarium.