SIEM REAP — The spectacular sight of participants seated on chairs, diligently writing dictation, returned during the second Angkor Dictation competition on the iconic causeway in front of Angkor Wat temple. Held on Jan. 19, the competition attracted individuals from provinces across the country and from abroad.

Caption: A total of 1,214 participants registered for the event, of whom 692 are female and 82 are monks. The dictation was divided into over 18s and under 18s, with 818 and 396 entrants respectively. Photo: Rin Ousa

As the weather had cooled down at 5:00 a.m. on competition day, participants headed for the causeway ahead of the competition. Their presence intrigued foreigners who had come to witness the sunrise at Angkor Wat, leaving them both impressed and curious about what was happening.

Seizing the opportunity before the competition began, journalists equipped with cameras, phones, and voice recorders actively engaged with participants and conducted interviews.

Caption: Sous Jim (blue shirt - left) spoke to Heng Sreylin, a reporter from ThmeyThmey Digital Media. Photo: ThmeyThmey

Among the participants, Sous Jim, a 73-year-old man had traveled from the United States specifically for the competition, having regretted missing last year’s first edition.

Although Jim has been living abroad for four decades, he still continues to care about and do his best to preserve Khmer culture, he said. 

“The competition serves as a school to help preserve Khmer writing,” Jim said, adding that he hopes this will become an annual event and encourage younger generations to actively participate and preserve Khmer writing.

Caption: More than 1,000 examinees, ranging in age from 6 to 81, grabbed their pens and began writing the dictation as Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron read the text. Photo: Rin Ousa

As the sun ascended over the iconic towers of Angkor Wat, its warm rays brought energy to the participants as they prepared for the competition.

Caption: A musical performances by primary school students from Siem Reap. Photo: Ky Chamna

Shortly before 7 a.m., the competition officially began with vibrant musical performances by primary school students from Siem Reap, followed by speeches delivered by organizers and distinguished guests.

Caption: Minister of Education Hangchuon Naron is photographed reading the dictation text during the second Angkor Dictation competition. Photo: Ky Chamna

More than 1,000 examinees, ranging in age from 6 to 81, grabbed their pens and began writing the dictation as Minister of Education Hangchuon Naron read the text.

The dictation lasted nearly two hours. Despite the intense heat from the sun, examinees remained fully concentrated on listening and writing the dictation. Photographers and journalists moved carefully between the rows of examinees, mindful not to create any noise that could distract them.

Caption: Despite the intense heat from the sun, examinees remained fully concentrated on listening and writing the dictation. Photo: Rin Ousa

After almost two hours, the dictation came to an end and all the papers were collected for review and evaluation that was to take place at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra hotel. Some examinees left the venue with smiles on their faces, while others looked anxious as they eagerly waited for the result announcements that were to take place at 4 p.m. that same day.

Caption: Reporters reporting on stories during the Angkor Dictation competition. Photo: Ky Chamna

As examinees gradually left the venue, journalists seized the opportunity to interview organizers, ministers and participants.

Caption: Lim Bunhok, one of the competition’s organizers, spoke to Phat Dane, a reporter from ThmeyThmey Digital Media. Photo: ThmeyThmey

Lim Bunhok, one of the competition’s organizers, said that nearly 200 candidates had been absent. He expressed little surprise as he acknowledged that candidates might have had other commitments, stressing that the competition was voluntary rather than a mandatory national exam.

“However, I intend to see more participants register next year and I believe it will continue to gain more recognition and popularity,” Bunhok said.

“What surprised me this year was when Justice Minister Keut Rith announced that the winner of the best handwriting in the senior group would be offered a position at the ministry if he was unemployed,” he said. 

Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hangchuon Naron, despite reading for nearly two hours under the scorching sun, remained enthusiastic and energized.

The competition has become a national event, he said, and will serve as a symbol to inspire young people to study Khmer language, and particularly to write it properly. “The Angkor Dictation Competition is more than just a dictation: It serves as a means of preservation of the Khmer language and culture,” Naron said.

He added that he was encouraging schools across the country to organize reading and writing contests with the aim of improving young people’s literacy skills.

Caption: Minister of Civil Service Hun Many gave a speech during the Angkor Dictation competition. Photo: Ky Chamna

Minister of Civil Service Hun Many said he regretted missing the first competition in 2024. This year, he found the sight of participants seated on the iconic causeway bridge truly breathtaking, he said. “It’s more than just a competition but a gathering place for Khmer-language enthusiasts to come together and take part in the competition.

“Witnessing the competition with my own eyes was far different from watching it online,” Many said. “Seeing it in person gave me a deeper admiration for all participants who remained highly concentrated on their writing despite the heat and the presence of photographers moving around.”

When asked about the fact that the number of registered participants had doubled for this second competition, Many said it reflected the strong enthusiasm and spirit of Cambodians regarding preserving the Khmer language.

Following lunch and a short rest, some participants made their way back to the causeway bridge, eagerly awaiting the announcement of the results under the warm afternoon sun.

Caption: Lee Dana, an examinee who had traveled from Singapore specifically to take part in the competition. Photo: Ky Chamna

While waiting for the results, Lee Dana, an examinee who had traveled from Singapore specifically to take part in the competition, said that, as a Cambodian, she felt a sense of responsibility as to preserving the Khmer language.

“It is our native language and not many foreigners can speak Khmer, thus I would like to convey a message to Cambodian people everywhere to never forget their origins, no matter where they are,” Dana said.

Having spent nearly five years abroad, she said that she continues to preserve the Khmer language in various ways. She views the competition as a source of hope for promoting proper Khmer writing, she said, particularly after noticing numerous writing mistakes on social media platforms.

Caption: Rebecca Stoner, a candidate from the United States who has been learning Khmer for about two years. Photo: Ky Chamna

Rebecca Stoner, a candidate from the United States who has been learning Khmer for about two years, said that winning a prize was never her primary goal.

Participating in the competition was rewarding enough, she said, adding that she profoundly appreciates Cambodian culture as a solo traveler.

Caption: In the junior category (under 18), the top three winners were Ren Wathana, Koeun Puthiroth, and Neth Sida. In the senior category (over 18), Chea Savy emerged as the first place, followed by Venerable Yun Panha, and Yuy Sreynoch in third. Photo: Rin Ousa

At last, the long-anticipated moment arrived and the results for the Angkor Dictation Competition were announced.

In the junior category (under 18), the top three winners were Ren Wathana from Kandal province, Koeun Puthiroth from Prey Veng province, and Neth Sida from Siem Reap province, securing first, second, and third place, respectively. 

In the senior category (over 18), Chea Savy from Siem Reap province emerged as the winner, with Venerable Yun Panha from Battambang province in second place, and Yuy Sreynoch from Banteay Meanchey province in third place.

Ren Wathana, the junior category winner and recipient of the best handwriting award, said that she was overwhelmed with excitement at receiving two awards on her first attempt in the competition.

“I did not find the dictation texts too difficult as I had encountered most of the words through my textbooks and self-study,” she said.

Wathana, who had traveled from Kandal province by taxi, said that she was grateful to have been accompanied by her father despite his busy schedule.

“It was unexpected to win these two awards as I saw many outstanding participants,” she said. “But now, I realize that my hard work has truly paid off.”

As the sky darkened, the announcement of results continued. Some examinees gradually left the venue, disappointed that their names had not been called.

Among those departing was Chea Savy, who walked home with his wife and daughter, feeling a sense of hopelessness. However, just 30 meters away from the venue, he heard his name. People nearby approached him, asked him whether he was Chea Savy, and told him that he had secured the first place in the senior category.

Overwhelmed, Savy rushed back to the venue where all eyes eagerly looked for the winner to appear on the stage.

“I have been practicing for nearly a year in preparation for the competition,” Savy said. “I gave myself one day of rest prior to the competition because my hand was hurting due to all the practice and my busy work.”

According to him, the dictation text was quite difficult for those who had not prepared thoroughly as it was a mix of Khmer, Sanskrit and Bali words.

Being a teacher at the 10 January High School in Siem Reap, Savy said that his success would serve as an inspiration for the younger generations to preserve Khmer language and write it correctly.

In addition to the main awards, prizes were presented to the three oldest and five youngest participants, as the organizers recognized their dedication and commitment.

As the competition concluded and most attendees had left the causeway bridge, a group of volunteers from Angkor University quickly removed more than 1,200 chairs, carefully putting them on vans to restore the bridge to its original state.

A total of 1,214 participants had registered for the event, among whom 692 were women and 82 Buddhist monks. The dictation was divided into participants 18 years old and older, and those under 18 with 818 entrants in the first category and 396 entrants in the second.

Siem Reap province had the most participants, with 518, followed by Phnom Penh and Battambang. The oldest participant was 81 years old and from Battambang province, and the youngest six years old and from Phnom Penh.

The first edition of the competition held on Jan. 21, 2024, had attracted around 700 contestants aged 7 to 67.