Phare, the Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap

Think circus, you think of acrobats and trapeze artists swinging from one end of the rope to another and trained lions and tigers doing their masters' bidding and so on.

But Phare is different; no conventional circus stunts yet its simple and endearing performances are fun to watch. Added to it is the knowledge that all this is being done for a good cause.

About Phare and the good cause

Cambodia has a long history of civil war and the trauma it caused under the Khmer Rouge regime, leaving the country and its people in complete disarray.

In a bid to help out other young people, nine teenage refugees who had received art therapy in refugee camps founded the Phare Ponleu Selpak Association in 1994.

This non-profit arts and circus school supports the community through art and social support programs and offers free education to children who are in dire need of it.

In March 2021, Phare Circus won the Guinness World Record for the longest circus performance lasting 24 hours, 10 minutes and 30 seconds ...phew!

This was a fundraising effort during the COVID pandemic to raise awareness about the NGO.

About Phare Circus

As I've mentioned earlier, this is not a conventional circus, but what you get is a heady mix of humour, acrobatics, storytelling, comedy and energetic live music.

Most of the performers are quite young, and their raw energy during this one-hour-long performance is infectious.

A few things to know about Phare

There is only one daily show of one hour at 8:00 pm.

It's best to buy tickets beforehand online from the official website of the circus https://pharecircus.org/ or third-party vendors like GetYourGuide.com to ensure that you can catch the show on the day of your choice. I saw many buses full of tourists arriving at the venue.

Seating is done section wise. There are 3 Sections A, B and C, with tickets starting from USD 18.00. Section A is the premium one.

In my opinion, you can buy tickets for any section, whichever is available, and you will get a clear view from every angle because the venue is small and compact.

The only advantage of sitting right in the front could be that the performers engage with the audience, at times, which can be fun.

One could plan to reach the venue a bit early; there is a cafeteria that serves drinks and snacks (paid, of course!). To keep the people who are waiting for the show occupied, a casual song and dance performance takes place every evening on a small stage outside. There's also a nice souvenir shop at the entrance where you can buy some fun merchandise.

Overall, Phare is a great experience, a pleasant evening that celebrates Cambodian culture and the warmth and resilience of its people.