National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial

09/19/2023

Music class for Children Fall Term 2023
September-December 2023

Last enrollment: September 28th, 2023
Class every Saturday 10am-12pm

08/31/2023

Our artist in resident, Nisa Pov will be performing Cambodian classics music with Crossing Borders Music at World Dumpling Fest on September 9th, 2023.

Meet some of our World Dumpling Fest performers! Crossing Borders Music uses music to promote the dignity of people from all cultures. They will perform with Nisa Pov, Resident Artist of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial. Catch all our acts next weekend at World Dumpling Fest! www.chicagoculturalalliance.org/wdf23

05/27/2023

It’s today! Music of Cambodia.
There will be music demonstration by the children group. See you all there!

05/17/2023

Upcoming weekend!!
Save the dates: May 20th and May 21st, 2023
Cambodian Classics music new arrangements, be the first people to ever hear this amazing fusion of Cambodian and European traditional instruments live and in-person.
For May 21st performance: Buy ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../live-cambodian-museum...

05/11/2023

Upcoming music performance in May!
Save the dates: May 20th and May 21st, 2023
Cambodian Classics music new arrangements, be the first people to ever hear this amazing fusion of Cambodian and European traditional instruments live and in-person.
For May 21st performance: Buy ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/live-cambodian-museum-mahori-musicians-and-crossing-borders-music-tickets-631819177167

05/04/2023

05/04/2023

Upcoming workshop
May 6th, 2023 at 11am-12pm

04/26/2023

04/17/2023

Please join us today for the Cambodian Day of Remembrance (4pm-6pm). See flyer below for more details. We hope to see you there.

12/16/2022

We had such a great time watching the play, "Bald Sisters", a Cambodian American drama at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company . We highly encourage everyone to check it out. Here's a short review:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/12/12/23505750/bald-sisters-review-steppenwolf-theatre-funny-and-powerful-vichet-chum?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR0wxYD2wiV3cVWMWWBG47cMdjsZKH2TNOdTLhA14Y7ANghqoh90it7_acw

Purchase your tickets here using the code NCHM:
https://www.steppenwolf.org/tickets--events/seasons-/2022-23/bald-sisters/

As a play, “Bald Sisters” is a prime exemplar of the American kitchen-sink family drama and a classic Chicago-style show,

12/16/2022

Many thanks to our partnership with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company during our successful AAPI / Cambodian night last Saturday night to celebrate the premiere of Vichet Chum’s play, "Bald Sisters" now playing at the Steppenwolf through 1/15. We are so thankful to our friends and partners who joined us for this incredible evening that included a panel discussion hosted by our board member Randy Kim, the play, food from Khmai Fine Dining, and karaoke and drinks.

Get your tickets now to see "Bald Sisters" through this link: https://www.steppenwolf.org/tickets--events/seasons-/2022-23/bald-sisters/

Photo Credit: Joel Moorman of Steppenwolf

11/16/2022

Pin Peat Music Class | Fall 2022
Class Starts: November 19th, 2022 - February 11th, 2023
Class fees: $85
To register please contact information below.

10/22/2022

Please join us for the first-time and in-person only screenings of two Cambodian films from the 1960s. The event is co-hosted by the City of Chicago Cultural Affairs Department and Special Events and the National Cambodian Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial.

Here is the event program:

Classic Cambodian Film Screenings
Chicago Cultural Center , Claudia Cassidy Theater, 2nd Floor North
Free Admission

Sunday, October 30, 2022, 10am-5pm
Presented in partnership with the National Cambodian Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial

Join us for a double feature screening of two classic prewar films: Mother's Heart and Thavary Meas B**g. Screening for the first time in Chicago, these films are a celebration of early Cambodian filmmakers' ingenuity, craftsmanship, and talents. These early filmmakers' aim was to make films that Cambodian audiences would be proud to watch but never did they imagine anything beyond the regional screening. As with many Asian Americans, especially Southeast Asian communities, there are many stigmas attached to their parents' generation of war and related trauma. These films highlight a positive cultural production of their own heritage.

11am - screening of MOTHER'S HEART (1963, directed by Yvon Hem)
Mother's Heart tells the story of star-crossed lovers Chomnab, a wealthy and handsome man played by Nom Nem, and Chenda, a servant girl played by Keo Montha, who has become distrustful of all men. Featuring Som Van Soudany and Sak Sisbong in supporting roles. Set in contemporary Phnom Penh, this romantic and family melodrama was originally shot in 16mm and produced by Van Chann Film.

12:30pm - conversation with Dr. LinDa Saphan about Faded Reels: The Art of Four Cambodian Filmmakers: 1960-1975

1:10pm - intermission

2pm - screening of THAVARY MEAS B**G (1969, directed by Uong Citta)
Thavary Meas B**g is a contemporary romantic melodrama with an all-star cast featuring Som Van Soudany, Kong Som Oeun, Vichara Dany, and So Hean. Running just short of two hours, the film centers on a love triangle involving two sisters falling in love with the same man. Music composed by Sinn Sisamouth.

4:45pm - special performance by classically trained musician and artist-in-residence of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum, Punisa Pov

09/17/2022

The National Cambodian Heritage Museum is proud to join Devata Giving Circle for its annual event celebrating Visionaries.

Anida Yoeu Ali
Charya Burt Cambodian Dance
Caylee So

Saturday September 17, 2022 from 10-11AM PST

08/30/2022

Fall semester 2022

08/03/2022

07/12/2022

Pin Peat Music Class | Summer Term 2022
open for enrollment
Class starts: July 6th, 2022 - August 5th, 2022.
Every Wednesday and Friday from 4pm-5pm
Class fees: $85
Registration dateline: July 18th, 2022
To register please contact information below.

04/28/2022

In celebration of the Asian American Heritage Month in May, Nisa along with her students will provide a virtual one-hour Music of Cambodia program with Budlong Library.

To join the event, please register below the link that has been published on CPL website.
https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/6259b614a17f678726ec6ec9

Representing the living tradition of Cambodian traditional music, Artist-in-Residence, Punisa Pov and her students will perform, demonstrate, and share the history of this ancient music. Presented by National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial How to AttendThis event takes place o...

04/16/2022

Every year on April 17th, the Cambodian Day of Remembrance commemorates those who lost their lives in the genocide while celebrating the resilience of Cambodian people, whose journey continues.

03/30/2022

Congratulations to our very own Kaoru Watanabe for being approved to serve on Chicago's Cultural Advisory Council!

City Council today approved the appointments of FOUR new members of the local arts community to serve on the Cultural Advisory Council!
So excited to welcome Blake-Anthony Johnson of Chicago Sinfonietta, artist Edra Soto, Kaoru Watanabe of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial and Debra Yepa-Pappan of the Field Museum.

“A robust Chicago arts and culture community inspires us, engages us, questions the status quo, and has the power to bring our diverse city together in conversation around the critical challenges of our day,” said . “I am grateful to bring these new voices to the table, who will work with us to ensure that Chicago remains a vibrant and innovative cultural hub — and that all Chicagoans have equitable access to the arts.”

The appointees are a diverse group of Chicagoans from across the city representing a broad cross-section of arts genres. They include practicing artists, representatives from major cultural institutions and neighborhood organizations, and the community at large.

Join us in a citywide and !

03/15/2022

Join Cambodian Association of Illinois this April to celebrate Cambodian New Year!
Space is limited, make sure to RSVP.
Contact us for more information.

Join us this April to celebrate Cambodian New Year!
Space is limited, make sure to RSVP.
Contact us for more information.

03/02/2022

Three more days!
Join us for the Cambodian Music and Dance virtual workshop.
Free to public, space is limited to 15 people.
More information is in the flyer.

Join us for the Cambodian Music and Dance virtual workshop.
Free to public, space is limited to 15 people.
More information is in the flyer.

02/24/2022

Join us for the Cambodian Music and Dance virtual workshop.
Free to public, space is limited to 15 people.
More information is in the flyer.

02/16/2022

Pin Peat Music Class | Winter Term 2022
open for enrollment

Class starts: February 26th, 2022 - April 30th, 2022.
Class fees: $85
Registration dateline: February 24th, 2022.
To register please contact information below.

12/07/2021

Winter Term 2022, Khmer language class is open for registration!
Beginner, Intermediate, and Children class, sign up before January 7th, 2022.

10/10/2021

10/08/2021

This week our President, Khem Khoeun, was a featured guest on REvolutionary Woman. She spoke about her parents escaping the Cambodian genocide and being refugees in Thailand; being born in a Thai refugee camp until they settled in Chicago when she was 6 months old; becoming the first Cambodian-American elected to any public office in the United States, representing the Skokie Park District; her passion for building bridges and promote healing in her community through her work with the National Cambodian Museum and Killing Fields Memorial, and her commitment to give space for emerging new leadership to help her community's presence and growth within the United States. To hear Khem's story, click on the link below or go to revwoman.com, Stitcher, Spotify, Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

https://revwoman.com/podcast/khem-khouen-skokie-village-trustee-president-of-the-national-cambodian-heritage-museum-killing-fields-memorial/

Khem Khoeun – Skokie Village Trustee; President of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial https://revwoman.com/podcast-player/241/khem-khouen-skokie-village-trustee-president-of-the-national-cambodian-heritage-museum-killing-fields-memorial.mp3Download file | Play in new ...

10/04/2021

Here’s a reminder to enroll in these language and music programs. It’s not too late and we have a supporter that can sponsor three interested students to take a class for free!

Please contact the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial for more info.

09/29/2021

Cambodian Film Featured at the Chicago Film Festival: White Building
In-Theater Screening
Sun, Oct 17 @ 12:00pm CDT
at AMC River East, Screen 4
Virtual Screening
Available to stream Oct 14 @ 12:00pm CDT to Oct 24 @ 11:59pm CDT in the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin
https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/white-building/

In the rapidly changing urban landscape of Phnom Penh, 20-year-old Samnang (Piseth Chhun, winner of the best actor prize at this year’s Venice Film Festival) spends his days with friends […]

09/16/2021

Save the dates for our upcoming events!!
For Stories and Music for healing on October 9th, attendees are limited, please RSVP to [email protected]

09/15/2021

Registration is open for Online Khmer language class Fall 2021

08/16/2021

08/05/2021

រស្មីដួងចន្ទ/Raksmey Duong Chan ("Moonlight") is a song that we can all relate to when we’re missing someone or longing to be somewhere. This song is dedicated to the Cambodian community members missing their family members and longing to visit their homeland.
The lyrics are:
ដួងចន្ទអើយ រះភ្លឺត្រចង់ វង្សចន្ទផូរផង អែបអង្គបំភ្លឺលោកា
រស្មីស្រទន់ ត្រជាក់ ករុណា ធម្មជាតិនានា បានសុខសាន្តអើយ គ្មានចន្ទពុំស្បើយ កើយទុក្ខរាល់ថ្ងៃ។
ពេលនិន្ទ្រា នាកណ្តាលរាត្រី ក្រៀមក្រំហឬទ័យ ព្រួយភ័យ ពីរឿងជីវិត បានឃើញដួងចន្ទ ឆាយាល្អពិត អង្អែលលួងចិត្ត ទុក្ខារសាយ ព្រោះផុតរសាយ រស់មានសង្ឃឹម ។
ចន្ទអើយ ចន្ទល្អកម្ររកផ្ទឹម អើ នៅក្នុងលោកា ចន្ទអើយ ខ្ញុំសូម ប្រាថ្នាជួបចន្ទ រៀងរហូតអើយ។
A poetic translation is:
“Oh the moon, shining bright and charming, beautiful. You are here to brighten up the earth. Your moonlight is gentle with calm and compassion. Therefore, nature is peaceful and calm. Without the moon, we will be in misery.
Bedtime, at midnight, I’m in despair with a lot to worry about in life. As I stare at the moon, so beautiful, very consoling, all the sadness is gone and it brings me hope.
Oh the moon, nothing can be compared to you on earth.
Oh the moon, I wish to meet you for eternity.”
- Adapted from comments by Punisa Pov
Punisa Pov, voice and roneat ak; Rasa Mahmoudian and Jennifer Leckie, violins; Seth Pae, viola; Tom Clowes, cello; Aidan Kranz, videography; and Miyu Morita, sound. Arranged by Rasa Mahmoudian.
Filmed at the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial
This video is from the project “Cambodian Day of Remembrance: Stories and Music for Healing,” which commemorates those who lost their lives in the Cambodian Genocide while celebrating the resilience of Cambodian people. The project is a collaboration between singer/storytellers Celina Chin, Saroth Loeuk, and Pich Houy; the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial and its Resident Artist Punisa Pov; the Cambodian Association of Illinois; storyteller Ada Cheng; filmmaker Thavary Krouch; and Crossing Borders Music. It is supported in part by the Albert Pick, Jr Fund, Illinois Humanities, the Asian Giving Circle of the Chicago Community Trust, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

07/27/2021

Our current board president Khemarey Khoeun was recently elected as a board member to the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic. This move is important to our Cambodian and Southeast Asian community that lacks access to legal aid and services.

In a statement announcing her appointment, Khoeun said supporting the legal aid clinic was especially important during difficult times.

"As a child of refugees who lives the immigrant journey, I bring experience, compassion, and authenticity. I recognize the challenges immigrant and refugee communities face and bring with me the voices of those often left behind," Khoeun said. "I am humbled to join the board. It aligns with my work in championing a community that is often struggling on multiple fronts."

07/09/2021

https://patch.com/illinois/skokie/illinois-first-state-mandate-asian-american-history-schools

The Teaching Equitable Asian American History Act requires every Illinois public school curriculum include contributions of Asian Americans.

07/09/2021

06/08/2021

Thank you NPR All Things Considered for the obituary and remembering a beloved member of the Chicago Cambodian community who lost her life to COVID at the height of the winter surge. She will be remembered by many. She was the embodiment of a life hard-fought and lived to the fullest.

Hak Phlong was a survivor of the Cambodian genocide and a beloved member of Chicago's Cambodian American community. She died of COVID-19 in December 2020.