Shadow Puppet Theatre in Siem Reap

Experience Cambodia beyond Angkor and discover the beautiful Khmer art form of shadow puppetry declared a masterpiece of intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2005.

The performance involves the projection of firelight to a white screen. Performers then use puppets made of leather to produce shadows and bring to life stories told over hundreds of generations. The stories told in the play often predate the oldest temples at Angkor and use puppets which are pieces of art in themselves due to their fine detail and relief.

Puppetry has always played an important role in the cultural and religious identity of the Cambodian people. It is usually performed to offer both homage to the gods that the play represents and as a way of communicating with them. The performance acts to elevate both the performers and the spectators to a higher level.