Library, Statue to Be Built for Writer

Khmer Times
Tin Sokhavuth

Legendary writer Kong Bun Chhoeun (center with scarf) and his family in Norway. Photo supplied.

Authorities in Battambang province gave the green light on Saturday to the family of legendary writer Kong Bun Chhoeun to build a statue, a library and a stupa for the late writer in downtown Battambang City.

Tat Kimlorn, the writer’s wife, wrote on her Facebook page on Saturday that the two chief monks at Pothivield pagoda in downtown Battambang City, as well as the governor, kindly gave her family a plot of land near the pagoda’s main entry to build a statue, a library and a stupa for her husband.

“Emotionally, I would like to say thanks to the chief monks of the two religious orders in Pothivield pagoda, who compassionately gave us a plot of land close to the main entrance for the construction of a library, a statue and a stupa for my husband who is also known as Poet of the Sangkea River Kong Bun Chhoeun,” said Mrs. Kimlorn.

She added that it was the first step to fulfill her husband’s wish of coming back to his hometown after his death and hoped her husband’s soul would rest in peace.

Thai Norak Sathya, spokesman for the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, declined to comment about the matter.

The well-known writer passed away in April at the age of 77 in Norway where he and his family were granted asylum after fleeing Cambodia in 2000.

At the time of his death, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts released a statement saying that the country had lost a great lyricist who contributed to the conservation and development of Cambodian culture.

“His lyrics, novels and other achievements reflected the reality of Cambodian society,” read the statement.

Mak Suong, a novelist and film producer, said Mr. Bun Chhoeun was a multi-tasker – he was a novelist, poet, painter and film director at the same time.

“He could write any kind of novel and his works were always different from each other,” said Mr. Suong.

Mr. Bun Chhoeun wrote hundreds of songs and novels for Cambodian society in the 1960s and ’70s. Most of his ballads fall into the category of love songs that are still heard on radios in the Kingdom today.

In 2000, Mr. Bun Chhoeun wrote a novel entitled “The Destiny of Tat Marina,” which spoke about his niece who suffered an acid attack at the hands of the wife of a government official. The novel was published the same year.

After the publication of the novel, Mr. Bun Chhoeun and his family received many death threats, forcing him and his family to flee to Thailand. But it was the Norwegian government who granted them asylum.

In a video about his last will posted on YouTube, Mr. Bun Chhoeun said he did not regret anything. After all, his life was meaningful. His only wish was to live longer so he could help Cambodian people preserve and strengthen their cultural heritage.

“In the name of the Poet of the Sangkea River, after all, I think my life is meaningful before I pass away. I have nothing to regret because I’m not a wealthy person. However, I wish I could live longer to be able to write more for my country,” said Mr. Bun Chhoeun in the video.