Siem Reap celebrates Khmer craft revival with Festival Lotus during Francophonie Summit.

SIEM REAP – As Phnom Penh welcomes the 20th Francophonie Summit, Siem Reap is offering delegates and residents a different kind of celebration. From November 7 to 25, Lotus Silk Farm opens its lotus fields for the Festival Lotus, nineteen days of craft, music and food, with free entrance every day from 8am to 8pm.

The festival brings together, for the first time, three houses of Siem Reap born from the meeting of French know-how and Khmer tradition. Lotus Silk Farm, founded in 2004 by Breton-born Awen Delaval, is the only company in the world to use the lotus from A to Z, from stem fibre to flower, seed and leaf. Winner of the UNESCO Award of Excellence and endorsed by His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, the farm supports more than 200 artisans, mostly women from nearby villages, and supplies lotus fabric to Loro Piana of the LVMH group. Artisans d'Angkor, heir to the Chantiers-Écoles that revived Khmer crafts in 1992, will demonstrate wood and stone carving.

Studio Stocker, the workshop of lacquer master Eric Stocker, will offer free eggshell and beetle-wing lacquer workshops, never presented to the public in Cambodia before.

Each day opens with a monk blessing by the lotus lake at 10am, followed by Apsara dance and traditional Khmer music. Free workshops welcome children and adults: carving, fishing, hat making, water hyacinth and palm leaf weaving, crochet. The Sacred Garden restaurant serves French pastries made with lotus, lotus ice cream and lotus craft beer. Every evening, the Sunset Monk Festival Edition combines a guided visit, sunset boat ride, workshops, dinner and an Apsara show, on booking.

"This festival is our way of showing that Khmer heritage is alive, creative and open to the world," says Delaval.

Festival Lotus, Lotus Silk Farm, Road 63, Siem Reap. Free shuttle from Maison Lotus, 36 Pithnou Street. Programme and bookings: lotussilkfarm.com