Masters Prum Uth and Kung Nai traveled to the United States to participate in the Smithsonian Institute's Folklife Festival in Washington, DC, which took place from June 28-July 8, 2007.
The Festival featured the cultures of Northern Ireland, Virginia, and the Mekong Region. Master Kung Nai and Master Prum Uth had the honor of opening the Festival, and together with ayai singers, represented The Vocal Traditions of Cambodia.
It was a unique and very rare opportunity to see the two performers, who have never performed to the United States before. It is estimated that over one million people visit the Festival each year.
It was also a memorable experience for the musicians themselves, who got to know the local Cambodian American community in the DC area and interacted with a range of musicians from the Mekong region, including other singers from the Yunnan province of China, Vietnam, and Thailand, as well as musicians from Ireland and Virginia as well.
Their participation in the Festival was made possible by Amrita Performing Arts, Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the Asian Cultural Council, and many other supporters.
