In September and October 2026, Arn Chorn-Pond will travel to the United States for his annual speaking tour, themed “Holding Humanity in Times of Uncertainty.” Through music, storytelling, and conversation, the tour invites audiences into an intimate exploration of how the arts can support healing, resilience, and connection in a divided world.
As global conflict, displacement, and social polarization shape everyday life, communities are searching for ways to respond with compassion rather than fear. In these moments, people need spaces to listen, reflect, and reconnect. Music and the arts do more than express—they create paths for understanding, empathy, and shared humanity.
Arn, a survivor of the genocide, musician, peace advocate, and founder of Cambodian Living Arts, brings a perspective shaped by lived experience. As a child, music helped him survive unimaginable loss; as an adult, it became a way to heal, rebuild identity, and restore dignity—for himself and for others. His story shows how cultural expression can carry memory, strengthen resilience, and transform pain into connection.
The tour engages students, educators, artists, and community members through storytelling, dialogue, and participatory arts experiences. By sharing stories, playing music, and creating together, participants are invited to reflect on their humanity, build empathy across differences, and strengthen the bonds that hold communities together.v
