Griffith In Asia

Sociologist John Clammer proposes that it’s through the creative and performing arts that the ‘re-enchantment of the world’ might take place. In Cambodia, the traditional performing arts are ‘re-enchanting’ the country in powerful and sometimes unexpected ways, disrupting old stories and creating new visions of a better Cambodia. Our host, Professor Renee Jeffery speaks with music researcher Dr Catherine Grant, Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre about some of the exceptional roles the creative arts are playing in contemporary Cambodia, including redressing past wrongs, upholding democratic principles, advancing peace and justice, and speaking truth to power. Catherine has been conducting collaborative research in Cambodia since 2013 and completed a 6-month Australia Endeavour Fellowship there in 2015; she is currently leading a British Museum-funded project documenting the makers and players of the critically endangered traditional musical instrument Angkuoch.