‘Hatred Day’… or is it ‘Anger Day’?
Back in 1989 it was called ‘Hatred Day’ (see this and the following 5 pictures). Today I don’t know for sure… But it takes place still. The surroundings have changed in 23 years, and now the parking lot is filled with big SUV’s. The trees have grown. The pits are shallower.
Initiated in 1984 by a regime seeking legitimacy, ‘Hatred Day’ (or ‘Anger Day’ today) commemorates the directive of collectivism declared by Pol Pot in 1975 during a meeting with all the CPK cadres in Phnom Penh. The Cambodian nightmare began for real… The commemoration was stopped after the 1991 Paris Peace accords but was still attended to in the provinces. Phnom Penh reinstated it in 1999. It is the occasion for the ruling CPP (Cambodian People’s Party) to remind Cambodians that the party claims the victory over the Khmer Rouge, particularly now that the Communal Election campaign is under way.
CAMBODIA. Choeung Ek (Phnom Penh). 20/05/2012: Actors impersonating Khmer Rouge victims during 'Hatred Day' or 'Anger Day' commemoration by the ruling CPP (Cambodian People's Party) at the 'Killing Fields' memorial of Choeung Ek.
CAMBODIA. Choeung Ek(Phnom Penh). 20/05/2012: Actors impersonating Khmer Rouge soldiers during 'Hatred Day' or 'Anger Day' commemoration by the ruling CPP (Cambodian People's Party) at the 'Killing Fields' memorial of Choeung Ek.
CAMBODIA. Choeung Ek (Phnom Penh). 20/05/2012: Actors impersonating Khmer Rouge soldiers during 'Hatred Day' or 'Anger Day' commemoration by the ruling CPP (Cambodian People's Party) at the 'Killing Fields' memorial of Choeung Ek.
CAMBODIA. Choeung Ek (Phnom Penh). 20/05/2012: KEP Chuktema, Governor of Phnom Penh, praying during 'Hatred Day' or 'Anger Day' commemoration by the ruling CPP (Cambodian People's Party) at the 'Killing Fields' memorial of Choeung Ek.
CAMBODIA. Choeung Ek (Phnom Penh). 20/05/2012: Officials praying during 'Hatred Day' or 'Anger Day' commemoration by the ruling CPP (Cambodian People's Party) at the 'Killing Fields' memorial of Choeung Ek.