Phare Circus★★★
Phare Ponleu Selpak — The Circus That Changes Lives
The Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus (Phare = "Lighthouse of the Arts") is Cambodia's most impressive social project — and at the same time one of the best circus shows you will ever see. In 1994, nine young Cambodians who learned art as therapy in the Site 2 refugee camp on the Thai border founded a school for disadvantaged children. Today, Phare is a recognized art school with circus, theater, dance, music, and visual arts.
The circus show is world-famous: acrobatics, juggling, theater, and live music tell Cambodian stories — from the Khmer Rouge era to everyday dramas to folklore. The performers are young Cambodians who might have ended up on the streets without Phare. It is powerful, emotional, and artistically top-notch.
Practical Information
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Performances | Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 19:30 (18 USD/person) |
| Duration | Approx. 1 hour |
| Location | Phare Ponleu Selpak Campus, Ochar Village, Battambang |
| Booking | Online recommended (pharecircus.org), possible on-site if seats are available |
Note: There are also Phare performances in Siem Reap (daily, 18–38 USD). The Battambang show is smaller and more intimate — here you see the performers on the campus where they live and train. The proceeds directly fund the school.
💡 Tipp
Arrive 30 minutes early and explore the campus — there are exhibitions by art students, and you can watch the acrobats training. After the show, you can meet the performers and take photos. Purchasing a T-shirt or drink at the Phare shop directly supports the school.
