January 25, 2006

interviewing a living legend

if malcom x and mumia is to black afrikans the symbol of resiliency, then quickly ask yourself, who is cambodia's representation? many names will come to mind and one does not have to look far. stare deep into our parent's eyes. all of them are respectable examples.

but if surveyed in a khmer forum like khmerconnection, i dare not challenge that many will list the 61-year-old grandfatherly vann nath. undoubtedly, his experience under kr is a testament of our people's undeniable strength.

mr. vann nath, as any khmerophiles are aware, is the famous painter of s-21, the kr's torture machine -- high school turned prison. for one full year in tuol sleng, he painted kr propaganda and of pol pot. for his talent, his life was spared. for being alive, he witnessed humanity's cruelest moments of execution.

i had the great honor not only to meet and greet mr. vann nath, but to fulfill one of my wish list -- to conduct an interview -- for the phnom penh post.

and from all the articles written about him and documentaries that featured the gray-haired gentle soul, no words in any language can amount the experience and feeling that captivated me during this most memorable dialogue. he spoke soft and eloquently just like i imagined. every word was like meditation for the mind and body. a humble man he will be remembered.

let me tease you all with a snippet of the interview.

post: how do you want others to remember you for?
nath: i am not going to tell others what they should remember me for. if they see me as a painter, a kr survivor, a grandfather, an educator, then let it be. my legacy is a matter of personal interpretation.
Posted by phatry.derek.pan at 23:19:55 | Permanent Link | Comments (18) |
Comments
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1 - looking forward to the article . . . . what an amazing experience. (Comment this)

Written by: danica at 2006/01/26 - 09:58:59
2 - Dear,
Thanks for the amazing interview. congratulations.
I'm a journalist from Nepal. I want to learn a lot from your country, specially political life. Can you become my pen freind and share some ideas with me? I would be very very happy.

Please do write to me at : razeno@gmail.com

And find me at www.razeno.blog.com (sorry it is in Esperanto language).

Regards,
Razen (Comment this)

Written by: Razen Manandhar at 2006/01/26 - 12:33:08
3 - Hello Phatry.
I am one of the many expats working in NGOs here in Cambodia. I read your blog with utmost interest. You are a very good writer/storyteller. I just gone through your entries from July 2006 to this month. I feel that you are full of thoughts and ideas. Hope to read more of your interesting articles at PPP and khmerconnection, and here in your blog, of course.
You wouldn't mind me linking your blog, would you? Thanks. (Comment this)

Written by: ZJ at 2006/01/26 - 14:40:08
4 - ...oops. I meant July 2005, not July 2006. Sorry. (Comment this)

Written by: ZJ at 2006/01/26 - 14:42:06
5 - Danica:

Thanks for dropping by with your busy schedule at Cornell Law! BTW, when is your next trip to Cambodia? (Comment this)

Written by: -P- at 2006/01/26 - 16:29:46
6 - Razen:

Chumreapsur from Phnom Penh! It's fascinating to hear that my blog/writings have reach to far lengths of the globe -- Nepal! I'd be more than willing to share you my thoughts about Cambodia's political situation. Feel free to reach me anytime via e-mail at phatry.pan@gmail.com.

I look forward to building a friendship with you!

Warm regards, Phatry
-P- (Comment this)

Written by: -P- at 2006/01/26 - 16:34:41
7 - ZJ:

Thank you for your kind words. I am appreciative and thankful that you have made the journey to Cambodia to help in the country's restructuring. From which NGO are you with, if you do not mind me asking.

And yes, feel free to link my blog with your site.

Best, Phatry
-P- (Comment this)

Written by: -P- at 2006/01/26 - 16:37:09
8 - Hi Phatry,

I'm a Cambodian-American from Boston; I just went to Cambodia to the first time last summer, so it is really amazing just to read your experiences in the country. You've done a lot more than I have! I'm learning so much about Cambodia and its culture...but anyways, your blog is a really interesting read, thanks for contributing to the freedom of the press, and don't get hurt again!

-Alex (Comment this)

Written by: Alex at 2006/01/27 - 08:46:03
9 - Thanks, Phatry.
I am working for two local NGOs, namely Mlup Baitong (www.mlup.org) and the Association of Buddhists for Environment (ABE). Mlup Baitong's project sites are in the provinces of Kampong Thom and Kampong Speu while ABE's just starting in Kampong Chhnang. Both are environment organizations, although ABE is a Buddhist org. (Comment this)

Written by: ZJ at 2006/01/27 - 10:49:22
10 - Alex:

Suasdey! A Bostonian in the house, eh? Law school in the area was on my list this coming fall, but that looks like it'll be pushed for a couple years as being part of History takes priority. UN Khmer Rouge Trials -- I believe will happen!

Share me a little bit about yourself.

Regards, Phatry
-P- (Comment this)

Written by: -P- at 2006/01/27 - 23:08:55
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