Khmer Smile book printed in 3,000 bilingual copies ahead of summit
A new book about Cambodian life is being released as the country prepares to host a major French-speaking summit.
Monday 2 November · 20:18 · 1 min read
In 30 seconds
- The information minister, Neth Pheaktra, praised the book Khmer Smile, published in Khmer and French. [1][2]
- The first print run is 3,000 copies, released while Cambodia prepares to host the 20th Francophonie Summit in November. [1][2]
- The book was written by Khmer and foreign authors and aims to share Cambodian culture, customs and identity with French-speaking countries. [1][2]
What happened
At a press conference at the Ministry of Information on November 2, 2026, officials presented the book Khmer Smile, also titled Le Sourire du peuple cambodgien. The book is a joint work by Khmer and foreign writers, produced with the Medianet group and the publisher SIPAR. Minister Neth Pheaktra said the book is part of promoting Cambodia's identity and culture ahead of the summit.
Why it matters
For Cambodians, the book is one way the country hopes to show its culture to French-speaking countries and attract visitors. The sources do not give any measured effect on tourism or sales yet.
Background
The Francophonie is an organization of countries that use French. Cambodia is hosting its 20th summit in November 2026, and the book is presented as part of that preparation.
Key terms
- Francophonie
- An international group of countries and regions where French is spoken or used widely.
- Bilingual
- Written in two languages, here Khmer and French.
Sources (2)
[1] Fresh News រដ្ឋមន្ត្រី នេត្រ ភក្ត្រា៖ សៀវភៅ «ស្នាមញញឹមខ្មែរ» ជាផ្នែកមួយនៃការផ្សព្វផ្សាយអត្តសញ្ញាណ វប្បធម៌ និងគុណតម្លៃជាតិទៅកាន់ពិភពលោក 2 Nov Read original [2] Kampuchea Thmey សៀវភៅ «ស្នាមញញឹមខ្មែរ» បោះពុម្ព ៣០០០ក្បាល ក្នុងឱកាសកម្ពុជាធ្វើជាម្ចាស់ផ្ទះកិច្ចប្រជុំកំពូលហ្វ្រង់កូហ្វូនី 2 Nov Read originalWas this explainer clear?
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