Bassac Theatre sold to business tycoon

Contrary to the assertions of legendary Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann, heritage can be sold.

Those who survived the apocalypse unleashed by the Khmer Rouge, which was particularly brutal in pursuing of Cambodia’s artists, trickled back into the city and began trying to rebuild their lives.

The theatre became the soul of this battered community, a bright spot in an otherwise dead world that evoked a cultural richness which would never be fully revived.

Nearly three decades on that bright spot is dimming as the site on which Cambodia’s national theatre sits has been leased to a private developer and the building doomed to be razed.

Its artists, who have soldiered on against darkness, wet and neglect since a fire gutted the auditorium and stage area in 1994, were offered 300 dollars each and told last month to leave.

By most people’s estimations, it was only a matter of time before the aging and decrepit Bassac Theatre had to go. That it went in a completely nontransparent sweetheart deal to one of Cambodia’s richest businessmen really should come as no surprise.