Norodom Sihamoni

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In this Cambodian name, the surname is Norodom. In accordance with Cambodian custom, this person should be referred to by the given name, Sihamoni.
Norodom Sihamoni
King Norodom Sihamoni (2019).jpg
King Sihamoni in 2019
King of Cambodia
Reign14 October 2004 – present
Coronation29 October 2004
PredecessorNorodom Sihanouk
Prime MinisterHun Sen
Born (1953-05-14) 14 May 1953 (age 68)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, French Indochina
HouseNorodom
FatherNorodom Sihanouk
MotherNorodom Monineath
ReligionTheravada Buddhism
SignatureNorodom Sihamoni's signature
Alma materAcademy of Performing Arts in Prague
WebsiteOfficial website

Norodom Sihamoni (Khmer: នរោត្តម សីហមុនី, Nôroŭtdâm Seihămŭni [nɔroːtɗɑm səjhamuni]; born 14 May 1953) is the King of Cambodia. He became King on 14 October 2004, a week after the abdication of his father, Norodom Sihanouk.[1] He is the eldest son of King Sihanouk and Queen Norodom Monineath. He was Cambodia's ambassador to UNESCO and was named by a nine-member throne council to become the next king after his father Norodom Sihanouk abdicated in 2004. Before ascending the throne, Sihamoni was educated in Czechoslovakia and was best known for his work as a cultural ambassador in Europe and as a classical dance instructor.

Early life[]

Prince Sihamoni with his half-sister Norodom Buppha Devi receiving a bouquet of flowers from US Senator Mike Mansfield in 1969.

Sihamoni was born in 1953. His given name, Sihamoni, comprises two morphemes from his parents' given names, Sihanouk and Monineath. At the time of his birth and that of his younger brother, his mother Monique Izzi, a Khmer citizen of French, Corsican and Khmer ancestry, had been one of King Norodom Sihanouk's consorts after being a constant companion since the day they met in 1951, when she won first prize in a national beauty contest.[2]

She was granted the title of Neak Moneang and the name of Monineath at the time of her marriage to King Norodom Sihanouk in 1952. Furthermore, Queen Monineath is a step-granddaughter of the late Prince Norodom Duongchak of Cambodia, and the daughter of Pomme Peang and of her second husband, Jean-François Izzi, a Corsican banker.[3]

Sihamoni has 14 half-brothers and half-sisters by his father; his only full sibling, a younger brother, Samdech Norodom Narindrapong, was born in 1954 and died in 2003.

King Norodom Sihamoni meeting with South Korean president Lee Myung-bak at the Royal Palace in 2009.
King Norodom Sihamoni met with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe during the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, Tokyo, 22 October 2019.

Studies and life abroad[]

He has spent most of his life outside Cambodia. In 1962 the young Sihamoni was sent to Prague, in then Czechoslovakia, by his father. During the 1970 coup d'état by Lon Nol, Sihamoni remained in Czechoslovakia. He completed elementary and secondary education in the country and studies in classical dance and music at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague in 1975. As he spent almost his entire childhood and youth in Prague, the king is fluent in Czech. A movie directed by Vladimir Sís was shot about the prince in Prague in 1967, under the name "The Other Little Prince (Jiný malý princ).[4]

After graduation in 1975 he left Prague and began to study filmmaking in North Korea, and in 1977 returned to Cambodia.[5] Immediately, the ruling Khmer Rouge government turned against the monarchy, and put the royal family including Sihamoni under house arrest until the 1979 Vietnamese invasion, due to the invasion of the Khmer Rouge into Vietnamese territories and killing innocent Vietnamese civilians.

In 1981 he moved to France to teach ballet, and was later president of the Khmer Dance Association. He lived in France for nearly 20 years, regularly visiting Prague, where he had spent his childhood and youth.

In 1993 the prince was appointed Cambodia's delegate to UNESCO in Paris, where he became known for his hard work and his devotion to Cambodian culture. He had previously refused an appointment as Cambodia's ambassador to France.[6]

Languages[]

Besides his native Khmer, Norodom Sihamoni speaks Czech fluently, the only ruling monarch in the world to do so.[7] The king is also fluent in French and is a conversational speaker of English and Russian.

Reign[]

On 14 October 2004 he was selected by a special nine-member council, part of a selection process that was quickly put in place after the surprise abdication of King Norodom Sihanouk a week before. Sihamoni's selection was endorsed by Prime Minister Hun Sen and National Assembly Speaker Prince Norodom Ranariddh (the new king's half-brother), both members of the privy council. He was inaugurated and formally appointed as King on 29 October 2004.[8] In his first speech as monarch, he pledged to be a king of the people who will be a “faithful and loyal servant” of the nation[9] and that he shall “never live apart from the beloved people." [10]

King Sihamoni and his parents, King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath, specifically requested that the ceremonies not be lavish because they did not wish the impoverished country to spend too much money on the event. On 29 October 2014, there were celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of his coronation.[11]

His majesty’s reign has been underpinned by an utmost devotion to the Khmer nation. Described as a humble monarch who regularly connects with his people[12], he has engaged in significant philanthropic efforts throughout his reign. For example, in 2016, he donated the $6.5 million proceeds that was gained from the selling of the royal residence in Koh Kong to the Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital founded by Beat Richner, which was the largest donation ever made in the hospital’s history.[13] In 2018, upon learning about the plight of his people affected by flooding in the provinces, he contributed essential goods to over 500 Cambodian families.[14] Reflecting after a royal audience with the King in 2013, then International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde, expressed how she was profoundly touched by his "thoughtfulness and compassion" and how he is "a monarch who cares deeply about the welfare of his people."[15]

The King rarely gets involved in the Cambodian political space, in conformance with his position as constitutional monarch and is considered 'above politics'.[16] At times where there had been politically contentious periods, he has played an important mediating role between parties, including calling for and bringing about national unity and reconciliation.[17] [18] [19]

On the occasion of his 68th Birthday, ASEAN described King Sihamoni as a monarch who is “cherished and well respected by the people of Cambodia” and as someone who exemplifies “dignified and humbled leadership”, characterized by his frequent engagements with the populace through local visitations. [20] [21]

Amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, King Sihamoni, alongside Queen Mother Norodom Monineath has donated well over $1 million to the Royal Government of Cambodia’s efforts to address the situation in Cambodia, inspiring a concerted public campaign across the country.[22] [23] Moreover, the King has made substantial contributions in the provision of essential supplies, including donations of food, water and face masks to Cambodians severely impacted by Covid-19.[24]

He also remains an ardent advocate for Cambodian arts and culture.[25] For instance, in 2011, he attended the completion ceremony pertaining to restoration works at the Baphuon historical temple in Angkor[26] and has been praised for his "essential role in the international community in favour of historical and archeological research", with specificity to Cambodia.[27] In 2017, he presided over the opening of acclaimed Cambodian-based film[28], First They Killed My Father, directed by Oscar-Winning actress Angelina Jolie, documenting the experiences of Loung Ung, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge.

King Sihamoni is a bachelor and has no children.[29]

Title[]

Styles of
The King of Cambodia
Royal Standard of the King of Cambodia.svg
Reference styleHis Majesty
Spoken styleYour Majesty

Before he was crowned king, his royal title was: Sdech Krom Khun (Khmer: ស្តេចក្រុមឃុន), equating him to the rank of "Great Prince". As king, his title is: Preah Karuna Preah Bat Sâmdach Preah Bâromneath Norodom Sihamoni Saman Bhumichat Sasana Rakkhata Khattiya Khmeraratrat Putthintra Mohaksat Khemareacheana Samuhobhas Kampuchea Ekareacharath Bureanasanti Subheamagala Sirivibunla Khmera Sri Bireat Preah Chao Krung Kampuchea Dhibodi (in romanized Khmer); Khmer: ព្រះករុណាព្រះបាទសម្តេចព្រះបរមនាថ នរោត្តម សីហមុនី សមានភូមិជាតិសាសនា រក្ខតខត្តិយា ខេមរារដ្ឋរាស្ត្រ ពុទ្ធិន្ទ្រាធរាមមហាក្សត្រ ខេមរាជនា សមូហោភាស កម្ពុជឯករាជរដ្ឋបូរណសន្តិ សុភមង្គលា សិរីវិបុលា ខេមរាស្រីពិរាស្ត្រ ព្រះចៅក្រុងកម្ពុជាធិបតី roughly translating to: "His Merciful Excellent Majesty Protector, King Norodom Sihamoni, who unites the nation, religion, realms, and people of Khmer state, the great king who is supported by Buddha and Indra, the protector of independence, unification, and peace, the Great King of the Kingdom of Cambodia".

In 2015, he was bestowed the honorary title, “Preah SriLoka Dhammika”, or “Virtuous King for the Propagation of Buddhism in the World”, conferred to him at the Sixth Bhuddist Summit in the year prior.[30] [31]

Advisory court[]

On 12 December 2008, Sihamoni selected twenty-six members of the Cambodian royal family to his advisory court, among them his half-brother Prince Norodom Ranariddh as chief advisor. Other choices included Prince , Princess Norodom Marie (estranged wife of Prince Ranariddh) and Prince .[32]

Criticism[]

Cambodia had no lèse-majesté laws until recently. In February 2018, Cambodia's National Assembly passed new legislation making it an offence to insult the king.[33]

Some Cambodian opposition figures have criticized the acquiescence of the king, describing him as too lenient towards Hun Sen's decades-long authoritarian rule in the kingdom.[34][35]

Ancestry[]

Patronages[]

Honours[]

National honours[]

Foreign honours[]

Honorary degrees[]

Namesakes[]

References[]

  1. ^ "People and Society ::Cambodia".
  2. ^ "The First Lady of the Kingdom"; The Royal House of Cambodia by Julio A. Jeldres, 2003 OCLC 54003889
  3. ^ King's biography Archived 27 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ http://www.csfd.cz/film/292603-jiny-maly-princ/komentare/ Movie "The Other Little Prince"
  5. ^ "The Only Monarch in the World Who Speaks Czech Fluently | Tres Bohemes". Everything Czech | by Tres Bohemes. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  6. ^ The Weekend Australian, 16–17 October 2004
  7. ^ King Sihamoni of Cambodia receives warm welcome in Prague, Radio Prague, 20 September 2006
  8. ^ "In Pictures: King Sihamoni's coronation". BBC News. 29 October 2004. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  9. ^ "Cambodia's New King Gives First Address". NBC News. 30 October 2004. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  10. ^ "When Sihamoni became King". Phnom Penh Post. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  11. ^ Willemyns, Alex (29 October 2014). "10 Years into Sihamoni's Reign, A Changed Palace". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  12. ^ "Norodom Sihamoni - king of Cambodia". Encyclopedia Britannica. 10 May 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  13. ^ "The unspoken truth of King Sihamoni's generous spirit". Khmer Times. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  14. ^ "King gives to victims of flood". Phnom Penh Post. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Cambodia: Moving Beyond The Frontier". International Monetary Fund. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  16. ^ "A King to unite the country gives the monarchy life after Sihanouk". Phnom Penh Post. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Cambodian king urges opposition to join parliament". Bangkok Post. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Cambodia PM and opposition leader fail to resolve election standoff". The Guardian. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  19. ^ "'Unity' key in King's message". Phnom Penh Post. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  20. ^ @ASEAN (14 May 2021). "We wish the happiest birthday to King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia! Cherished and well-respected by the people of Cambodia, King Sihamoni shows his dignified and humble leadership by reaching out through a series of visits to the rural and local villages" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ HM King Norodom Sihamoni surprise people for his visited. Meng Lyhour. Retrieved 4 September 2021 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "Their Majesties the King and Queen-Mother donate $1 Million for COVID-19 vaccine purchase". Khmer Times. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  23. ^ "King, Queen Mother donate $2M for Covid-19 fight". Phnom Penh Post. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Covid donations flow in from Monarchy, business community". Phnom Penh Post. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  25. ^ "King Norodom Sihamoni and his love for Arts". Khmer Times. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  26. ^ "Celebration of the restoration of the Baphuon Temple". Ecole française d'Extrême-Orient. 3 July 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  27. ^ "French society lauds Sihamoni for supporting art, archaeology". Phnom Penh Post. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  28. ^ "Cambodian royalty to open Angelina Jolie's film on Khmer Rouge survivor". USA Today. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  29. ^ "The King of Cambodia". Tourism of Cambodia. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  30. ^ "Cambodian King Granted 'Virtuous' Buddhist Title". VOA News. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  31. ^ "Royal Parade for King Norodom Sihamoni Honorary Titl". VOA News. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  32. ^ More royals could face political exit Phnom Penh Post, 12 December 2008
  33. ^ "Cambodia Passes Lèse-Majesté Law | Voice of America - English".
  34. ^ "Cambodia's king a 'prisoner' in his palace".
  35. ^ "Tenth out of ten". The Economist. 17 November 2012.
  36. ^ Embassy of Cambodia
  37. ^ Sobola, Marek (2017). Príbeh svätojánsky, Socha sv. Jána Nepomuckého v Divine / The Story of St. John, Statue of St. John of Nepomuk in Divina / ដំណើររឿងរបស់ St. John, រូបចម្លាក់ St. John Nepomuk នៅក្រុង Divina / Die Johannisgeschichte, Die Staute des hl. Johannes Nepomuk in Divina / Историята на св. Ян, Статуята на св. Ян Непомуцки в Дивина. Slovakia: Servare et Manere, o. z. & Kysucké múzeum v Čadci. pp. 74–76. ISBN 978-80-972614-3-6.
  38. ^ www.tkkbs.sk. "Biskup Galis požehnal obnovenú sochu sv. Jána Nepomuckého v Divine". www.tkkbs.sk. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "BIOGRAPHY OF HIS MAJESTY KING NORODOM SIHAMONI OF CAMBODIA". Khmer Times. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  40. ^ "Foreign honors awarded roster 2010". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  41. ^ "TO THE HONOUR OF THE MUSES - Honorary Doctorates Awarded by the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague". Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  42. ^ "Announcement of the Naresuan University Council - Title - Honorary Doctorates to be Conferred in 2015" (PDF). Naresuan University. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  43. ^ "12.26.17 International Nonprofit News". Philanthropy Journal - North Carolina State University. 26 December 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  44. ^ "CCF founder Neeson gets honorary degree". Phnom Penh Post. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  45. ^ "GardenWise - The Newsletter of the Singapore Botanical Gardens Volume 27, July 2006, pg. 29". Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  46. ^ "Search The International Orchid Register - Orchid details: Dendrobium Norodom Sihamoni". Retrieved 4 September 2021.

Further reading[]

  • Miroslav Nožina, Jiří Šitler, and Karel Kučera. Royal Ties: King Norodom Sihamoni and the History of Czech-Cambodian Relations. Prague: Knižní klub, 2006. ISBN 978-80-86938-75-2
  • Julio A Jeldres. The Royal House of Cambodia [Second edition]. Cambodia: The Sleuk Rith Institute, 2017. ISBN 978-99-24907-85-5

External links[]

Norodom Sihamoni
Born: 14 May 1953
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Norodom Sihanouk 		King of Cambodia
2004–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from ""