Queen Mother Library receives royal saxophones donation
The late King Father Norodom Sihanouk performs on the saxophone in this image from the ‘LIFE Magazine’ archive. DC-Cam
#National
Synopsis: A pair of rare instruments, one of them a French gift to King Father Norodom Sihanouk, join the national archives to honour Cambodia’s musical heritage.
The Queen Mother Library has received a donation of two rare tenor saxophones from Cambodian business couple Mom Sokunthea and Seng Takakneary in a gesture that highlights the Kingdom’s enduring cultural and musical heritage.
The instruments were formally handed over following a letter addressed to the Queen Mother Library director, Youk Chhang, who is also head of the Documentation Center of Cambodia.
In their letter, the donors—co-founders of Sentosasilk—said that one of the saxophones, manufactured in France, may have historical significance linked to Cambodia’s royal past.
The couple bought the instrument in 2018 from an unknown individual for $1,000, believing it might be of exceptional value as a potential royal possession.
Inside its case, they discovered a letter indicating the saxophone was a gift from former French President François Mitterrand to Norodom Sihanouk, the late King Father of Cambodia.
Recognising its cultural importance, the couple safeguarded the instrument for years. Although the original letter was lost during several relocations, their intention to repatriate the item remained.
Initially, the donors planned to present the instrument to the Culture and Fine Arts Minister, Phoeurng Sackon, but ultimately decided to donate both saxophones to the Queen Mother Library and the Documentation Centre of Cambodia.
Speaking on the significance of the donation, Youk said there is a deep connection between music and Cambodian identity, particularly through the legacy of King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
“Cambodia’s spirit is connected to music. Donating these two saxophones shows how music brings the country together,” he said. “The love for music in Cambodia is best shown through the life and legacy of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.”
He said that the King Father’s passion for music was shaped early in life by his parents—his father a flautist and saxophonist, and his mother, a ballet director. Throughout his reign, Norodom Sihanouk actively promoted the arts, encouraging ministries to establish orchestras and inspiring generations of Cambodian musicians.
“The King Father understood better than anyone that music was a powerful force for the human spirit and an integral part of the Cambodian soul,” Youk said.
He described music as a cornerstone of Cambodia’s cultural identity, capable of expressing the full spectrum of human emotion.
“The donation of these two saxophones is a great gift that reflects the King Father’s love for music, the Royal Family’s support of the Cambodian fine arts, and the Cambodian people’s unwavering dedication to their country’s culture,” he said.
The instruments will become important artefacts within the library, symbolising Cambodia’s musical heritage and the continuing influence of the arts in national life.
The library also expressed gratitude to Takkanarey for her generosity, noting that the donation serves as a reaffirmation of Cambodia’s cultural legacy.
-Khmer Times-
—————-
