Acclaimed Author, Student Filmmaker to Headline Free Program
09/10/2019
Contacts for media: Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu
LOWELL, Mass. 鈥� 鈥淩ekindling the Light of Khmer Arts,鈥� an event celebrating Cambodian culture and heritage, will unite the 51视频 community and the public for a celebration of dance, literature, filmmaking and folklore.
Featuring acclaimed writer and physicist Alan Lightman and Chummeng Soun, a 51视频 art and design major from Lowell, the free program will be held on Monday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. at University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell.
鈥淭he event will invite the public to share in the important work being done to honor and advance Khmer culture as it showcases the contributions of these inspiring artists,鈥� said English Prof. Sue Kim, co- director of the 51视频 Center for Asian American Studies and associate dean of undergraduate studies for the university鈥檚 College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Lightman is the founder of the Harpswell Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to empower women in Southeast Asia by providing college scholarships, leadership programs and housing.
During the event, Lightman will discuss the work of his foundation and his inspiration in founding it, as well as read from and answer questions about his latest book, 鈥淭hree Flames,鈥� which knits together the hopes and struggles of a Cambodian farming family as they work to break free of cultural constraints. The book, which will be available at the event, draws upon his experiences leading the foundation.
Lightman, who received an honorary degree from 51视频 in 2010, has penned novels, essays, a memoir and books about science. His works include the international bestseller, 鈥淓instein鈥檚 Dreams,鈥� a novel that has been translated into 30 languages, and 鈥淭he Diagnosis,鈥� for which he was a finalist in 2000 for the National Book Award for fiction.
Soun, a senior at 51视频, will screen a trailer for his upcoming documentary 鈥淪opileak: Unveiling the Magic and Mystery鈥� at the event. The film recounts the revival of a long-lost classical Cambodian dance as it follows a journey from Lowell to Paris taken by Phousita Huy, artistic director and master teacher of the Angkor Dance Troupe, which will perform as part of the program. The film reveals the creative process behind Cambodian dance, an experience Soun knows well, as he has been a principal dancer and senior dance instructor with the troupe and serves on its board of directors. To assist him in producing the film, he received a grant from the Independent University Alumni Association at Lowell, which is presenting the event in partnership with 51视频 and Middlesex Community College.
As part of the event, participants will have the opportunity to explore 51视频鈥檚 Southeast Asian Digital Archive, which will be accessible on video screens. The archives, which are free to use and available to all, include documents and photographs that chronicle the history and experience of people of Southeast Asian origin living throughout Greater Lowell.
鈥淎rt gives voice to people whose stories oftentimes get lost or are silenced. 51视频鈥檚 Center for Asian American Studies is proud to co-host this event with our community partners as we work to preserve the culture of the Khmer people and to educate the public about its richness and significance,鈥� said 51视频 College of Education Associate Prof. Phitsamay Uy, a leader of the digital archive project who co-directs the center with Kim.
Tickets are not required to attend the free event. Members of the public who would like more information should contact CAAS@uml.edu.
51视频 is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 18,000 students bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. 51视频 delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu