The objective for the cross-border collaborative project –Bangsokol:A Requiem for Cambodia–is to "disrupt society and speak out peacefully through art." The Taipei Philharmonic Foundation for Culture and Education was recruited for co-production, advocacy, and compiling information on the current development of related issues in Taiwan.
Bangsokol is set against the backdrop of genocide at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. After the development workshop and performance in Taiwan in 2017, the requiem has since completed its international tour across Melbourne, New York, Boston, and Phnom Penh. In preparation for the Bangsokol's return in 2022, the Taipei Philharmonic Foundation for Culture and Education intends to collect and promote cultural resources from Cambodia through fieldworks, research, and lectures on contemporary Cambodian society. For the survey and research portion, the Foundation had inverstigated three main themes: human rights, art, and Cambodia culture in Taiwan by visiting 12 related organizations across Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan as well as taking stock of potential partners for promoting future performances and resource sharing. For the lecture, Li Vuochheang (Chair, TransAsia Sisters Association, Taiwan) and Lin Chihyu presented traditional Cambodian festivals while artists Vandy Rattana and Li Kuei-Pi introdueced how to engage with contemporary Cambodian society through art.
Established in 1988, the Taipei Philharmonic Foundation for Culture and Education is dedicated to offering more diverse performing opportunities of choirs and has made great efforts in introducing outstanding international performers to Taiwan and in cultivating Taiwanese musicians. To introduce new perspectives for musical performances in Taiwan, the Foundation has supported performances of significant classical music from the west and continues to encourage Taiwanese musicians to create for the development and growth of Taiwanese music.