Festival Lotus: 19 Days of Franco-Khmer Excellence to Open in Siem Reap

Phnom Penh, November 6, 2026: Lotus Silk Farm, the world's only lotus silk producer, will open its doors from Nov. 7 to 25 for Festival Lotus, a 19-day celebration of fine craftsmanship, music and gastronomy held on the occasion of the 2026 Francophonie Summit in Cambodia. Daytime entry is free.

While heads of state and delegations from the French-speaking world gather in Phnom Penh this November, Siem Reap will host its own celebration of what France and Cambodia create together. For 19 days, Lotus Silk Farm becomes a living showcase of Cambodian master artisans, Khmer and French musicians, and chefs from both culinary traditions.

The festival is open to everyone: residents, families, travellers, delegations and media. Its ambition, organisers said, is simple—to give Summit visitors a reason to travel on to Siem Reap, and to put Cambodian artisans and their know-how in the spotlight, in line with the province's "Beyond Angkor" vision.

Daytime programming, running from 8 am to 6 pm with free entry, features stalls and live demonstrations by Siem Reap's master artisans, who sell directly to the public with no commission taken by the organiser. Live Khmer and French music will be performed, including a Breton fest-noz blended with Cambodian romvong, alongside Khmer and French cuisine with tastings by guest chefs. Free craft workshops for children are also offered, and Lotus Silk Farm's regular guided visits, lake experience and craft workshops continue throughout.

Evening programming, from 4 pm to 8 pm, is by reservation only. The Sacred Lotus Evening includes a sunset boat ride across the lotus fields, a blessing by Buddhist monks, craft discovery and dinner, limited to 30 guests per evening, with private bookings available for delegations and groups.

The full programme, including the names of invited artisans, musicians and chefs, will be released in October.

A complimentary shuttle runs from Maison Lotus, #36 Pithnou Street, Siem Reap town centre. Reservations can be made via WhatsApp on +855 92 52 9001, by email at contact@lotussilkfarm.com, or online at lotussilkfarm.com.

About Lotus Silk Farm:

Lotus Silk Farm is the world's only commercial producer of lotus silk, one of the rarest natural textiles on earth. The microfibres are drawn by hand from the stems of the sacred lotus, rolled into yarn and woven on traditional looms. Nothing in the plant is wasted: leftover stems become recycled paper and a natural vegan leather, while flowers, seeds and roots feed a lotus tea, a cosmetics line and a fully vegetarian restaurant menu.

Founded in Siem Reap in 2004 by French-Breton engineer Awen Delaval, the enterprise is recognised with a UNESCO Award of Excellence and today employs more than 200 artisans, most of them women from rural communities. Every management role is held by a woman. About 10,000 lotus stems are needed for a single scarf, and the farm receives roughly 4,000 visitors per month.

The farm is open daily to visitors for guided tours, boat rides on the lotus lake and hands-on craft workshops. A town-centre showroom, Maison Lotus, opened in July 2026.

Its recognition includes the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicrafts (2012), letters of endorsement from His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and from the President of the French Republic, the IET Innovation Trophy (2016) and Global Energy Award (2018), and the Asia Enterprise Excellence Brand / Business Excellence Award (2026). It is the exclusive supplier of lotus fabric to a leading international luxury house and a partner of nine luxury hotels in Siem Reap, with visitor ratings of 4.9 on Google Maps, 5.0 on TripAdvisor, 5.0 on Viator and 4.9 on GetYourGuide.

Delaval, who has lived in Siem Reap for 23 years, pioneered the revival of lotus fibre weaving in Cambodia. He served as President of the Artisans Association of Cambodia from 2006 to 2017 and is co-author of the book "Lotus Flower, Soul of Silk." He is available for interviews in French and English.

Reported by The Khmer Daily Network