As I walked through Lansdowne Centre last Sunday, the vibrant colors and rhythmic beats of traditional Cambodian music transported me far from Richmond’s familiar shopping landscape. The Khmer Cultural Heritage Association of BC had transformed a corner of the mall into a living showcase of Cambodian identity – a community often overlooked in broader discussions of Canadian diversity.
“This is about preserving who we are while building bridges to who we’re becoming,” explained Sophy Ron, the association’s president, as she guided me through displays of intricate silk textiles and carved wooden masks. Behind her, young dancers in golden headdresses practiced movements passed down through generations.
The Richmond-based cultural event marked more than just a celebration. For many of the approximately 3,200 Cambodians living in Metro Vancouver, it represented a deliberate act of cultural preservation. Census data shows nearly 38,490 Canadians identify as having Cambodian heritage, with significant communities in Ontario, Quebec, and here in British Columbia.
Many of Richmond’s Cambodian families arrived as refugees following the Khmer Rouge genocide of the 1970s, when approximately two million Cambodians lost their lives. That traumatic history continues to shape community dynamics today.
“The first generation came with nothing but memories,” said Dr. Helen Tang, a sociologist from Simon Fraser University who studies diaspora communities. “Now their grandchildren are searching for connections to a homeland they may never have seen. These cultural events serve as crucial bridges between generations.”
The Lansdowne showcase featured traditional Apsara dance performances, with their precise hand gestures telling stories of ancient Khmer mythology. Nearby, cooking demonstrations filled the air with the aromatic blend of lemongrass, galangal and fish sauce that characterizes Cambodian cuisine. Children gathered around craftspeople demonstrating techniques for silver jewelry making and palm leaf weaving.
“I grew up thinking my culture wasn’t important enough to share,” admitted Jason Meas, a 22-year-old volunteer who was born in Richmond to refugee parents. “Now I see how much interest there is from the broader community. It makes me proud to share this part of myself.”
Mayor Malcolm Brodie, who attended the opening ceremony, noted that such cultural celebrations represent Richmond’s evolving identity. “Our city thrives because communities like this one maintain their unique heritage while becoming integral to our shared future,” he said, referencing Richmond’s reputation as one of Canada’s most diverse municipalities, where visible minorities represent over 75% of residents.
What struck me most was the balancing act these families perform – honoring ancestral traditions while navigating life in suburban British Columbia. This duality was perhaps best embodied by 17-year-old Rithiya Chhim, who performed a traditional flute melody before switching seamlessly to her role as the event’s social media coordinator.
“My TikTok friends are learning about Cambodian culture through my posts,” she told me with a laugh. “Sometimes I feel like I’m living in two worlds, but events like this help me connect them.”
The association has broader goals beyond cultural showcases. They’ve partnered with Richmond Public Library to develop Khmer language resources and are working with the school district to create educational materials about Cambodian history and culture.
“We’re building community resilience through cultural pride,” explained Channda Doeur, the association’s outreach coordinator. “When young people understand their heritage, they develop stronger identities and better mental health outcomes.”
This observation aligns with research from UBC’s Department of Psychology, which has found that stronger cultural connections correlate with improved wellbeing among immigrant youth.
The day-long event attracted visitors from across the Lower Mainland, including many non-Cambodian residents curious about their neighbors’ traditions. Local business owner Sarah Chen brought her children after seeing posters at Aberdeen Centre. “Richmond has so many cultural influences,” she remarked. “Events like this help us understand each other better.”
As afternoon turned to evening, I watched elderly community members guiding younger ones through traditional circle dances. The intergenerational knowledge transfer happening before my eyes wasn’t just about preserving dance steps – it represented a community ensuring its stories survive.
“We don’t just want our culture in museums,” Sophy Ron told me as we watched the dancers. “We want it alive in our children’s hearts and visible in our community spaces.”
In a corner of Lansdowne Centre, Richmond’s Cambodian community wasn’t just celebrating heritage – they were actively creating it, weaving traditional practices into the fabric of contemporary Canadian life. Their efforts remind us that cultural preservation isn’t merely about looking backward but about carrying identity forward into an uncertain future.
Before leaving, I stopped to sample nom ansom, sticky rice dumplings wrapped in banana leaves. The woman serving them, a grandmother named Kunthea, smiled as she placed one in my hand. “Now you take a little piece of Cambodia with you,” she said.
In multicultural Richmond, such exchanges happen daily – small acts of cultural sharing that gradually transform our understanding of what it means to be Canadian.
