Phnom Penh: A new bilingual book celebrating Khmer identity will be unveiled to mark the Francophonie Summit (Sommet de la Francophonie), which Cambodia will host at the end of 2026. Titled “The Smile of the Cambodian People,” the work will be presented to presidents, prime ministers, ministers, and top leaders from French-speaking member states attending the summit in Cambodia. The smiles of Khmer citizens will be highlighted in this new publication, prepared by a team from the Thmey Thmey online news outlet and Wonders of Cambodia, with support from the Mani Foundation.
During a discussion held on 6 February 2026, Pascal Médeville, founder of the translation company Simili and representative of the Wonders of Cambodia team, explained that this book is intended to dispel the world’s misunderstandings and confusion about Cambodia, which is often seen only through distorted images. Having lived in Cambodia for more than 16 years, Médeville said that Cambodia is a very beautiful country, Cambodians are very kind, and Khmer cuisine is truly delicious, yet foreigners tend to know mainly Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese food instead. He added that some foreigners still only associate Cambodia with the Khmer Rouge, which is a mistaken perception of the country.
“I am constantly learning new things about Cambodia. Cambodia has rich culture, civilization, customs, heritage, coastlines, water systems, and many other tangible and intangible aspects that I continue to study,” said Médeville, who has long been engaged in research and writing related to Cambodian society.
As part of the project for this book, the teams from the Thmey Thmey and Wonders of Cambodia will collect information, stories, and accounts that embody the identity of Cambodia, in order to present them to leaders from French-speaking countries who will set foot on this remarkable land. Médeville further stressed that this book will be highly beneficial for Cambodia, as it will help foreigners gain a correct understanding of the country.
Ahead of its official release, Ky Soklim, co‑founder of the Thmey Thmey, shared some preliminary details. He said the publication will portray the daily lives of Cambodians, their customs and traditions, and the remarkable contributions of the Khmer people to the Francophone world, which comprises over 300 million speakers, and, more broadly, to an international audience.
“This book will present the unique characteristics of the Cambodian people and of Cambodia itself to French‑speaking countries, so that they can appreciate the country’s wonders,” said the veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience.
This publication, which showcases the smiles of Cambodia to the world, will be produced in two languages, French and Khmer. It is both a contribution to elevating Cambodia’s image on the international stage and a tribute to the Francophonie Summit that will be held in Cambodia at the end of 2026.
