POST KHMER: មន្ទីរពិសោធន៍រុក្ខជាតិ (Mystique Tropicals) ព្រះរាជបណ្ណាល័យហ្លួងម៉ែ បាននាំយករុក្ខជាតិកម្រប្រមាណជាង២០០ប្រភេទដាក់តាំងបង្ហាញនៅកម្មវិធីពិព័រណ៍រុក្ខជាតិ និងសួនច្បារភ្នំពេញ នៅមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលបៃតង Connecxion កោះពេជ្រ ពីថ្ងៃទី២៨ ខែកុម្ភៈ និងថ្ងៃទី១ និងទី២ ខែមីនា ឆ្នាំ២០២៥។
លម្អិត៖ https://www.postkhmer.com/lifestyle/2025-3-2-1154-261478
Meeting with a Founder of Mystique Tropicals, Virak Chey.
At The 4th Phnom Penh Plant and Garden Frair.
1. Origins and Concept
Phnom Penh Post: What inspired the creation of The Queen Mother Library: Mystique, and how does it connect to plants and gardening?
Virak Chey: The Queen Mother Library was born from a vision of harmonizing knowledge and nature, creating a space where learning extends beyond books and into the living world. Its connection to plants and gardening lies in its emphasis on biodiversity and environmental stewardship—essential elements in preserving both cultural and natural heritage. The Mystique theme captures the profound and timeless bond between humanity and nature, offering a sanctuary where visitors can explore, engage, and deepen their connection with plants in an immersive and interactive environment.
Phnom Penh Post: Why was it important to include a plant nursery in the library’s vision?
Virak Chey: A plant nursery within a library enriches the experience by fostering a deeper connection between people and the environment. It transforms the library into a dynamic learning space where visitors can engage with nature firsthand, making abstract concepts about sustainability and biodiversity more tangible.
By surrounding visitors with greenery, the space encourages mindfulness and tranquility, reinforcing the library as a retreat from the outside world. Additionally, it challenges the traditional perception of libraries as solely book-centric, positioning them as hubs for experiential learning and ecological consciousness.
2. Significance of the Nursery
Phnom Penh Post: Can you tell us more about the rare plants featured in the nursery? What makes them unique in Cambodia?
Virak Chey: The nursery features a collection of rare and unique plants that are either native to Cambodia or have been sourced from international locations. Some species are highly sought after due to their limited existence in the region, and they help demonstrate the diversity of plant life across different ecosystems.
Phnom Penh Post: What makes them unique in Cambodia is the educational aspect of these plants, which are often unfamiliar to the general public and contribute to the promotion of conservation and plant research. How did you source plants from Panama, and why did you choose to bring them to Cambodia?
Virak Chey: We collaborated with botanical gardens which specializes in the cultivation and preservation of rare tropical plants. Panama’s biodiversity is rich in species that are not only visually captivating but also play an important role in sustainable ecosystems. Bringing these plants to Cambodia helps broaden the scope of plant knowledge, enrich the local biodiversity, and provides a unique learning opportunity for those interested in tropical species.
Phnom Penh Post: What role do these plants play in promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability in Phnom Penh?
Virak Chey: These plants are crucial for raising awareness about biodiversity and the importance of preserving different species. By showcasing plants that may not be native to Cambodia, we can highlight the need for sustainable gardening practices and educate the public about how such plants contribute to overall ecosystem health. The introduction of these rare species encourages greater respect for nature and its preservation, directly impacting the sustainability of urban landscapes like Phnom Penh.
3. Public Engagement and ASEAN Popularity
Phnom Penh Post: Why do you think this type of plant nursery is so popular in ASEAN and worldwide but remains rare in Cambodia?
Virak Chey: In ASEAN and globally, plant nurseries that focus on rare, exotic, and native plants are a key part of botanical conservation and education. They are popular because they provide a space for learning, offer a unique aesthetic experience, and promote sustainability. In Cambodia, this concept is still emerging due to a combination of factors, including limited access to diverse plant species and a relatively low level of awareness about plant conservation. However, with growing interest in environmentalism, this type of nursery is starting to gain traction.
Phnom Penh Post: How do you plan to educate and engage visitors at the Plant and Garden Fair about these unique plants?
Virak Chey: At the fair, we aim to offer interactive experiences where visitors can learn about the history, characteristics, conservation efforts related to the plants showcased, and plant breeding which contributes to the future next generation plants. Workshops, plant care demonstrations, and talks by experts will engage visitors of all ages.
Phnom Penh Post: How Plants Can Save Lives?
Virak Chey: Simply growing plants, tending to them, or even talking to them can foster a deep sense of peace and emotional connection. Gardening can serve as a form of therapy, helping individuals process grief, rebuild a sense of purpose, and reconnect with life. The presence of greenery has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression—making plants not just healers of the body but also of the mind and spirit.
For genocide survivors who have endured immense suffering, nature offers a quiet refuge. It symbolizes resilience, growth, and renewal—echoing the strength of those who have survived. In this way, plants do more than sustain life; they restore it.
End.
Photo (L): Ang Sok-Heng, Co-founder, Turkish Ambassador Ülkü Kocaefe, & Virak Chey. Photo by Ly David, 28 February 2025.
Photo (R): Virak Chey, & Filipino Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo. Photo by Ly David, 1 March 2025.
Documentation Center of Cambodia Archives
CNC: https://www.cnc.com.kh/detail/news/63529
FN: https://m.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/378292-2025-02-28-08-43-06.html
Cambodge Mag: Phnom Penh & En Images : La Foire aux Plantes et aux Jardins fait recette à Koh Pic
https://www.cambodgemag.com/post/phnom-penh-en-images-la-foire-aux-plantes-et-aux-jardins-fait-recette-%C3%A0-koh-pich
Phnom Penh Post: How Plants Can Save Lives?
Virak Chey: Simply growing plants, tending to them, or even talking to them can foster a deep sense of peace and emotional connection. Gardening can serve as a form of therapy, helping individuals process grief, rebuild a sense of purpose, and reconnect with life. The presence of greenery has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression—making plants not just healers of the body but also of the mind and spirit.
For genocide survivors who have endured immense suffering, nature offers a quiet refuge. It symbolizes resilience, growth, and renewal—echoing the strength of those who have survived. In this way, plants do more than sustain life; they restore it.
End.
Photo (L): Ang Sok-Heng, Co-founder, Turkish Ambassador Ülkü Kocaefe, & Virak Chey. Photo by Ly David, 28 February 2025.
Photo (R): Virak Chey, & Filipino Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo. Photo by Ly David, 1 March 2025.
Documentation Center of Cambodia Archives
CNC: https://www.cnc.com.kh/detail/news/63529
FN: https://m.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/378292-2025-02-28-08-43-06.html
Cambodge Mag: Phnom Penh & En Images : La Foire aux Plantes et aux Jardins fait recette à Koh Pic
https://www.cambodgemag.com/post/phnom-penh-en-images-la-foire-aux-plantes-et-aux-jardins-fait-recette-%C3%A0-koh-pich