hello! my name is DARA HUOT AND I AM A STORY TELLER
I tell stories that matter!
I am the voice for those who came before me and those who do not have a voice that can be heard. as a descendant of a nation, whose legacies echo through the generations. My work is a bridge between Cambodia’s past and its future.
My story began on March 3rd, 1983—3-3-3—a date lovingly chosen by my late father, Sou Chan Huot AKA. LIM TECH HUOT. In those days, it was not uncommon for families to declare a BIRTHDATE when registering documents, often guided by memory, meaning, or circumstance. Coincidentally, this very date was later designated by the Cambodian government as National Culture Day, more than twenty years ago. What began as a personal marker of love and resilience has become a shared day of cultural celebration!
A Legacy of Storytelling
I come from a long lineage of storytellers, as do many Cambodians. The revered master artist pictured here is a powerful embodiment of this tradition. His entire life unfolded during the era some call French protection, others colonization—a time of profound complexity for Cambodia.
With his chapey dong veng slung across his shoulder, he roamed from village to village, weaving oral epics of wit and wisdom through pure improvisation. His voice carried the spirit of the land, the laughter of resilience, and the quiet dignity of ancestral truths.
Many of his compositions endure in poetic form, studied and cherished to this day. They remain timeless reflections of Cambodian values—humility, humor, reverence, and resistance.
My mother’s memories were my bedtime stories. She spoke of the night she fled—warned by child soldiers that her entire camp would be sent for “reeducation.” That night, barefoot and alone, she ran beneath the stars and the unforgiving sun. She prayed to Mother Earth for protection, placing soil on her head as A sacred shield. She ran without rest. Soldiers saw her—but did not fire. She had left behind her husband and two children in separate labor camps—faces she would never see again.
This profound history of survival AND HER RESILIENCE FORMS MY GROWING UP EXPERIENCE AND LIFE PHILOSOPHY.
FROM SURVIVAL TO BE TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD…
From the streets to the stage AND from service to strategy—my life has been a devotion to creating positive impact.
I began as a child and youth vendor in the markets of Cambodia, selling with hope and resilience. I washed dishes and served meals in a school cafeteria, learning humility and care. I interpreted for foreign artists while touring with marginalized youth—raising awareness on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and dengue fever through art and advocacy. With a modest stipend, I helped student performers find second-hand clothing for circus trainingS. And for over a decade, I served as Chief Executive of Phare Social Enterprise—championing Cambodian arts, social impact, and economic empowerment.
Over 25 years, my professional experience expanded across travel, tourism, CULTURE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, and events. I ultimately led a team of 120 at Phare Performing Social Enterprise, better known as phare circus and phare creative studio, for 12 years, advancing a mission to create professional pathways for Cambodian youth and revitalize the arts. This journey, from a high-school music student to a leader in the creative industries, taught me THE VALUES AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ARTISTS AND THEIR ARTS IN OUR LIVES AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.
My dream is to develop, nuture and elevate a Cambodian brand that is both strongly reputable and internationally recognized.
Daraism & Artists: A Healing Response
Daraism & Artists was born from this journey—a venture rooted in peace, culture, and collective uplift. Co-created with my life partner and a dedicated team, our work honors lived experiences and shared learnings so that we may all: Learn. Exchange. Heal. Strive. Rise.
My offerings are designed to create meaningful connections and lasting impact:
- Experience Design: Thoughtfully crafted experiences that celebrate Cambodianness and invite guests to engage, learn and appreciate.
- Speaking: Keynotes and talks on purposeful leadership, resilient culture, responsible tourism, CONTEMPORARY performing ARTS, SOCIAL AND CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS, social entrepreneurship, team and organizational culture.
- Advisory, STRATEGY CONSULTING AND TRAININGS: Strategy and organizational culture consulting for values-aligned brands and social enterprises.
A Personal Invitation
I am fluent in Khmer, French, and English, and can connect across cultures with a little Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese. I cherish culinary discovery and believe in the power of shared experiences.
Our signature experience, “Day(s) in a Lifetime with Dara, Artists & the Magics of Siem Reap/Cambodia” is co-curated with you. It is a living invitation to connect, reflect, and rise. Our collections celebrate handpicked, diligently vetted artists, social entrepreneurs, and initiatives that embody our mission.
I hope you enjoy getting to know me more deeply—and perhaps discover whether we share the past nisay, that karmic thread, to engage again in this lifetime.
This 12-minute video, thoughtfully made by my dear friends, HĂ©lène and Visay, and narrated by their son RĂ©my, is more than just a portrait. It’s a gift of purpose—A quiet offering of memory for me.
I would love to get to know you and discover what makes us connect. You are welcome here.
