Honoring Our Ancestors, Dreaming Our Future

On September 12th, under a shifting sky that moved from clouds to radiant sun, we gathered for CERI’s fourth annual Pchum Ben celebration, organized in collaboration with the Presidio Trust. This sacred ancestral holiday, rooted in Cambodian tradition, is a time to honor those who came before us. We honor elders, family, and loved ones who paved the way for us, often through unimaginable struggle. With monk prayers, cultural foods, and powerful dance performances from youth to adults (including 1.5 generation survivors of the Cambodian genocide) the day blossomed into a vibrant offering of remembrance and resilience.

For many elders in attendance, the event was a time for reconnection. When we asked about their favorite part of the day, we heard repeated that it was embracing and seeing friends who they missed, and witnessing the next generation carry the culture forward with pride.

As we reflect on this gathering, we are reminded that cultural traditions are not static. They are living bridges, linking past to present and weaving together communities across geography and experience.

In that spirit, we hold close our Nepali siblings. As Dashain and Deepawali approach, two of the most cherished holidays in Nepal marking the triumph of good over evil and the enduring light of hope, we recognize that this season arrives during a time of profound sorrow. We are devastated by the tragic loss of lives in Nepal this month - youth who stood for truth and freedom. With courage beyond their years, they demanded an end to corruption and dreamed of a more accountable future. 

We grieve deeply for the lives cut short, for the families and communities forever changed. Yet we also uplift the bravery of those young voices. 

Just as Pchum Ben calls us to honor those who came before, so too does this moment call us to honor those who dreamt ahead. While we honor Dashain and Deepawali, we hold close the belief that even in darkness, community can be a guiding light.

Together, we honor the past.
Together, we grieve the present.
Together, we act for a future shaped by justice.