From Bophana to Today: Cambodia WriterSo Phina Uses Literature to Expose Women’s Struggles
By Chhuon Kongieng Cambodianess September 1, 2025
So Phina published a historical novel in 2019 based on a true story in Khmer Rouge regime titled Bophana-The Flower that Never Wilts. Photo provided
PHNOM PENH – For So Phina, writing is more than words on a page. It is a calling, a way to preserve Khmer identity, and a fight against silence. Through her novels and translations, she confronts injustices that scar Cambodian society, especially the struggles of women, and transforms them into stories that both remember the past and challenge the present.
Phina’s voice resonates most powerfully in her books ‘Bophana: The Flower that Never Wilts’ and ‘The Past’. The first, published in 2019, is a historical novel that revisits the tragic life of Bophana, who perished as a prisoner at Tuol Sleng during the Khmer Rouge era. The second, ‘The Past’, published in 2023, delves into the hidden pain of sexual harassment victims, offering rare insight into their lasting wounds.
She is not only a novelist but also a translator, bridging cultures through literature. In 2020, her Khmer translation of Wildfire and other short stories appeared, and by December 2025, her translation of Coming Out of My Skin will be released. Her work, licensed from India’s Seagull Books, reflects her determination to bring global literature to Cambodian readers.
A Childhood Surrounded by Books
Born in Pursat province, Phina grew up surrounded by books thanks to her mother, a novel seller. “I was lucky to read many books when I was young,” she recalled. “But when I came to Phnom Penh, my studies became so demanding that I barely had time for reading.”
Even then, writing called to her, though she had little direction. At the Royal University of Phnom Penh, she pursued a psychology degree without realizing that a Khmer Literature department even existed. “Back then, I loved writing and reading, but I didn’t know we could actually have careers as authors, publishers, or even spell checkers,” she said with a laugh.
Later, she went on to earn a Master of Social Work from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. Yet despite academic and professional commitments, she never gave up her dream of becoming an author. Her training in psychology and social work deepened her understanding of human suffering, which became an anchor in her writing.
“I wanted to write books to give voice to those who have faced injustice and, at the same time, to preserve Khmer art and literature,” Phina explained. Working in social services, she encountered painful stories that demanded to be told. “Because I know about many social problems, especially sexual harassment and sexual exploitation, when I wrote ‘The Past’, I was able to really explore victims’ struggles and what they go through after facing harassment.”
Guardians of Khmer Heritage
Phina insists that writers, too, are guardians of Khmer heritage. “We often think of dancers and musicians as artists,” she said. “But authors also play a vital role in keeping Khmer art and literature alive. I want to see our literary sector grow like in other countries.”
Her journey was not easy. A decade ago, she struggled to publish her own work before eventually mastering the process.
In 2015, she co-founded Kampu-Mera Editions with Huot Socheata. Though Socheata later branched off to create Avatar Publishing, Phina continues to lead Kampu-Mera, which has become a respected publisher of Khmer translations from English, French, and even Indian languages.
Her commitment extends beyond her own writing. In 2017, she co-founded the Khmer Literature Festival (KLF) with the Slap Paka Khmer collective, a bold effort to bring writers and readers together. The annual three-day festival rotates among provinces and cities, offering panels, readings, and performances.
In June this year, organizers announced a pause for 2025 to reassess strategies, but promised its return in 2026.
Phina also serves as director of the Cultural and Creative Industries of Cambodia Association for Development and Advocacy (CICADA), where she champions the rights of artists and cultural workers.
Balancing her job with writing is no easy task. “I don’t rest when others rest on holidays,” she admitted. “Khmer New Year or Pchum Ben, I spend my time writing. Literature is my true passion.”
Still, translating literature comes with steep challenges. Cambodian readers often prefer original works, and translators face heavy upfront costs for rights—sometimes hundreds or thousands of dollars—before knowing if the book will sell. “It’s not millions, but it’s more than many of us can afford,” Phina said. “We have to pay first without any guarantee the book will have a market.”
Beyond the financial burden, cultural nuance demands precision. Her translation of ‘Wildfire’ by Banaphool required her to immerse herself in Bengali traditions and language.
“A translator needs to understand the original culture,” she said. “Even for locals, some traditions are difficult to explain. That’s why I read cultural documents and ask native speakers to guide me.”
She encourages translators not to work in isolation. “Don’t hide your ideas,” she advised. “Discuss them openly with publishers before deciding what to translate.”
Literature as Culture and Commerce
In recent years, Phina has promoted Women in Translation Month every August, using Kampu-Mera’s social media to highlight women’s voices in literature. She also urges young writers to keep honing their craft and join competitions, which can lead to publication.
Her dream is to see Cambodia embrace literature as both culture and commerce. “In the UK, the book industry contributes to the economy by generating profit, taxes, and jobs—from authors to publishers to book cover designers,” she noted. “I want our sector to have that same strength.”
Although Cambodia’s literary market remains small, the appetite is growing. Book fairs attract more visitors each year, and new writers and publishers are emerging. Yet, as Phina admitted, “Income and expenses are not balanced. Authors sometimes lose money just to cover printing. But most of us keep going out of love for literature.”
She hopes the government and private sector will invest more in publishing to help Cambodian authors thrive internationally.
“I always ask the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Economy to see the potential of this sector—to negotiate rights, to support translations, to help authors sell at international book fairs,” she said firmly.
An International Reach
Her efforts are already international in scope. Kampu-Mera has acquired translation rights from France, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, and Japan, and continues to focus on works already available in English or French for Khmer translation.
Through her publishing house and partnerships like Chakto—a program supporting creative industries with French government backing—Phina advocates for gender equality in literature.
For her, books are more than entertainment. They are vessels of memory, tools of resistance, and pathways to growth. “Khmer literature is valuable because it preserves our language, documents history, and reflects our society,” she said. “It can even contribute to economic development.”
And so, while others may rest, Phina writes, translates, and dreams of a Cambodia where books are not only read, but cherished as essential to the nation’s future.
SOURCE; Cambodianess, Cambodia September 1, 2025
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