In April 2015, Cambodia officially set a Guinness World Record for the largest Madison dance, with 2,015 participants performing the synchronized routine together at Siem Reap province’s Terrace of the Elephants. The event marked a rare blend of coordination, public enthusiasm, and cultural adaptation — as Cambodians came together to perform a dance that originated far from their borders but found new meaning on their own.
The Madison, a line dance that gained popularity in the United States during the late 1950s, is known for its simple, repeating steps performed in unison. Its structure made it ideal for a large group performance — but organizing over two thousand dancers to move in sync required significant planning, training, and public participation.
While the Madison isn’t a traditional Cambodian dance, its adoption have made it a favorite at weddings, festivals, and parties across the country, and this attempt in particular, into a national event reflects Cambodia’s growing engagement with global cultural forms. The record-setting performance became a platform for public involvement, particularly among youth and local communities, and showed how cultural exchange can take practical, inclusive forms.
The event also reflected a broader trend in Cambodia: the increasing use of large-scale gatherings — whether through dance, art, or sport — to foster public participation, civic pride, and international visibility. Rather than focus solely on the spectacle of setting a record, the organizers used the dance to build shared experience and highlight the country’s openness to creative collaboration.
