An unidentified boy runs at the top of the 10-century Bakheng monument at Angkor archaeological park in Siem Reap province, about 230 kilometers (143 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on June 4, 2006. The United States will donate nearly US$1 million (Euro 641,310) for conservation work at the centuries-old Bakheng temple, a famous cultural icon in Cambodia's Angkor archaeological park, the embassy said in a statement Wednesday, June 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)Thursday, June 5
AP
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - The United States will donate nearly US$1 million (euro 641,310) for conservation of the centuries-old Bakheng temple, a famous cultural icon in Cambodia's Angkor temple complex, the embassy said in a statement Wednesday.
It said the US$978,705 (euro 630,000) will be given to the nonprofit World Monuments Fund, a New York-based archaeological group that has been doing work at the temple since 2004.
Piper Campbell, the embassy's chargé d'Affaires, announced the grant at a meeting of government officials and representatives of donor countries in Siem Reap province Wednesday.
The officials gathered there for a two-day meeting to review restoration and development works for the Angkor archaeological park.
"Conserving its monuments, which are a crucial part of Cambodian history, is one way to promote peace and prosperity in the country," Campbell said in the statement.
The Angkor temples are Cambodia's main tourist attraction, earning hundreds of millions of dollars (euros) for the cash-strapped Southeast Asian country.
Angkor, the capital of several Hindu kings who ruled over large swaths of Southeast Asia, flourished from the 9th to the 14th centuries, leaving a legacy of architectural splendor in its myriad of temples, including the country's cultural icon, Angkor Wat.
Damaged by warfare and looting in the past, Angkor's temples now face the threats posed by deforestation, heavy rains and tourist influx.
Sitting on top of a hill, the 10th century Bakheng temple is a popular site for tourists climbing to catch a glimpse of the sunset.
About 3,000 tourists climb the hill in the space of just a few hours to see the sunset everyday.
It said the US$978,705 (euro 630,000) will be given to the nonprofit World Monuments Fund, a New York-based archaeological group that has been doing work at the temple since 2004.
Piper Campbell, the embassy's chargé d'Affaires, announced the grant at a meeting of government officials and representatives of donor countries in Siem Reap province Wednesday.
The officials gathered there for a two-day meeting to review restoration and development works for the Angkor archaeological park.
"Conserving its monuments, which are a crucial part of Cambodian history, is one way to promote peace and prosperity in the country," Campbell said in the statement.
The Angkor temples are Cambodia's main tourist attraction, earning hundreds of millions of dollars (euros) for the cash-strapped Southeast Asian country.
Angkor, the capital of several Hindu kings who ruled over large swaths of Southeast Asia, flourished from the 9th to the 14th centuries, leaving a legacy of architectural splendor in its myriad of temples, including the country's cultural icon, Angkor Wat.
Damaged by warfare and looting in the past, Angkor's temples now face the threats posed by deforestation, heavy rains and tourist influx.
Sitting on top of a hill, the 10th century Bakheng temple is a popular site for tourists climbing to catch a glimpse of the sunset.
About 3,000 tourists climb the hill in the space of just a few hours to see the sunset everyday.
thank you for assisting cambodia to help preserve our ancient angkorian temples. god bless cambodia.
ReplyDeleteYep, and we can used it to upkeep with the wear and tear from the millions and millions tourists. However, note that I am talking about the floors, not the precious walls. Nobody walking on wall.
ReplyDeleteUSA USA USA USA USA USA USA
ReplyDeleteGod bless the USA. Thank you for being a friend to little guy, the Khmer.
Actually, I thank HE Mussomeli for everything. I knew all along he was practical guy since his first arrival in Cambodia. I hope he can stay longer.
ReplyDelete