The Japanese and Cambodian governments have allocated $1,5 million to fund phase five of the Bayon temple restoration project, a Unesco official said on Tuesday.
Unesco Culture Programme Specialist
Philippe Delanghe told The Post yesterday that the project which is
slated to begin this year will be completed in 2020. This is according
to a mutual agreement signed by the UN agency and the Ministry of
Culture and Fine Arts.
The project is backed by the Japanese and Cambodian governments, with
each contributed $1 million and $500,000 respectively, he said.
Delanghe said: “The financial contribution is necessary to continue restoration of the Bayon Temple.”
The fifth phase of the project focuses on studying and restoring the
central structure of the temple, as well as preserving its sculptures
which reflect the people’s daily lives during the great era reigned by
Jayavarman VII around the late 12th century.
Through Waseda University, Japan plays a crucial role in researching,
protecting and preserving the Kingdom’s World Heritage site.
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It has been financing restoration projects via the Japan Trust Fund for the Conservation of Culture World Heritage.
During the implementation of phase three (2005-2011) under the joint
framework called Japan-Apsara Safeguarding Angkor (JASA), Japan provided
financial support amounting to $3,268,286 in addition to the $500,000
contribution given by the Apsara Authority.
Unesco was responsible for the administrative arrangements for this project.
Phase four of the project, which started in 2011 and finished in
2015, was implemented with a $2.5 million contribution from the Japanese
government and $500,000 from the Cambodian one.
Greater understanding
A spate of restoration activity by various stakeholders throughout
the years led to the uncovering of many buried artefacts and greater
understanding of the Khmer empire.
Apsara Authority director-general Sum Mab said the fund will make the process of protecting and conserving the temple easier.
“The contribution indicated a huge participation by the Japanese
government in protecting and conserving [Bayon temple] which is part of
the Angkor Archaeological Park – a world heritage site.”
He said restoration within the archaeological park is very important,
noting that the effort would allow future generations to learn and
research the traditions and culture of the ancient empire reflected
through the historical structures.
Other than Japan, other countries have also participated in many of the Kingdom’s temple restoration projects.
Last year, a report saw China rolling out funds to restore the royal
palace complex within the Angkor Thom archaeological site in Siem Reap.
In 2014, Korea, via The Korea International Cooperation Agency
(KOICA), contributed $4 million towards a three-year restoration project
of the 12th century Preah Pithu Temple located within the Angkor Wat
World Heritage site.
Source - TheNation
