US Grants $450,000 for Bakheng Restoration
US Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy and Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, presided over a signing ceremony on Dec. 1 at the temple. Photo: Isa Rohany
- By Torn Chanritheara
- December 1, 2023 4:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – The US has committed a grant of $450,000 for the continued effort to restore Phnom Bakheng temple in Siem Reap.
The grant, from the Department of State Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), has been awarded to World Monument Fund (WMF) which oversees restoration and conservation.
The is the eighth grant provided by AFCP since 2004 with a total of more than $4 million.
US Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy and Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, presided over a signing ceremony on Dec. 1 at the temple.
The grant was the biggest from AFCP in the East Asia-Pacific region this year, Murphy said.
“The United States is proud of the longstanding and strong US-Cambodia cultural partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts,” he said.
“The Phnom Bakheng temple is a cultural treasure, and also a top destination in Cambodia to experience awe-inspiring Angkor sunsets.”
Over the past 20 years, the US has supported a wide range of projects at the temple, including foundation repairs, stone conservation, waterproofing system installation, and the reassembly of walls and terraces.
The US Embassy said the latest grant will continue these efforts and enable WMF to train and employ Cambodians to take part in this and other cultural heritage restorations.
Later this year, WMF will inaugurate a new phase of work at the site which will include the conservation of the west half of the temple and construction of a visitor center.
