US Grants More Than $80,000 To Preserve Preah Vihear
US Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy and Phoeurng Sackona, Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, attended the signing ceremony at Preah Vihear Temple on Dec. 8. Photo by Lay Sopheavotey
- By Phoung Vantha
- December 9, 2021 3:31 PM
Aid will help protect ancient temple stairway
PHNOM PENH--The US government has granted $87,000 for the further preservation of the northern staircase of the 11th-century temple of Preah Vihear which is a world cultural heritage site.
US Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy and Phoeurng Sackona, Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, attended the signing ceremony at Preah Vihear Temple on Dec. 8.
The funds came from the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), which was established to help preserve significant cultural heritage sites around the world.
This third-phase grant will support the conservation and restoration of sections 6 and 7 of the staircase and two lion sculptures as well as continuing maintenance work on the drainage system.
The first and second phases of the staircase work were completed between 2018 and 2021 from a total grant of $320,000.
Ambassador Murphy said he was proud to announce an important contribution to further assist in the preservation of the magnificent Preah Vihear Temple.
"The United States will continue to be an important partner in efforts to preserve the Kingdom’s ancient wonders," he said.
Phoeurng Sackona said she warmly welcomed the grant from US Department of State for the third phase project.
“I believe that our concerted efforts will be able to preserve this masterpiece of art for the next generations, and it will represent cultural ties between the two countries and the two peoples," she said.
The Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) was established to help preserve significant cultural heritage sites around the world.
Under AFCP grants and other funding, the US Government has provided Cambodia with more than $5 million since 2001 to help preserve other significant cultural heritage sites, objects and documentation in Cambodia including the Phnom Bakheng Banteay Srey Temples, the National Museum, the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Angkor Borei Museum.
