Cambodia celebrates 13 years of Preah Vihear Temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
By India Education Diary Bureau Admin On Jul 10, 2021

On 7 July 2021, the government of Cambodia is organising a tree planting ceremony at the Preah Vihear Temple to commemorate the thirteenth anniversary of its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Excellency Mr. Kong Puthikar, the Director-General of the National Authority for Preah Vihear, announced today that “1,113 indigenous trees were planted this morning along the roadside from the Sra Em village to the foothill of the Preah Vihear mountain to conserve the natural landscape and revitalize the rich forest of Preah Vihear.”

For the past 13 years, the National Authority for Preah Vihear has made tremendous efforts for not only the conservation and restoration works to ensure the value of the Preah Vihear temple, but also the promotion of ecosystem at the site in close partnership with the local community. This tree planning programme was run jointly by the Authority, villagers and schoolchildren of the area, in order to promote the conservation of cultural heritage and natural environment.

On the commemoration of the 13th anniversary, Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HE recalled the time of inscription of Preah Vihear on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008: “we take part in preserving and protecting all the ancient temples throughout the country for the benefit of all generations”. (Link to the Facebook post: https://fb.watch/6ATBnJh_mm/).
https://indiaeducationdiary.in/cambodia ... tage-site/

Cambodia-France parliamentary friendship team tour Sambor Prei Kuk
Ry Sochan | Publication date 07 May 2022 | 16:44 ICT

French senator Vincent Eblé and a delegation from the Cambodia-France inter-parliamentarian friendship team visited the Sambor Prei Kuk temples on May 7 to get to know more about this ancient site, and the preservation and restoration work that is taking place at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The National Authority for Sambor Prei Kuk said the delegation was accompanied by officials from the Embassy of France in Cambodia and several local officials. They were warmly welcomed by the officials at the National Authority.

“The visit was to promote culture and to understand more about the ancient site, the preservation work, and the restoration of some of the temples in the Sambor Prei Kuk resort.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... r-prei-kuk

Cambodia News (Preah Vihear): 2/12/2022 The National Authority of Preah Vihear completed the third phase of the northern staircase restoration project under the auspices of the US Ambassador's Fund for the Preservation of Cultural Property in mid-November 2022.
The restoration works comprised of conservation and restoration of the ancient staircase between the 6th to 7th levels of the staircase, the preservation and repair of 2 lion statues, setting up a drainage system under and on both sides of the ancient stairs, as well as promoting heritage education programs to school students.


It should be noted that in the first phase (2018-2019), the National Authority of Preah Vihear studied and analyzed the architectural risks involved in repairing the entire northern ancient staircase. They also excavated, researched the archeology, studied and prepared the ancient drainage system, and also tried to repair and preserve the 5th level staircase and a number of lions sculpture.

Meanwhile, the second phase (2020-2021) preserved and repaired the northern ancient stairs from the 2nd to the 4th level, preserved and repaired the 9-meter-long west porch bridge, preserved and repaired 1 lion statue and 1 pearl.

The National Authority of Preah Vihear continue to implement the second phase of the two-year project (2022 to 2024) to repair the ancient stairs north of the Temple of Preah Vihear from 11th to 14th levels with funding from the US Ambassador's Fund for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage.

Cambodia to Celebrate 15th Anniversary of Preah Vihear Temple’s Listing as World Heritage Next Week
AKP Phnom Penh, June 28, 2023 --

The National Authority for Preah Vihear will organise a grand celebration of the 15th anniversary of the inscription of Preah Vihear Temple on the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 7, 2023.

The forthcoming celebration will be presided by H.E. Mrs. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts with an expected participation of some 1,000 people who are representatives of foreign embassies, founding members of the International Coordinating Committee for Preah Vihear Temple (ICC-Preah Vihear), national and international guests, senior officials of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, provincial administration, National Authority for Preah Vihear, local authorities, and students.

Seventy-seven (77) Buddhist monks will be invited to offer foods and other necessary stuff.

In addition, there will be Preah Vihear Temple Run divided into two categories – 7KM RUN and 700 m WALK – at Preah Vihear Temple site, along with a concert on July 9 to make the celebration more cheerful.

The Temple of Preah Vihear, Cambodia's sacred temple on the Dangrek Mountains, was inscribed on the World Heritage List at the 32nd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on July 7, 2008 in Quebec, Canada.

According to UNESCO, Preah Vihear is a temple dedicated to Shiva. The Temple is composed of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases over an 800-metre-long axis and dates back to the first half of the 11th century AD. Nevertheless, its complex history can be traced to the 9th century, when the hermitage was founded. This site is particularly well preserved, mainly due to its remote location. The site is exceptional for the quality of its architecture, which is adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple, as well as for the exceptional quality of its carved stone ornamentation. Preah Vihear is an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture. It is very ‘pure’ both in plan and in the detail of its decoration.
- AKP