Culture minister Phoeurng Sackona (fourth from left) at the MoU signing event on October 31. US EMBASSY
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and the US Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art have extended their close cooperation, through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The agreement will see increased information sharing and professional development between the two, which in turn will promote Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage on the world stage.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the mater was signed on October 31.
Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona and US ambassador W. Patrick Murphy attended the October 31 signing ceremony in Phnom Penh, with Chase Robinson, director of the Smithsonian’s Asian art museum, appearing virtually, said a US embassy press release.
The release explained that the MoU established the signatories’ mutual goals as increasing the professional capacity of museum staff through exchanges, facilitating counsel on museum management, loaning and exchanging exhibitions and individual pieces, and collaborating on research projects.
“Through this MOU, collaboration between the US and Cambodia on cultural heritage preservation is strengthened, along with beefing up the countering of illicit trafficking of Cambodian antiquities and artifacts,” it added.
Cambodian authorities have repeatedly called for the return of looted artefacts from abroad. Many pieces have been recovered from various countries, including the US, the UK, and Australia, while many remain unaccounted for.
In recent years, the US alone has facilitated the return of over 100 priceless antiquities to the Kingdom. For the past 20 years, it has also contributed funding and training to protect, preserve, and restore Cambodia’s cultural heritage.
“This MOU is another testament to ‘robust US-Cambodia cultural cooperation’, which includes efforts to preserve and restore Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage and reduce the pillaging of irreplaceable archaeological materials,” the release added.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Smithsonian Institute to work together for conservation, training of human resources and storytelling, to bring our cultural heritage to the world,” said culture minister Sackona.
The Smithsonian’s Robinson added that through this MoU, both sides have pledged to continue their conversation and collaboration through the expanded open exchange and sharing of research and knowledge.
Since 2001, the US has provided $6 million in funding for the preservation of Cambodia’s cultural heritage, including grants to restore the Preah Vihear and Phnom Bakheng temples. The grants have also been used to support the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, create digital inventories of the objects held in provincial museums, and build programmes to create awareness on the importance of cultural heritage protection among the public, according to the release.
“Both of our countries recognise the value of culture in bringing people together and instilling pride in their identity and heritage. This agreement demonstrates an enduring US commitment to preserving the Kingdom of Cambodia’s culture,” said ambassador Murphy.
He also took to social media to express his pleasure at the signing of the MoU.
“A wonderful evening at the National Museum with Minister of Culture Phoeurng Sackona and Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art to formalise a new partnership with the Smithsonian that will help the US and Cambodia share best practice and train professionals in protecting Cambodia’s cultural heritage,” he tweeted.
