Cashing in on culture?

[TotallyOz]

THERE is no question that Angkor and its famed temples are among the world's archaeological treasures, providing a window into the Cambodian dynasty that flourished there from the ninth century to the 15th century.

 

But tourists who flock to the site in north-west Cambodia say something is missing; few artefacts remain to help them imagine the customs and rituals of the ancient empire.

 

Many antiquities were looted over the centuries or appropriated by museums in France, the country's former colonial ruler. Of those that remained, many were moved to Cambodia's National Museum, more than 300 kilometres from Angkor.

 

Now, a Thai company says it is trying to tackle the problem, opening a museum that borrows artefacts, including nearly 1000 Buddhas, from the National Museum and elsewhere.

 

But the Angkor National Museum, which opened in October last year, has drawn criticism from powerful detractors, including restoration specialists. Angkor was restored by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, (UNESCO), and others after the wars of the 1970s.

 

Some quibble with the museum's aesthetics — it includes a sprawling retail area — and with its sense of history. There are hundreds of Buddhas, for instance, that date back no further than the 20th century. Other critics object to the Thai involvement; Angkor was once under Thai control, and Cambodians remain suspicious that Thailand retains designs on their patrimony.

 

One critic, Darryl Collins, an historian based in Siem Reap, said the displeasure of some Cambodians was understandable. An enterprise that is foreign-led and "primarily interested in turning a profit", he said, can hardly be called national, particularly as Cambodia already has a National Museum.

 

Angkor National Museum was created by Vilailuck International Holdings, based in Bangkok. Under the terms of its contract with the Cambodian Government, the company agreed to transfer control of the museum to the Government after 30 years in exchange for the right to display treasures from the National Museum and from the Conservation d'Angkor, a national trove of some 6000 artifacts

 

For full article:

 

http://www.theage.com.au/world/cashing-in-...80706-32mr.html

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I visited this museum in November shortly after it opened. It is pretty dreadful as museums go. Very little interpretation of artifacts. Quite expensive for what it is. And for such a huge building the collection is fairly tiny.

 

Siem Reap could use a good museum with a good collection that explains Khmer civilization. I was lucky enough to have my own guide and to have done some research in advance, but not everyone has that. Unfortunately the National Museum in PP is not so great either. Lots of Buddha images but again very little explanation or interpretation. And lots of women trying to sell you incense and other items for all of the Buddhas.