Royal Government Officially Celebrates Return of 70 Khmer Cultural Objects

The celebration of returned Khmer Artifacts to the Kingdom of Cambodia was held here at the Peace Palace this morning under the high presidency of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. H.E. Ms. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, said this celebration was to officially welcome the return of 70 Khmer cultural objects, which are the legacy of Khmer ancestors, after being away from Cambodia for many years due to war, theft, and illegal trade abroad. The return of these Khmer ancestors' souls is the result of the great efforts of the Royal Government of Cambodia, in cooperation with all relevant partners, including public institutions, private sectors, national and international experts, as well as various countries, especially the Government of the United States, through the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Homeland Security Investigations, Manhattan District Attorney's Office, she said. These 70 Khmer cultural objects have been returned through a range of different processes, including voluntary returns, negotiations, seizures, and legal proceedings, from different collections such as from the Lindemann family, Jim Clark, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and other private collectors in the United States. Amongst the returned Khmer cultural treasures, there are some important Hindu and Buddhist masterpieces from pre-Angkor and Angkor periods, especially priceless stone statues such as a mythical warrior from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, statues of Shiva and Uma, and the statue of Ardhanarishvara from the ancient capital of Koh Ker, as well as the bronze head of Lokeshvara, which has been reunited with its body at the National Museum of Phnom Penh after being separated for decades due to war and illicit trafficking. In his speech, Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed this profound thanks to all officials and key persons for the successful return of these cultural objects. The peace brought by the Win-Win Policy of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, former Prime Minister of Cambodia, has provided an opportunity for Cambodia to bring back the souls of ancestors and precious treasures to our homeland, said the Premier. Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister said the Royal Government will continue this historic policy with strong commitment to protect and prevent the trafficking and illegal trade of cultural properties, as well as to search for and reclaim national heritage to build an enduring legacy for Cambodia's cultural and national identity for future generations. Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse