To take the Angkor experience to a next level, the Apsara National Authority (ANA) signed a pact with Immersive Angkor in Siem Reap on Thursday that will bring the history of Angkor to life.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cultural heritage immersive experience will bring the latest in technology for creating a unique cultural phenomenon. With the MoU, the stakeholders intend to raise the profile of Angkor in the international arena, while giving a huge fillip to tourism in the Kingdom.
The new partnership will boost heritage preservation through an interactive museum, in addition to giving scientific guidance for historical perspective and ensuring cultural sensitivity. Immersive Angkor will have the responsibility to develop and manage the museum.
“This partnership aligns with our mission to preserve and promote the Angkor Archaeological Park. Working with Immersive Angkor allows us to enhance visitor experiences and contribute to digital preservation efforts, further solidifying Angkor’s status as a global cultural icon,” said Hang Peou, Director General of ANA, on the occasion.
“This collaboration is pivotal for sharing Angkor’s history through new technology,” said Soreasmey Ke Bin, CEO of Immersive Angkor.
“The Immersive Angkor Museum will offer a journey through time, deepening visitors’ understanding of Cambodia’s cultural heritage while ensuring the preservation of its legacy,” he added.
Long Kosal, ANA Deputy Director-General and spokesman stressed on the crucial importance of public-private collaboration. “The Royal Government of Cambodia, through ANA, is committed to welcoming investments in tourism that improve visitors’ knowledge of the Angkor Archaeological Park and enhance their experience. This collaboration with Immersive Angkor exemplifies how we can work together to achieve these goals,” he said.
The initiative goes much further beyond the mere museum experience. With extensive temple scans being carried out, it will mark an important milestone in building a digital library of Angkor temples.
With digital preservation, the legacy of the temples can continue for generations to come. Training will be imparted to ANA teams on the latest in scanning technology. Knowledge transfer will therefore be a prime priority of the project.
The proposal was initially brought before the International Coordination Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor (ICC Angkor) during its 30th session in December 2022. It was later brought before Prime Minister Hun Manet in January 2024 in an official presentation. The PM underlined its crucial role in spreading a greater understanding of Cambodian culture and civilisation, in particular for future generations.
“The signing of the MoU marks an important milestone, moving this project toward real implementation,” said Soreasmey, adding, “We are ready to start the work, with content development progressing well. We aim to open the museum by late 2025. While our focus is on making Immersive Angkor a success, we’re always exploring ways to further enhance Siem Reap’s cultural offerings.”
Housed in a new 2,000-square metre, the museum will have the capacity to receive 1,500 visitors every day. During peak hours it will be able to accommodate 180 visitors per hour.
(Source: Khmertimeskh)