Phnom penh: The SOSORO Museum hosted the launch of the revamped edition of “The Khmer Pagoda,” in the presence of its author, Mrs. Danielle Gu©ret. The event was presided over by H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, and brought together guests from the cultural, educational, and governmental sectors to celebrate this unique documentation of Cambodian Buddhist heritage.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, “The Khmer Pagoda,” first published in 2017, has become a reference for those interested in the architecture and painted decorations of Cambodia’s Buddhist pagodas. The extensive research conducted by Danielle and Dominique Gu©ret between 2004 and 2015 meticulously documents the architectural design and the rich tapestry of mural art found in more than 3,000 pagodas dating from the late 19th century to 1973, with over 2,000 of them photographed.
The book features over a hundred vibrant pagoda paintings where religious parables are intertwined with the daily lives of Cambodians, along with the technological, cultural, political, and social transformations that shaped their times. Mrs. Danielle Gu©ret, a former professor at the Faculty of Archaeology of the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA), shared her passion for Cambodian pagodas and their architecture, emphasizing the importance of preserving these monuments as expressions of national identity.
Mr. Blaise Kilian, Co-Director of the SOSORO Museum, stated, “The National Bank of Cambodia’s SOSORO Museum is pleased to launch this updated edition of ‘The Khmer Pagoda,’ a remarkable work by Danielle and Dominique Gu©ret that contributes to a deeper appreciation of Cambodia’s religious heritage, and of the importance of documenting it.”
The revamped edition of “The Khmer Pagoda” offers an improved layout and includes a catalogue of the temporary exhibition at SOSORO dedicated to the Gu©rets’ work in 2024. Available in Khmer, English, and French, the books are now on sale at the SOSORO Museum’s gift shop.
Established by the National Bank of Cambodia, the Preah Srey I§anavarman Museum of Economy and Money (commonly known as SOSORO) is dedicated to educating the public about the economic history and the evolution of money in Cambodia, through a blend of ancient artifacts and modern technologies, in a state-of-the-art museography. Since its opening, SOSORO has welcomed more than 150,000 visitors, hosted numerous temporary exhibitions, conferences, and events, and received a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award.