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International symposium on the “Safeguarding the Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom” Project held in Tokyo
On the 1 February 2025 a scientific divulgation symposium was held at the Waseda University in Tokyo, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the “Safeguarding the Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom” project, an ambitious initiative born out of the collaboration between UNESCO, Cambodia, and Japan, for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable development of the Bayon Temple, one of the most distinctive structures of the Angkor Archaeological Park.
The event saw the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine-Arts, the APSARA National Authority, the Sambor Prei Kuk National Authority, and UNESCO Phnom Penh Office, the adhoc experts of the ICC-Angkor/Sambor Prei Kuk. as well as various experts in heritage conservation and sustainable development from both Cambodia and Japan, including Professor Takeshi Nakagawa, Co-Director of the Japan-APSARA Team for the Safeguarding of Angkor (JASA). This gathering represented an opportunity to commemorate the long history of the project on a global stage, and showcase its significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in the country of Cambodia.
Over the last three decades, this unique collaboration has prompted the development of innovative methods and techniques, combining traditional practices with cutting-edge technologies, to meet the ever-evolving conservation needs of the site of Bayon. In the course of the symposium, the main challenges, achievements, and contributions to the discipline of heritage preservation which distinguished this project were discussed, highlighting the consistent efforts of the JASA Team to safeguard the integrity and authenticity of the temple, ensuring the stabilization of the ancient structures and the preservation of its original materials.
The presentations encompassed a wide range of subjects, including the advancements in 3D modelling technology for the temple, structural mechanic research and geotechnical studies concerning the iconic face-towers, conservation and restoration methods for the intricate carvings and bas-reliefs, and studies on the complex ecosystem of Angkor. These topics were explored alongside discussions on the history and analysis of the enigmatic symbolism of the Bayon temple, which have accompanied the intense restoration and conservation work, contributing to our deepened understanding of the site and its outstanding significance.
The JASA symposium in Tokyo constituted one of the activities for the celebration of the important milestone of 30 years of the “Safeguarding the Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom” project, together with the organization of the “Bayon Symposium” which was held in December 2024 in Siem Reap (UNESCO celebrates 30 years of the “Safeguarding the Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom” Project), the institution of a temporary exhibition at the Bayon Information Centre in Siem Reap, and the publication of a scientific volume.
These initiatives are a testament to the multicultural and collaborative environment which has been at the heart of this project, which was characterized by continuous dialogue and free flow of knowledge and ideas between national and international experts, in order to contribute to the conservation efforts of World Heritage Sites all around the country of Cambodia.
Since 1994, the “Safeguarding of the Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom” project, and the long-lasting partnership between UNESCO, Japan, and Cambodia, have been representative of the transformative power of cultural heritage, and its potential to catalyse international cooperation for the preservation of the heritage of mankind, in line with the principles of the 1972 World Heritage Convention.
