GIZ of Germany is an important partner in training a new generation of Cambodia in the field of stone conservation and treatment at the Angkor site, said the APSARA National Authority (ANA).
According to ANA, among the many international institutions that have contributed to the conservation and restoration work in the Angkor area, the GIZ of Germany has been working to help train Cambodia’s human resources in stone treatment and conservation for many years to increase the number of experts, and strengthen their capacity to continue to preserve ancient temples in the Angkor area by Cambodians.
Mr. Christoph BUECKER, GIZ Stone Conservation Specialist, said that GIZ’s presence in the Angkor area was to train Cambodian experts working in the ANA to observe the stones and further promote stone conservation skills, stone carvings, and stone treatment at ancient temples.
Since 2007, GIZ has been helping to train many Cambodians in the field of stone conservation, and this training is divided into sessions for three years, he stated, adding that currently, GIZ also has many other projects for training Cambodian human resources. These projects use the funds of the GIZ of Germany to supply both theoretical and technical materials to be brought in from abroad during each course.
Mr. BUECKER continued that GIZ has also donated some equipment to the laboratory, with a testing machine that can test some stones, as well as help neutralise the salt on the stones and remove salt from the stones as well.
The GIZ stone conservation specialist, emphasised that through the training of stone conservation and treatment, nowadays a new generation of Cambodian experts has been able to work at restoration sites without the need for foreign experts like before. In addition, he said, all participants seem to love the heritage of their ancestors and work hard to learn to become an expert, who knows how to observe the stones and continue to maintain their heritage.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press