Cambodia

An archaeologist's paradise

Nation: Cambodia National Day: 23.10.00

The relief sculptures on the façade of the Angkor Wat temple and shrine in Cambodia narrate the heroic deeds of the god Vishnu. In the 12th century, Suryavarman II, the Khmer king, had this impressive temple site built, in order to present himself as the incarnation of Vishnu.

Angkor Wat is one of the most significant archaeological sites in south-east Asia and has been declared a world cultural heritage by UNESCO. The temple site is the focal point of Cambodia's presentation. It was only in the 19th century that this overgrown ruin was rediscovered by French architects. At the EXPO Cambodia demonstrates the programme of reconstruction work.

A reproduction of the façade of the temple welcomes the visitor. Another central theme of the exhibition is the Mekong River, south-east Asia's lifeline. Visitors can inspect a wooden bridge and look around a traditional Khmer house.

In a collage at the end of the exhibition Cambodian schoolchildren display their visions of the future with pictures and texts. These contributions were created in the course of a nation-wide competition.