The man who has accompanied Angkor Wat every step of the way
In recent years, some key parts of the seemingly endless temple complex have been preserved and restored. International teams have supported Cambodia. One person who has been involved from the very beginning is Nary Long. Back in the 1990s, Long, who is from Cambodia, worked with Professor Hans Leisen from Cologne University of Applied Sciences. The German geoscientist was involved in conservation efforts from the outset, with the German Apsara Conservation Project. Long is now 54 and employed by Angkor’s APSARA National Authority for preservation, as the chief conservator in the Stone Conservation Unit. The SCU has been supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH since 2007.
Training in stone restoration
On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ supports the initial and continuing training of stone conservators through the deployment of development workers. Eight development workers have been seconded to Cambodia so far. The two currently working in Cambodia are Helen Jacobsen and Christoph Bücker. Jacobsen has a degree in stone restoration, while Bücker is a master stonemason and stone sculptor. ‘A World Heritage Site should always be preserved by the descendants of its creators, and not just by international experts,’ says Jacobsen. ‘The Khmer people have to take the lead.’ Long and Bücker agree, and together the three form the heart of the training team.