The SOSORO Museum, under the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), hosted the launch of the revamped edition of The Khmer Pagoda, reaffirming the book’s status as a cornerstone reference for anyone interested in the architecture and painted decorations of Cambodia’s Buddhist pagodas.
Presided over by NBC governor Chea Serey, the October 22 event gathered cultural, academic and government representatives to celebrate the renewed publication of this seminal work.
The author, Danielle Guéret, was present at the launch, marking another milestone in her long-standing dedication to documenting Cambodia’s sacred art and architecture.
First published in 2017, The Khmer Pagoda has earned recognition as an authoritative source on the evolution of Buddhist temple design and decoration in Cambodia.
Between 2004 and 2015, Danielle and her late husband, Dominique Guéret, conducted extensive field research across the country, documenting the architecture and mural paintings of more than 3,000 pagodas — over 2,000 of which were photographed in detail.
The result is an irreplaceable record of artistic and cultural heritage spanning from the late 19th century to 1973.
“The Khmer Pagoda features over a hundred vibrant pagoda paintings where religious parables are embedded with the daily lives of Cambodians along with the technological, cultural, political, and social transformations that shaped their times, as the country underwent continuous modernization and growing exposure to the world,” explained SOSORO.
Speaking at the event, Guéret, a former professor at the Royal University of Fine Arts, expressed her deep commitment to preserving this fragile legacy.
“My ambition is that this fragile heritage be preserved,” she said, underscoring the need for continued documentation and protection of these sacred spaces as living expressions of national identity.
Blaise Kilian, co-director of the Museum, praised the Guérets’ contribution, stating, “The National Bank of Cambodia’s SOSORO Museum is pleased to launch this updated edition of The Khmer Pagoda, a remarkable work that contributes to a deeper appreciation of Cambodia’s religious heritage, and of the importance of documenting it.”
The updated edition features an improved design and layout, along with a catalogue of the 2024 SOSORO temporary exhibition dedicated to the Guérets’ work.
Available in Khmer, English and French, it can be purchased at the SOSORO Museum’s gift shop.
Established by the NBC, the Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum of Economy and Money — widely known as SOSORO — continues to serve as a vibrant cultural and educational hub, attracting over 150,000 visitors since its opening.
By hosting such events, SOSORO reinforces its mission not only to explore Cambodia’s economic history but also to honour and preserve the artistic and spiritual narratives that define the nation’s identity.
