Heritage Speaks No.3 – International Cooperation and Conservation Excellence at Angkor and Koh Ker, Cambodia

The third installment in the Heritage Speaks series will spotlight Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park and Koh Ker, and the cutting-edge efforts undertaken to preserve and restore the historic landmarks.

Art historians, curators, and archaeologists will illuminate issues the site faces, including natural erosion and looting, and the challenges in creating a balanced tourism system. Since 1989, WMF has been involved at the site, partnering with the Cambodian government to help build local technical capacity to aid restoration efforts throughout the park.  

Over the years, teams from across the globe have worked tirelessly to safeguard this architectural and historical treasure, while educational initiatives and cultural programs aim to provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of its history and cultural significance. As the challenge of preserving this cultural site persists, this conversation aims to renew awareness of the importance of these efforts to ensure that the legacy of Khmer civilization can be preserved for future generations.

Register here to attend. The event will be live streamed starting at 6:00pm ET on Villa Albertine’s Youtube channel.

Speakers

Yiannis Avramides, Senior Director of Programs, World Monuments Fund

Yiannis Avramides is the Senior Director of Programs at World Monuments Fund in New York, where he focuses on the practical aspects of heritage conservation, including project development and management and the internal administration of the Programs department. In his role, he supports the development and implementation of strategies that enhance the conservation of built heritage, working closely with a variety of stakeholders to ensure effective outcomes. Yiannis has led the World Monuments Watch program, the organization’s nomination-based program that connects local heritage preservation to global awareness and action, and he has participated in conservation field projects at sites that span the globe, including Cambodia, France, Greece, Haiti, the Old City of Jerusalem, and others. He earned a BSE in Civil Engineering and Architecture from Princeton University in 2008 and an MS in Historic Preservation from Columbia University in 2010.

Eric Bourdonneau, Archeologist, Ecole Française d’Extrême Orient

Éric Bourdonneau is a historian and archaeologist specializing in ancient Cambodia. Since 2007, he has been “Maître de Conférences” (Assistant Professor) at the French School of Asian Studies (EFEO) and member of the “Southeast Asia Center” laboratory (Cnrs/Inalco/Ehess). He also teaches the history and epigraphy of ancient Cambodia at the School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Paris. Head of the EFEO center in Siem Reap from 2016 to 2019 and again from summer 2024, he is leading several research programs both on Angkor and on the ancient capital of Koh Ker in collaboration with the Cambodian authorities. Since 2019 in particular, he is in charge of the restoration program of the monumental statue of the dancing Shiva at Prasat Thom in Koh Ker, in collaboration with the National Authority for Preah Vihear (NAPV).

Darlene McCloud, Executive Vice President, World Monuments Fund

Darlene McCloud, who joined WMF in 2012, directs WMF’s programs in China and Japan.  She previously served as Vice President for Development. Ms. McCloud led the effort to protect Times Square for the Municipal Art Society, founded the first field office for the Land Trust Alliance for New York State, and served as President of the Preservation League of New York State. She was the Vice President for Development for the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts and Director of Advancement for Florida Gulf Coast University. She is a graduate of Florida State University and earned her M.S. in Historic Preservation from Columbia University.

Yves Ubelman, Co-founder and CEO of Iconem. 

Architect since 2006, Yves Ubelmann began his career working in the Middle East and Central Asia, where he carried out surveys of archeological sites using photogrammetry. In 2013, he founded the ICONEM start-up whose mission is to digitize endangered heritage sites around the world to ensure their transmission to future generations.

About Heritage Speaks

Villa Albertine, in partnership with World Monuments Funds (WMF), presents Heritage Speaks, a series of public debates revealing the various threats facing cultural heritage sites across the globe today. From climate change and mass tourism to the damage resulting from armed conflicts, this series aims to unpack the challenges facing historic sites and the best preservation solutions emerging among experts and local communities.

Heritage Speaks is organized with the support of Albertine Foundation.