Prime Minister Hun Sen has christened a new history museum in Siem Reap, which holds relics of war, as the 'Techo Peace Museum'.
The museum's naming was formalised through a circular signed by the Prime Minister on July 7.
The announcement about the new museum was made on July 13 by Heng Ratana, director general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC).
Ratana expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for bestowing such a meaningful name. He pointed out that the Techo Peace Museum mirrors the intent of many other peace museums around the globe, including war museums in Okinawa and Hiroshima, Japan.
These museums focus on the lives of people during and after war.
Ratana elaborated: "The Peace Museum aims to educate visitors about the sorrow, sadness, loss, separation, tragedy, and destruction brought about by war. These experiences should prompt visitors to condemn war and recognise the immense value of peace”.
According to Ratana, Japanese architects designed the Techo Peace Museum to resemble an anti-personnel mine.
It will stand as the largest structure mimicking an ammunition piece. It symbolises the successful mine clearance led by Hun Sen and Cambodia's adherence to the Ottawa Treaty.
Ratana also added that the Techo Peace Museum will showcase war-related objects, tell stories about war, mine clearance, and the lives of Cambodians who lived through war and its aftermath.
It will provide a learning space for youth about the nation's history, supplementing the Win-Win monument in Phnom Penh.
In preparation for this significant project, the head of CMAC met with Japanese advisors, who are also facilitating the construction of the Technical Institute for Mine Action in Kampong Chhnang province.
