Cambodia Reclaims Ancient Sculptures from New York

Cambodia celebrated the return of 14 looted sculptures from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, dating back to the 9th-14th centuries, symbolizing the Hindu and Buddhist religious systems of that era. This repatriation marks a significant event following years of negotiations involving Cambodia's art restitution team, U.S. federal prosecutors, and investigators. Culture Minister Phoeurng Sackona highlighted the importance of reconnecting with ancestral heritage through these artifacts, seen as a blessing for peace and stability in Cambodia. The returned artworks are believed to carry the souls of ancestors, embodying history, admiration, and knowledge for Cambodians. Plans are underway to repatriate additional artifacts from the U.S., contributing to the healing and reconciliation of a nation scarred by civil war and the Khmer Rouge regime.