Ministry Director Hab Touch Promotes Cambodian Culture

After serving as Director and Deputy Director of the National Museum of Cambodia (NMC) since 1996, Mr. Hab Touch has now been appointed to a new position in the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

Mr. Hab will now serve as Director-General in charge of the Department General of Cultural Affairs. This department is responsible for cultivating creativity in Cambodian within a broad range of arts disciplines and Mr. Hab will oversee five departments: the Department of Performing Arts; the Department of Cultural Development; the Department of Cinema and Cultural Diffusion; the Department of Fine Arts and Crafts; and the Department of Publications and Reading.

During his time with the NMC Mr. Hab was responsible for the world’s most magnificent collection of Khmer art managing many important projects protecting, preserving and promoting Cambodian cultural heritage.

Designed by George Groslier, who was born in Cambodia in 1887, the museum was built from 1917-1920 during the period of the French Protectorate in Cambodia (1863-1953). Groslier’s innovative design, with gabled roofs and carved doors reminiscent of ancient Khmer temples, remains a highlight of the fusion of traditional Khmer architecture and French colonial style in Phnom Penh. On April 13, 1920 the museum was inaugurated under the auspices of His Majesty King Sisowath of Cambodia. In 1920, George Groslier became the museum’s first director, creating the historic position in which Mr. Hab has recently served.

As Director, Mr. Hab’s efforts resulted in significant improvements in the museum’s capacity to accommodate visitors and in its collection management. Important projects have included the establishment of the Conservation Laboratories, the Collection Inventory Projects, the Renewal of the Electrical System and Lighting, and many physical improvement to the gallery displays and refurbishment of the building. The Museum Research Library has also been upgraded, and new educational programs continue to attract and train new generations of museum professionals in Cambodia.

Most recently, the National Museum of Cambodia hosted the launch of the Red List of Cambodian Antiquities at Risk, helping authorities focus on preventing pillage, theft and illegal export of cultural property.

In 2007, the museum published a multi-lingual museum catalog, Masterpieces of the National Museum of Cambodia, with the help of Friends of Khmer Culture and editor Dr. Helen Jessup.

Mr. Hab also played a large role in organizing the international exhibition of Khmer art, Angkor – Sacred Heritage Of Cambodia, attending its grand opening in Bonn Germany in 2006. The exhibition went on to inspire international audiences in Switzerland and Berlin.

Journalist Andy Brouwer published three excellent articles on the international exhibit: Museum Pieces on the Move; Angkor’s Sacred Heritage and Hab Touch – Khmer Heritage in his Hands.

The new Director of the National Museum of Cambodia will be Mrs. Oun Phalline, who has served as Deputy Director of the NMC administration office since 1996. She follows in the footsteps of another distinguished woman director, historian Madeleine Giteau.

Devata.org wishes Mr. Hab Touch and Mrs. Oun Phalline great success in their new positions preserving and promoting Khmer culture and Cambodia’s cultural heritage.

Article by Kent Davis – www.devata.org

Ministry Director Hab Touch Promotes Cambodian Culture

Robert Miras says:

May 14, 2011 at 7:36 pm

Large, comparatively flat temple displaying distinctively Angkor Wat-style architecture and artistry. The temple underwent extensive restoration this century by archaeologists using the anastylosis method. Banteay Samre was constructed around the same time as Angkor Wat. The style of the towers and balustrades bear strong resemblance to the towers of Angkor Wat and even more so to Khmer temple of Phimai in Thailand. Many of the carvings are in excellent condition. Banteay Samre id a bit off the Grand Circuit, near the southeast corner of the East Baray.

chamroeunlampard says:

July 29, 2014 at 8:06 am

The House for Client’s Need

Here is a ‘House Ber’ has been recently completed, leading to furniture shop in Phnom Penh construction materials reported.
One more thing this house is designed to fill up to the client’s need such as an open plan, airy spaces and a large study.
In addition the center of the house is based around a rectangular mass housing the public functions; there are, living rooms, dining room and kitchen flanked by a koi pond and swimming pool.
Indeed there are also protruding steel structures on the second floor frame there are the private areas with playful steel bars drawing lines between the girders, while steel grates on the floor help to block out the sun on the storey.
Moreover an array of textures in a semi-open volume that connects to the exterior pools and gardens is added a series of stone and concrete walls and marble tile floors.

chandamey1 says:

August 26, 2014 at 2:22 am

Parity: Balancing of form and function by Kohler

According to reliable furniture shop in Phnom Penh
construction materials information, with a long history of good reputation in bathroomware designed and manufacturing, Kohler has once again presented a bathtub of great aesthetic and functionality called Parity.
Michael Wandschneider, marketing manager for bathing products mentioned that the meaning behind this product moniker is the connectivity of form and function.
“The Parity is a smooth, sensual bath that was inspired by nature and the human form,” he stated. “Both ends of the bath have a gentle, rolled edge that helps create a continuous symmetrical shape. When installed with an exposed deck, the raised rim takes on a more dramatic and decorative aspect.”
Equipped with Comfort Depth technology for a better bathing experience by a slotted overflow, the Parity also has a cast iron bath that comes in various shades and coated with layer of enamel for robustness with minimum thickness.

chamroeunmessi says:

September 8, 2014 at 2:09 am

The Beautiful and Modern Flooring

This is the beautiful and modern flooring has been designed by Ariana Ceramica, according to furniture shop in Cambodia
construction materials provided.
In addition this flooring solution reaches with the help of new technology or materials. One more thing this product has a fresh and modern textural feel inspired by the surfaces of the recent past.
Indeed the cover has been designed base on photographs and digital scans of plastered walls.
Moreover, this product is such the unique vitality of the manual plasterwork blends harmoniously with signs left by the passage of time.
Indeed this anesthetic, where the trowel marks, scratches and shade variations alternate unexpectedly with areas that the plaster has come away from the surface.

Related