A hall at Museum of Economy and Money (SOSORO). Supplied
The National Bank of Cambodia’s (NBC) Preah Srey Icanavarman Museum, commonly known as the Museum of Economy and Money (SOSORO), will inaugurate three newly renovated halls on February 24.
They will host three permanent exhibits, dedicated to the Kingdom’s Independence, the Khmer Republic, and the Khmer Rouge regime, each a significant part of Cambodian history.
The exhibits have been enhanced to offer visitors a more enriching historical understanding.
“The museum undertook the renovations to allocate more space to the independence era, which celebrates the achievements of His Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk,” explained a SOSORO press release.
His accomplishments include securing Independence, establishing the Kingdom’s national bank and introducing the riel, the national currency.
The release added that improvements in visitor flow have been made, as well as the inclusion of additional photographs about the Khmer Republic led by Marshall Lon Nol, and more comprehensive information on the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot.
The inauguration will be attended by several notables including Prince Norodom Chakrapong, a member of the Supreme Privy Council to the King, NBC honorary governor Chea Chanto, NBC governor Chea Serey, as well as government officials, diplomats and guests from the educational, cultural and banking sectors.
According to the release, the renovations will allow the museum to offer both local and international visitors a profound glimpse into the Kingdom’s past, its challenges and its triumphs.
The SOSORO Museum aims to provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the country’s economic development, trade patterns, and financial systems over the centuries, from the pre-Angkorian period through to the contemporary era.
The new halls offer a blend of historical artefacts, multimedia presentations and interactive exhibits, including ancient currencies, trade goods and antiques that illustrate the economic activities that have taken place in the region.
As part of its role in preserving and interpreting the nation’s past, the museum is an invaluable resource for researchers, students and anyone interested in the economic history of Southeast Asia.
The latest temporary exhibition at the museum, titled “The Journey of King Sisowath in France in 1906: A Mutual Revelation”, offers a deep dive into the king’s historic visit to France and its impact on Cambodian-French cultural exchanges.
