The Memorial for the Dead of World War I (1914-1918), a symbol of friendship and solidarity between Cambodia and France, will be inaugurated tomorrow under the presidency of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Located at the Léopold Sédar Senghor public park in Sangkat Sras Chak, Khan Daun Penh, in front of the Embassy of France in Phnom Penh, the Memorial, known in Khmer as “Roup Pi”, is dedicated to the Cambodians and French who sacrificed their lives during World War I and symbolises Cambodia-France friendship.
The 12.3-metre-tall historical monument features two soldiers – a Cambodian and a French. It was built in 1925, but later on destroyed during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979) with the idea that it symbolises slavery.
The reconstruction was broken ground on Jan. 25, 2023 in the presence of H.E. Chea Sophara, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction and H.E. Olivier Becht, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad.
Cambodia and France mark this year the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse