On 28 July 2023, H.E. Dr. CHEUNBORAN Chanborey, Cambodian Ambassador to Australia, represented the Royal Government of Cambodia in the Official Handover of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Padmapani with Attendants – three 9th-10th century Cham artifacts – at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA). The art works continues to be displayed on loan at the NGA for the next three years.
Representing the Australian Government at the event included the Hon. MP Susan Templeman, Special Envoy for the Arts and H.E. Ruth Stone, Assistant Secretary for the Vietnam and Mekong Strategy Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Around 50 members of the Cambodian community in Canberra also attended the ceremony.
It was the first time that the Australian Government return Cambodia cultural heritage to the home country. Moreover, experts are assessing other sculptures at the NGA, some of which might belong to Cambodia.
