Honoring Khmer Heritage

As Ratha Sok, climbed the escalators in the Museum’s central atrium, he sensed an intensely familiar and comforting scent — Cambodian food. Next, he heard the voices of elders speaking Khmer echoing through the space. “Walking into the Museum, smelling Cambodian food, hearing the voices of elders — it truly was a game changer.” 

Ratha, a well-known local artist and first generation Cambodian-American, was at the Museum for an opening ceremony for our latest temporary exhibition, “Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia,” which explores the rise and fall of one of the world's most awe-inspiring civilizations. Featuring more than 100 intricate carvings, sacred sculptures and ancient relics, the exhibition immerses visitors in the grandeur of Angkor while showcasing how modern technology is shedding new light on its history. 

To open the exhibition, the Museum held two blessing ceremonies with the Cambodian community. The opening of “Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia” was a significant moment for Colorado’s Cambodian community. With only about 3,000 Cambodians in the state, opportunities to publicly celebrate their heritage are rare. This exhibition not only showcases the grandeur of Angkor’s civilization but also provides a meaningful space for cultural connection, education and understanding between the Museum and the Cambodian community.  

The success of the exhibition's opening ceremonies was largely due to the efforts of Tony Oum, a leader in the Cambodian American community and an active member of the Cambodian Buddhist of Colorado. Tony was instrumental in coordinating with the Museum, ensuring that the event reflected the traditions and values of Cambodia. His leadership helped unite community members, spiritual leaders and Museum staff to bring the opening to life through two separate blessing ceremonies held in the week before the exhibition opened to the public on Feb. 21, 2025. 

“For Cambodians, it is an opportunity to connect with our heritage, promote it to our children and grandchildren, and share it with the wider community,” said Tony. The ceremony was a deeply moving experience, with spiritual leaders, exhibit couriers and Museum staff coming together to honor the sacred traditions they represent.  

For many visitors, “Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia” is an introduction to the rich history and traditions of Cambodia. For the Cambodian community, it is a rare opportunity to see their heritage represented in such a prominent space. “I feel honored and privileged to be part of this. Seeing our culture on this platform is a blessing,” Tony said. 

The exhibition also served as a way to encourage tourism to Cambodia, offering insights into the grandeur of the ancient city of Angkor and the deep spiritual traditions that continue today. “We are thankful that the Denver Museum of Nature & Science gave us the opportunity to bring this exhibit here, to showcase who we are, our culture, and our history,” Tony added.  

The gathering of elders, families and community members for the blessing ceremonies created a space for intergenerational learning. Ratha attended the opening with their wife, mother and daughter. Watching his daughter engage with interactive elements in the exhibition — such as building a temple puzzle — reinforced for Ratha the importance of cultural education from a young age. “You’ve got to start them young. Introduce them to their culture as much as possible,” Ratha emphasized. 

Daniel Ville, Manager for Community Engagement at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, emphasized the Museum’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections through this exhibition.  

“This event was about people. [The blessing ceremonies] were about recognizing a community that has long been underrepresented and giving them space to share their stories. And for guests—Cambodian and non-Cambodian alike—it was a chance to learn, appreciate and connect with a culture that continues to thrive,” Ville added. 

As the exhibition continues, the Museum invites everyone to experience the legacy of Angkor, to listen to the stories shared and to celebrate the continuing beauty of Cambodian culture.  

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