Book Launch: Stories in Stone

The Ancient Temple in the Refugee CampA talk by author John Burgess, former Washington Post correspondent

 

 

8pm Weds, August 11, 2010

Free

 

In 1979, hundreds of thousands of Cambodians crossed into Thailand seeking food and safety after the fall of the Khmer Rouge. Many of them set up camp by a spectacular piece of antiquity: the 11th Century Khmer temple Sdok Kok Thom. A symbol of the glories of Angkor, the ruined temple became a rallying point for Khmer Serei fighters. And it had another modern role as preserver of history—it was here that archaeologists recovered the most important written record that the Angkor civilization left behind, a 340-line inscription that unlocks the first two-and-a-half centuries of the empire’s existence.

John Burgess covered the Cambodian exodus for The Washington Post and first saw the temple in those days. Now he has published a book about the temple and inscription, “Stories in Stone.” Come and hear Burgess speak about the refugee crisis and his work years later to recount the creation, loss and ultimate decoding of the temple’s great historical chronicle.

A copy of book will be available for sale at the launch, at a special price 500 baht/copy.

* This program is a paid event. Responsibility for program content is solely that of the event organizer.

---

---