Within moments of meeting Mr. Dy Proeung, I knew that I was in the presence of an amazing human being. I’m mesmerized by his story, his incredible achievements, his gentle and peaceful demeanour, and his unshakeable determination, optimism and courage - especially considering that he witnessed and lived through the darkest years of Cambodia’s horrific past.      

 

Swaying calmly on a hammock perched between two majestic trees shielding him from the scorching sun, he leaps forward, buttons up his crisp white shirt, and welcomes me enthusiastically with a giant smile as I walk through the main gate of his property…into a magical world, unlike anything I’d ever seen before.  

 

I came unannounced. “Hello! Welcome, welcome!” he says, doing what I believe he does on most days - namely, waiting to share his life story with anyone who cares to visit, and listen. 

 

Not far from the main road that leads millions of tourists annually to one of the world’s most visited, and historically and culturally important, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Mr. Proeung has recreated temples from the Angkor Archeological Park - is his courtyard. They’re perfect miniature replicas of Angkor Wat, Bayon and Bantey Srey, with each meter of the originals scaled down to two centimetres. 

 

To say that I am impressed by what I saw, would be a grave understatement. But more importantly, that none of this (Mr. Proeung’s contributions to the architectural understanding of some of the world’s most revered landmarks, which he achieved through his lifelong commitment and dedication to his studies, research, and work) would be available to the world today had he not hidden what he is most proud of -  by deceiving a brutal regime and burying all references to his academic credentials and books of drawings - in the ground.  

 

“Very dangerous, very dangerous Pol Pot. If Pol Pot [knew about] my diploma and my drawings, mort (“dead” in French)” he says.

 

1975 marked the start of the Cambodian Genocide, which throughout four-years of horror claimed the lives of up to three million people. Mr. Proeung lived in Phnom Penh when Khmer Rouge soldiers marched into the capital, especially targeting the country’s academics and artists.     

 

“All very dangerous” Mr. Proeung repeats, while leaning his head forward and gesturing a chopping motion to the back of his neck. 

 

The Khmer Rouge murdered about 90 percent of Cambodia’s intellectuals between 1975 and 1979. Mr. Proeung was a graduate from the architectural program at the Royal University of Fine Arts by that time, with a well-documented body of research and work which he produced by hand in his “Book of Drawings.” 

 

In a desperate attempt to survive, Mr. Proeung managed to convince Pol Pot that he was an uneducated cattle farmer. Combined with the burial of his documented achievements, he survived and spent four years working in a Khmer Rouge labour camp.  

  

He lived to see this day, and those that granted him the recognition that he so very much deserves. 

 

In the early 1990s, during the UNTAC period (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia), Mr. Proeung was introduced to King Sihanouk by a UK soldier. This led to a lasting relationship, the recognition of Proeung’s lifelong achievements and work, and a personal personal request from the King himself that he document and share his story with Cambodia’s young and future generations. 

 

“No models, no computers…everything I did by hand, by hand” he says, “computer, computer” he adds while pointing up to the side of his head followed by a modest chuckle.

 

Mr. Proeung is very well aware that he’s beaten many odds, including the most unthinkable one, and those that allow someone like myself to look at this incredible man of talent, skill, passion, and courage while acknowledging that I am in fact speaking to, and in the presence of - a living legend.      

 

Above is a brief introduction to Mr. Proeung. More to come…

 

Thank you for taking a moment to meet Mr. Proeung!