Faux ‘Histoire’
Aug 15th, 2005 by Jinja
Faux ‘Histoire’
So what’s the scoop on “L’Histoire”, the Khmer Rouge themed restaurant?
We saw some strong reactions to the idea from Beth, Manur, and Maytel among others.
After discussing it with friends at lunchtime I had to see for myself. With a map (above) as my guide, I hopped on my motorbike and headed off.
A quick poll of motodops and tuk-tuk drivers outside Tuol Sleng found… nothing.
Perhaps all that ever existed was an advertisement. A hoax? A misprint? A stillborn business venture? I’ve passed on word to the Phnom Penh Post and Cambodia Daily, we’ll see if any more info eventuates.
And while it’s easy to get worked up about waiters dressed in black, there are crimes against taste and crimes against humanity.
There are plenty of *real* Khmer Rouge still alive. Just a few streets away from the Documentation Center of Cambodia‘s offices is a very luxurious villa owned by… Ieng Sary.
While the restaurant may not exist, the echoes of the past are with us on a daily basis.
There’s a line that sticks in my head (if I can remember correctly) from Helene Cixous‘ play regarding Cambodia, about ‘crimes that go beyond the human eye to become invisible‘.
Maybe we’ve acquired the habit of ignoring them, out of necessity, complicity, or ignorance.
related link: http://www.krtrial.org
Tags: cambodia khmer rouge
read through darlinglife.blogspot.com and see how corruption in cambodia is hurting people…pls help if you can!
At least that made me learn the word “to eventuate”.