A new social media craze is taking over as tourists are re-enacting the popular video game Temple Run in Angkor Wat. In this trend, people are recording themselves running, jumping, and dodging obstacles in the ancient temple, considered a UNESCO World Heritage site in Cambodia.
While the game features an explorer running while being chased by mythical creatures, the real-life version has raised concerns among experts. The trend may seem entertaining, however, conservationist Simon Warrack claims that people running around could severely damage the delicate structures.
Warrack, who has given 30 years in restoring the historical site in a conversation with Bloomberg said, “You wouldn’t run through St. Peters in Rome or any western church, so why is it okay to do it in Cambodia? It’s not just potential damage to the stones by people bumping into them and falling or knocking things over, but it’s also damage to the spiritual and cultural value of the temples. Angkor Wat is still deeply revered by the people. Every stone is considered to contain the spirits of the ancestors.”
Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the iconic temples have survived wars, earthquakes, and forests over the centuries. Despite the efforts of international conservators to preserve the site, tourism has been at an all-time high in recent years due to influencers and content creators. Many visit the site to recreate scenes from the Temple Run game.
Ginevra Boatto, the Cambodia country director for the World Monuments Fund, shares that it’s crucial to ensure visitors access the site safely and learn about its cultural importance. She adds that tourism needs to be managed carefully to avoid any harm.
Meanwhile, Hans Leisen, who has worked on conservation projects, calls the trend “nonsense.” He explained that running through the temple prevents visitors from appreciating the old carvings and can also damage the features.
Angkor Wat was first introduced to a global audience through the 2001 Hollywood film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. The movie was shot at the temple complex. Later, in 2011, Temple Run was developed by Imangi Studios, which further popularized the site in popular culture.
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