31/01/2019
On Friday 25 – Saturday 26 January 2019, The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage conducted a pan- Asia conference “Heritage Protection: The Asian Experience” at our premise with support from the Thai Ministry of Culture, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited. The event was opened with a welcome speech by Mrs. Pikulkeaw Krairiksh, The Siam Society President, followed by keynote speech by H.E. Mr. Vira Rojpojchanarat, Minister of Culture, Kingdom of Thailand.
Scholars and practitioners of cultural heritage protection from 12 Asian nations explored, discussed, and debated Asian understandings of cultural heritage and the Asian experience of cultural heritage protection in 4 aspects, namely: “Heritage is the Living Present of the Past”, “People Taking Ownership of Heritage”, “How to Put Law to Work on Behalf of Heritage Protection”, and “How Can Entrepreneurial Energies Complement Heritage Protection”. The event was attended by over 200 researchers, entrepreneurs, government officials, and students, both Thai and foreigners.
The panel discussions also included: what heritage is in Asian perspective?, who defines, who is responsible for heritage?, what are main obstacles to successful heritage protection?, what works and what does not?, what lessons can be drawn (from and for Asian context)? And a lot more questions remain: how to empower communities in Asia? Socio-cultural conditioning against criticizing, conflict, opposing authority and expertise, how to meld both top-down and bottom-up approaches?, how to foster accountable leadership with integrity?, how to escape the “authentic” trap – a sentimental, paternalistic, rigid version of history, identity, heritage?, how to reflect diverse narratives, histories, values in heritage values?, how to manage the tension between economic/market demands and cultural/artistic integrity? How to manage urban rapid change in which heritage exists and is practiced…?, how to carry the values into the future? How to create contemporary applications for cultural heritage?
You will find some answers to the questions above in our publication that will be published with the papers and results of this conference later in 2019. Those who have an interest can pre-order it with Khun Jarunee at [email protected]. The conference program is available at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DFUk3J-XEQnosadzOqRXgic47iEoc9_M/view?usp=sharing
The Siam Society would like to thank Thai Ministry of Culture, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited for kind support. Thanks to all speakers, moderators for contribution, thanks to participants for interest in our events. Last but not least, we would like to thank Mr. Thweep Rittinaphakorn, member of the Siam Society, who kindly served as volunteer Master of Ceremonies and Dr. Rasita Sin-ek-iem, Independent Scholar Adjunct Lecturer at Thammasat University, who kindly guided tours at Kamthieng House Museum during two day conference.