A monumental occasion
Siam Society is holding an international Festschrift seminar titled “Monument Conservation in Asia” in honour of conservation architect Pierre Pichard on Thursday at 7pm.
Since his first contribution in restoring the temple of Prasart Hin Phimai in Thailand, 50 years ago, the French architect has continuously played a critical role in the conservation of monuments in Asia.
Now director of research at the French School of Asian Studies (EFEO), Pichard is a renowned conservation expert regularly called on to consult for Unesco and other international organisations in Asia, from India to Bhutan, Vietnam to Cambodia and Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.
The seminar will celebrate his 80th birthday and his retirement in France after such a long and productive stay in Asia. It will open with a valedictory speech by Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat, followed by a lecture on topics of interest.
Etienne Clement, former director of Unesco Apia, will touch on “Southeast Asian Monuments on the World Heritage List: Global Significance and Conservation Challenges”, and conservation architect and chief archaeologist Patrizia Zolese from the Lerici Foundation will talk about “Conservation and Cultural Integrity: The Cases of Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar”.
After the “Introduction and Evolution of Anastylosis in Thailand,” presented by Dr Pornthum Thumwimol, a landscape architect from the Fine Arts Department of Thailand, there will be a panel discussion with the speakers. Pichard himself will also attend and deliver the closing remarks.