"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to
repeat it." Spanish philosopher George Santayana's words seem an apt
characterization of the Myanmar Department of Archaeology as it pushes forward
with questionable restoration work at Mrauk-U in Rakhine
State. Mrauk-U was the capital of the
Arakanese kingdom between the 15th to the 18th century, and boasts more 1,500
ancient pagodas.
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| Couloir-Koe-Thaung by Nils PERBET |
As reported by the Myanmar Times this week, the Mrauk-U
Heritage Trust has raised the alarm over the rebuilding of historic pagodas
without regard for the original design, abandoning any pretence of historical
authenticity. This follows on the heels of the reported destruction of part of
the heritage zone some years ago for the construction of a railway.
While some continue to hold Mrauk-U as a potential world
heritage site, the experience of Bagan does not offer much cause optimism. Impressive
by any measure and undoubtedly one of Myanmar's top tourist attractions,
Bagan's 1996 nomination as a world heritage was rejected by UNESCO, in part due
to the prevalence of inauthentic restorations.
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| Pagodas at Bagan |
We can only hope that the Rakhine State Government heeds the
Mrauk-U Heritage Trust's warnings.
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