Dechenphug : destin d'un monastère bhoutanais

Abstract

Conservation works on Dechenphug, a small monastery in Bhutan, were carried out from 1996 to 1999 under the scientific control of Unesco. From the beginning, a strong disagreement was obvious between the ethics of the international organisation and the current local practice. A compromise was eventually agreed, a proof that both approaches are not always irreconcilable. Field training of local actors was a an important component of the project, which included the reconstruction of an ancillary building, the restoration of woodwork and roofs on the other two buildings, and the conservation of a mural painting.