historique

  • Népal : les monuments sont au coeur de la vie de la cité

    Josiane continue de me transmettre des articles choisis sur les médias népalais. Dans le prolongement du précédent billet de blog, on aborde aujourd'hui en profondeur la notion de guthi qui ordonnance la vie quotidienne des Néwars, le groupe ethnique qui peuple en grande majorité la vallée de Katmandou. On comprendra mieux le pourquoi de la nécessité de reconstruire au plus vite les temples qui ne sont pas que des "ornements" ou des "monuments historiques à touristes".

    Bande2web

    Tangible and Intangible Heritages of Kathmandu
    Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:00 PM PDT on ecs.com.np

    By Shreeansh Agrawal

    Although the April 25th earthquake might have caused wide-spread damage to the tangible heritages of Nepal, the intangible heritages are still intact and thriving.

    Much has been said about the destruction of cultural heritage sites brought on by the 2015 earthquake. Preservation efforts are underway and various bodies have been involved in restoring damaged structures. This aspect of our heritage - the tangible, palpable part - has been paid ample attention to but the intangible sense of culture attached to it has been an elusive topic in public debates and discussions. It is casually addressed as being at risk due to the destruction of its physical counterpart, but what exactly intangible heritage is, especially in the context of Kathmandu Valley, and what it means to try and preserve it, is a conversation that has not been given the light it deserves.

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  • Népal : quid de la reconstruction des monuments ?

    Mon amie Josiane, avec laquelle j'ai usé mes fonds de culottes pendant trois ans à l'INALCO en cours de népali et qui se trouve actuellement à Katmandou hébergée dans une famille Néwar me transmet cet article. Je vous invite à en prendre connaissance si vous vous posez des questions sur la problématique de la reconstruction des monuments détruits par le séisme du 25 avril 2015. Vous apprendrez, si vous ne le saviez pas déjà, l'importance de ces temples dans la vie de quartier autour desquels s'organise la vie communautaire. Gérad Toffin, l'ethnologue français spécialiste de l'ethnie Néwar, a abondamment parlé de ces guthis. L'article de presse est rédigé en anglais mais vous pouvez le faire traduire en français par Google (même si le résultat ressemble à du "petit nègre" -quelle horrible expression !-, vous pourrez appréhender une grande partie de cette problématique.

    Bande2web

    A Monumental Rebuild
    Posted: 21 Sep 2015 05:00 PM PDT on ecs.com.np

    By Iona Liddell
    A few of the world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley were damaged by the Spring 2015 earthquakes and aftershocks, but a rebuild plan is in place, giving visitors and locals alike a unique opportunity over the next six years to see exactly how such wondrous buildings are made, whilst enjoying the living cultures that exist around these sites. Kathmandu Valley is reknowned for its cultural heritage, most famously rendered in its sacred sites - the Buddhist centres of Swyambhu and Boudha, the Hindu temple complexes of Pasupathinath and Changu Narayan, and the Durbar Squares of Patan, Bhaktapur and Hanuman Dhoka. In 1979 these seven groups of monuments were officially recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, meeting the criteria of demonstrating significant stages in human history, being a unique testimony to living cultural traditions and being directly associated with events, living traditions, ideas, beliefs and artistic and literary works. 
    In Spring 2015 earthquakes, these proud monuments and the communities around them suffered a reeling blow, but they are slowly bouncing back. Three months on, archaeologists, architects and artisans are taking stock. The rush to rescue pieces, create inventories of what was found and secure temples before the monsoon rains could wreak a second layer of damage. These experts have turned to planning the years ahead, in order to stabilize and rebuild the valley’s cultural heart. This throws up interesting issues, which will need to be grappled with and overcome, but all experts are unanimous in their support for visitors to come, enjoy watching the building process and perhaps even get more involved. 

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