1. Background, current situations
The Kingdom of Bhutan, known as “the happiest country,” is particularly committed to the protection and continuance of its traditional culture, and has been identified traditional farmhouses scattered in beautiful rich nature as the essence of its cultural landscape. On the other hand, many old farmhouses are being demolished rapidly in the recent adverse social circumstance with reforming people’s consciousness, such as a demand for a modern living environment, anxiety about seismic resistance, and daily improvement life.
2. Objectives, activities
The Royal Government of Bhutan aims to enact a new Cultural Heritage Bill, which intends to protect historic buildings and the environment, including traditional farmhouses. Based on past achievements of cooperation projects between Bhutan and Japan and of experiences on heritage conservation of our country, Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) has supported the promotion of appropriate conservation and spontaneous/sustainable development of Bhutanese significant historic buildings in collaboration with the Department of Conservation of Historic Sites (DCHS), Ministry of Culture.
3. Examples of activities (e.g. symposiums, courses, and reports/publications, etc.)
In FY 2019, TOBUNKEN implemented 1) survey and training for the conservation of traditional farmhouses to DCHS technical staff members in Japan, 2) case studies for appropriate designation of traditional farmhouses as cultural heritage in Bhutan, 3) field research on appropriate restoration and adaptive use for designation candidate farmhouses in Bhutan, 4) participation to the workshop of conservation of Lham Pelzom house (a designation candidate) at DCHS.
PUBLICATION
VERNACULAR HOUSES in Bhutan, Central Western Area - Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Haa - published in March 2022
Understanding Our Heritage / Pema Visits A Rammed Earth House published in March 2022
BUDGET
Networking Core Centers for International Cooperation on Conservation of Cultural Heritage Project, entrusted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs
LINK
Department of Culture, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (Bhutan)