Protecting the heritage objects
Sunday, 7 October 2007
About 200 objects from different museums in Bangladesh will be sent to France for display in an exhibition there. The news had earlier raised a concern, because of the fear over such objects being lost to Bangladesh. That was the reason why a move was made with the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme court for not allowing the sending of the exhibits for the show at Guimet Museum in Paris. The subsequent High Court order halting for some time the shipment of the exhibits has new been stayed by the Supreme Court. This has otherwise removed the roadblocks to holding of the first major international exhibition of Bangladeshi archaeological masterpieces.
However, one would like to note here that the pilferage of heritage symbols from Bangladesh are reported in the media from time to time. Thus, statues, plates, ornaments and artworks symbolic of the civilisation, culture and history of this land are sought to be smuggled out all the time. Strong enough law enforcement actions are needed against this crime. In many cases, heritage sites remain unprotected or in cared for and subjected to the activities of pilferers. A former curator of the national museum himself was charged with the smuggling out of heritage objects of great value from the country.
It is, therefore, extremely important to be cautious about sending abroad the archaeological pieces of the country for the purpose of holding an exhibition. One has to ensure that the originals -- not the replicas of the objects -- do ultimately come home. Thus, all concerned should take all possible actions to see that the objects that will now be sent abroad for participation in an exhibition in France will return in proper form and condition after the fair is over there.
Sirajul Islam
Road No. 6
Dhanmondi Residential Area, Dhaka
However, one would like to note here that the pilferage of heritage symbols from Bangladesh are reported in the media from time to time. Thus, statues, plates, ornaments and artworks symbolic of the civilisation, culture and history of this land are sought to be smuggled out all the time. Strong enough law enforcement actions are needed against this crime. In many cases, heritage sites remain unprotected or in cared for and subjected to the activities of pilferers. A former curator of the national museum himself was charged with the smuggling out of heritage objects of great value from the country.
It is, therefore, extremely important to be cautious about sending abroad the archaeological pieces of the country for the purpose of holding an exhibition. One has to ensure that the originals -- not the replicas of the objects -- do ultimately come home. Thus, all concerned should take all possible actions to see that the objects that will now be sent abroad for participation in an exhibition in France will return in proper form and condition after the fair is over there.
Sirajul Islam
Road No. 6
Dhanmondi Residential Area, Dhaka