Wat Prayoon is a winner

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has chosen the restoration of the main chedi at Wat Prayoon in Thonburi over 46 other such works around the region for its 2013 Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

The 187-year-old reliquary stupa known as the Phra Borommathat Maha Chedi was restored along with the adjacent Pharin Pariyattithammasala hall that now houses the Prayoon Bhandakharn Museum at the temple formally known as Wat Prayurawongsawas Worawihan.

In announcing the award last year, Unesco’s Bangkok office cited the “technical achievement” and “outstanding social impact” involved.

Unesco is now accepting nominations for 2014. They must be submitted by March 31.

The awards recognise the successful efforts of private sector and public-private initiatives in conserving or restoring structures, places and properties of heritage value. Emphasis is placed on the importance of the conservation process, including the technical achievements and quality of the restoration, as well as the social impact, such as community involvement.

Projects involving heritage properties more than 50 years old that were completed within the last 10 years are eligible for consideration in the conservation category. Houses, commercial and institutional buildings, historic towns and villages, archaeological heritage sites and cultural landscapes are all suitable, for example. The project must be the result of a private-sector initiative or a public-private partnership.

The winners will be announced in August and will receive Awards of Excellence, of Distinction or of Merit, Honourable Mentions or Jury Commendations for Innovation.

Jury Commendations for Innovation will also be considered for new structures of outstanding architectural design that integrates well into historical contexts. Building annexes, as well as new extensions, buildings, public spaces and structures, such as bridges, are eligible.

With support from the Sino-Ocean Charity Foundation, the programme will continue this year to expand and explore fresh issues related to exemplary heritage conservation practice.

Since the Awards were established in 2000, Unesco has received 556 entries from 24 countries. One hundred and sixty projects have received awards for high achievement in conservation, while eight have received jury commendations.

 

Get involved

_ You can submit nominations by March 31 at www.UnescoBkk.org/culture/heritageawards.

_ For more information contact the Culture Unit at Unesco Bangkok at (02) 391 0577, extension 509, or [email protected].