Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Bhutan gets new antiquities law

http://www.kuenselonline.com/article.php?sid=6310

I had to look up some of the terms; "dzongs" are Buddhist fortresses. "lhakhangs" are Buddhist temples.

"Chapter two of the Act asserts that all Kusung Thukten and properties of the dzongs and lhakhangs, be it new or old, will be listed and registered jointly by the representatives of the Zhung Dratshang...."

"Except for valuable properties, tensum, ritual objects and old handicrafts can be sold and taken abroad with a written permit and the object sealed by the department of culture."

"The chief of the cultural properties division of department of culture ... said ... the purpose was to retain the antique pieces within the country. 'People have the misconception that this is harassment, but it is not so'"

No comments: