The architecture of apathy

Nepal's heritage sites frequently make headlines only after they are damaged or destroyed, sparking a recurring question: why does the nation only seem to value its history when it is lost?

The article contends that Nepal's response to heritage loss is often a brief period of mourning followed by promises to rebuild, a pattern attributed to bureaucratic inertia, political short-termism, or a cultural tendency to postpone difficult decisions. This approach reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of preservation, equating it solely with physical construction and repair.

True heritage, the piece argues, is more than just buildings; it includes memory, language, ritual, craftsmanship, belief, and the communities that sustain traditions. Restoring a monument without preserving the living culture around it is merely beautification, not genuine conservation.

The National Library of Nepal serves as a case in point. Since the 2015 earthquake made its main building unusable, the library has operated from temporary quarters for over a decade, despite land being allocated for a new facility. The lack of public concern over a non-functioning national library suggests a societal acceptance of digital access as a substitute for physical institutions.

The article also delves into the definition of heritage itself, noting that while the law defines it as structures over a century old, the conversation remains unsettled. It challenges the notion that European-style architecture from the Rana-Shah period is not Nepali heritage, asserting that any structure over a century old is part of the historical inheritance. It emphasizes that these buildings, shaped by unnamed Nepali artisans, are monuments to their craftsmanship, regardless of the regime that commissioned them.