The Roles of the Locals - and the Possible Reconstruction of the Destroyed Buddha Statues in the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanisatan

A critical analysis of the Bamiyan Buddha statues' reconstruction reveals that meaningful local engagement is systematically neglected, despite widespread agreement on its importance. The study argues for a shift in understanding authenticity as a malleable and discursive concept, rather than an absolute standard, to guide reconstruction efforts. It also highlights the political and socio-economic dimensions of such projects, emphasizing the need for careful decision-making to avoid reinforcing competing historiographies. The research employs qualitative reasoning, drawing on classical examples of heritage reconstructions to propose innovative methods for sustainable local involvement.

Sørensen, M. L. S. (2020). The Roles of the Locals - and the Possible Reconstruction of the Destroyed Buddha Statues in the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanisatan. The Future of the Bamiyan Buddha Statues, 173–185. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51316-0_11