Heritage Temples, Replicas, and Repetitions: Theorizing the Significance of Repeats as Resistance

Replicas of the Temple of Preah Vihear, rather than serving as peaceful symbols, have paradoxically intensified conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The study theorizes that these replicas, framed as 'repeats,' challenge traditional notions of a single 'original' temple, thereby disrupting dominant heritage discourses and power relations. Drawing on linguistic theories of repetition, the research argues that while such repeats could potentially foster peace-building by resisting oppressive discursive orders, their actual impact has been to exacerbate tensions in the border region.

Lilja, M., & Baaz, M. (2018). Heritage Temples, Replicas, and Repetitions: Theorizing the Significance of Repeats as Resistance. International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, 32(3), 323–336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10767-018-9296-8