CHANDIGARH: The French government’s ministry of culture and experts from Foundation Le Corbusier, Paris, will help the UT administration in conservation and restoration of heritage items by providing a methodology to trace replicas and original items in a list of suggestions to be handed over for implementation.
The development comes following an online meeting between the experts and UT officers a few days back. The UT shared its concerns, like regular auction of heritage items in foreign countries, but the major worry was distinguishing a fake items from original ones.
“The French government deals in heritage items and has the methodology to identify original items and their replicas. We want to know the exact process and other related expertise in this regard. This is the crucial component for us, where legal and other aspects are involved. All these issues were discussed,” said sources. “In France, there is an art purchase committee that ensures the protection of heritage items in a legal manner. We are hopeful of getting significant help from it,” sources added.
Earlier, the French team was scheduled to come to Chandigarh last year to discuss protection of heritage items, but Covid-19 pandemic derailed the visit. Now, just a few days back, an online meeting was held.