The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) has just sent an official dispatch to the People's Committee of Phu Tho province proposing solutions to protect, preserve, renovate and restore relics and artifacts at Pho Quang Pagoda, Xuan Lung Commune, Lam Thao District, Phu Tho.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requested the People's Committee of Phu Tho province to assign functional agencies and local authorities to implement a number of urgent and long-term measures.
In the immediate future, it is necessary to promptly assess and conclude the cause of the fire to clarify responsibilities; strengthen the protection and preservation of other relics in the entire Phu Tho province.
Continue to assess, count and protect as much as possible the remaining structures and components of the monument.
For architectural construction and building covering, be careful not to stretch the canvas directly over the architecture because the structure is already very weak.
For the National Treasure of the Stone Buddhist Altar, immediately take measures to inventory the fallen and broken pieces of the altar; number, code and have solutions to safely preserve all these broken pieces.
In particular, it is necessary to clean up all the pieces of tiles and broken bricks that have fallen above the altar; make a hard frame to cover the entire altar (note that there is space for air circulation, avoiding the phenomenon of heat and humidity in the frame).
Do not move artifacts. For fallen artifacts, carefully reposition the artifacts in the worship statue system. Fabricate a steel mesh frame with a hard roof above to protect the artifacts, ensure ventilation for the artifacts, and avoid causing heat and humidity.
At the same time, it is necessary to promptly propose urgent measures, considering their suitability and synchronization with long-term preservation and restoration solutions in the future.
Regarding long-term measures for the National Treasure of the Stone Buddhist Altar and the system of artifacts, it is necessary to study and evaluate the material structure scientifically, carefully and thoroughly to propose solutions for preservation and restoration (consult and get opinions from experts with relevant expertise).
Along with that, propose solutions to restore and renovate relics to ensure compliance with the provisions of the law on cultural heritage, in accordance with the wishes of the people and local authorities.
Previously, Pho Quang Pagoda was severely damaged in a fire on October 23. Authorities determined that there were no human casualties, but property damage was estimated at VND25 billion.
According to experts, many items in the pagoda were severely damaged after the fire. The national treasure, the stone Buddhist altar, was covered in black smoke all over its surface; the lotus platform had two broken corners on the left (both the upper and lower lotus petals), and some places were cracked and split...
Xuan Lung Pagoda (also known as Pho Quang Pagoda) was ranked as a national monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in Decision No. 92-VHTT/QD dated July 10, 1980, including the following items: Tam Bao, ground plan in the shape of the letter "Cong" (I); bell tower (29m from Tam Bao); Ancestor's house.
The pagoda also preserves many valuable artifacts, including the stone Buddha altar recognized as a national treasure in 2021 (Decision No. 2198/QD-QD-TTg dated December 25, 2021 of the Prime Minister).
