Imperial heritage: relics, rituals and social memory in contemporary Hue, central Vietnam

In this IIAS Lunch Lecture Dr. Marina Marouda will talk about the reformulation of the royal past in contemporary Viet Nam. She examines the recent rejuvenation of ritual practices pertaining to former kings as enacted in contemporary Hue, the former imperial capital of Viet Nam.

Previously forming the core of the polity as divinised forefathers, the kings were brushed aside by the colonial powers, and later on pushed to the margins of the emerging socialist state which effected their public disremembering. The recent restoration of the former citadel performed by the synergy of the state and international institutions as a ‘world heritage site’ and a ‘national treasure’ has led to the re-instatement of past kings as extraordinary ancestors. Dr. Marouda will investigate the implications of the rejuvenated royal cult for the re-invention of the imperial past and the place this re-invention has in the country’s present and future. She will focus on the ritual practices and discourses of royal descendants taking place in officially recognized heritage sites such as the citadel, royal tombs and temples.

Every third Wednesday of the month one of the IIAS researchers will present his/her work-in-progress in an informal setting to their colleagues and other interested attendees, followed by a lunch provided by IIAS. These lunch lectures are organized to give the research community the opportunity to freely discuss ongoing research and to exchange thoughts.

Lunch is provided. Please register using the form below.