Hidden and endangered manuscript collections connected to the Supreme Patriarch and the Royal Family of Laos (EAP1398)

Our project aims at the identification, digitisation, conservation and safe storage of important palm-leaf and leporello manuscripts from monastic collections of the royal monasteries in the area of the Buddhist city of Luang Prabang. These manuscripts were sponsored by the kings or members of the royal family, and by the Supreme Patriarchs of Laos. The manuscripts totalling up to 5,500 codological units and roughly 70,000 folios, after decades of neglect are in high danger to be dispersed or perish. Digitisation and conservation will be carried out by local professional staff that has been trained in previous manuscript conservation and digitisation projects, among them EAP 691.