Embassy of the United States

In 2001, the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan received $30,000 to restore the 14-meter (43-foot) "Buddha in Nirvana" statue - the largest in Central Asia following the Taliban's destruction of the statues at Bamiyan in early 2001.  In 2002, the The Aga Khan Humanities Program received a grant for $16,000 to restore two oral archives – one of Tajik oral traditions and one of Tajik music – and to train young Tajiks in new methods of oral research.  In 2003, the Central Scientific Library of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan received $25,592 to preserve the books of national and world heritage and to make them accessible to the larger public. In 2004, the Sarazm Archeological Museum in Penjikent received $19,147 to preserve and extend the life of the Sarazm settlement collection by creating adequate storage facilities for the artifacts and renovation of the Museum display areas.  During 2005 and 2006 the Program funded two two-phase projects in the total amount of $119,112: the first project aims at creation of a database of historical and cultural sites in Tajikistan and implemented by the Tajik Ministry of Culture; the second one - by the Tajik State Scientific-Research Company on Preservation, Restoration and Use of Cultural and Historical Sites (TajikGUOP) - is on protection and renovation of the Khoja Mashad Madrassa and Mausoleum in Shahrituz District of Tajikistan (on the photo to the left).  This is a three phase project in the total amount of $106,000.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administers the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation.  The Bureau, through its cultural preservation activities, promotes cooperation with other countries to reduce the threat of pillage of irreplaceable cultural heritage, and to develop long-term strategies for preserving cultural property.

Proposal solicitation is closed for 2009.  Please check this page later in the year for more information on future solicitations.