Embassy News

U.S. Government Announces Winners of the 2008 Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation Program

PAS No 221
October 16, 2007

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Sylvia Curran presents the winners with congratulatory letters

Ashgabat, October 16, 2008 – Yesterday, the U.S. Embassy held an award ceremony to honor the winners of the 2008 Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation grants at the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy.  This year, two grantees will receive funding from the United States:

1. Turkmenistan Institute of History under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan for research, restoration and conservation of the Ismamyt – Ata Mausoleum of the 11th and 12th Centuries in Dashoguz Province.  ($42,500.00)
2. The National Administration for Preservation and Restoration of Historical Monuments of Turkmenistan for conservation of the 9th and 10th Century Shir-Kebir (Mashad Ata) Mosque in Ancient Dehistan by ($33,100.00)

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Sylvia Curran gave her opening remarks and presented the winners with congratulatory letters.  The grantees briefly described their projects.  Representatives from Turkmenistan’s Government, involved in administering programs related to the cultural and historical heritage of Turkmenistan and Turkmen state media representatives participated in the ceremony.

Established by Congress in 2001, the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation aims to assist countries in preserving their cultural heritage.  Over the past six years, the U.S. Government has invested over $100,000 to preserve historically important cultural sites and objects in Turkmenistan.

More information about the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation projects can be found at the U.S. Embassy web site, http://turkmenistan.usembassy.gov