U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation

Since its creation by the U.S. Congress in 2001, the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) has provided financial support to more than 700 cultural preservation projects in more than 100 countries. This accomplishment represents a contribution of nearly $33 million towards the preservation of cultural heritage worldwide. More importantly, it shows the depth of our nation’s respect for the cultural heritage of other countries.  Funded projects include technical support for the restoration of historic buildings; assessment and conservation of museum collections; archaeological site preservation; documentation to save threatened traditional crafts; improved storage conditions for archives and manuscripts; recording oral history; and documentation of indigenous languages.  A total of thirteen projects have been funded in Laos over the past eleven years.

AFCP Projects in Laos:

2012: Restoration of Wat Xieng Thong

PHASE 2:

To support the continuation of work begun under a previous Ambassadors Fund grant to restore the 16th-century  Wat Xieng Thong monastery in the World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. The coronation temple of generations of Lao kings from the mid-16th century until the dissolution of the monarchy in the 1970s, Wat Xieng Thong requires immediate conservation attention to reverse the destructive effects of decades of neglect and increased visitation and use. The project involves the conservation of architectural surfaces of the main temple and the preservation of supporting structures within the complex. Award: 205,000.

2011: Restoration of Wat Xieng Thong

PHASE 1:

Located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers in the city of Luang Prabang, Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most important and best known temples in Laos.  It was built in 1560 and has served as the traditional coronation site for Lao kings, as well as the center of numerous annual festivals honoring the Buddha and various folk spirits. This project will enable the Luang Prabang Department of World Heritage to restore the roof and renovate the temple's many traditional murals and other decorative features. Award: $115,450.

2011: Documentation of Katu Cultural Traditions, TAEC

This project will allow the Traditional Arts and Enthnology Centre (TAEC) to document the cultural practices of the Katu ethnic minority group of southern Laos, to promote pride within Katu communities of their heritage, and to support appreciation and preservation of these cultural traditions for future generations. TAEC will display and disseminate research, photos and artifacts of the Katu in a travelling exhibition, which includes interpretive and educational information. Award: $38,360

2010: Conservation and Restoration of Artifacts at Wat Visoun

Constructed between 1512-1515, Wat Visoun is one of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang. It houses one of the largest Buddha icons in town and is a site of worship and festivities for the local Buddhist community. This project enabled Luang Prabang’s Department of Information and Culture to document, conserve, and restore artifacts, as well as improve displays and environmental conditions for the temple’s approximately 120 historic and sacred artifacts dating from the 16th century. Award: $25,000

2009: Preservation of Palm Leaf Manuscripts, National Library, Part II

This project allowed the National Library to expand palm leaf manuscript preservation training to two additional centers in Luang Prabang province and Vientiane municipality. As with the 2008 project, monks and laypeople at both centers received technical training on preservation methods and the use of the Tham script. Award: $10,000

2009: Preservation and Conservation of Lao National Museum Collection, Luang Prabang

Housed in the former royal palace, the Luang Prabang National Museum presents Laos’s finest collection of art and cultural artifacts. This project enabled staff to undertake an inventory of the museum’s artifacts, provided training in modern conservation techniques, and facilitated needed building repairs and the installation of a security camera system to help protect this valuable collection.  Award: $11,600

2008: Preservation of Palm Leaf Manuscripts, National Library

This project allowed the National Library to provide palm leaf manuscript preservation training at two centers in Savannakhet and Champassak provinces. Monks and laypeople at both centers received technical training on preservation methods and the use of the Tham script. These manuscripts represent one of the largest collections of cultural heritage in Southeast Asia. Award: $9,000

2008: Documentation of Rituals, TAEC

This project enabled the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) to research and document the religious and cultural traditions of the Lanten (Iu Mien) and Yao (Kim Mun) ethnic minority groups of northern Laos, and to promote appreciation and preservation of these cultures for future generations.  Award: $30,126

2007: Preservation of Lao National Museum Collection

The Lao National Museum in Vientiane is of great cultural and historical significance.  This grant supported the renovation of storage rooms; provided shelving and materials to protect artifacts awaiting conservation, inventory and display; provided equipment and facilities to properly analyze and clean artifacts; and supported the establishment of a documentation department to catalogue and inventory the collection. Museum staff also received training on the use of the new equipment and international inventory standards. Award: $ 26,821

2005: Ho Phra Keo Museum

Ho Phra Keo was built in 1565 and restored in 1936. Its design was inspired by Buddhist temples, although the building never functioned as such. The museum’s collection consists of Buddhist religious art and 7th to 19th century artifacts. This grant supported the inventory of the collection, the addition of interpretive panels for the displays, and the creation of an interactive digital catalogue. Award: $22,000

2004: Wat Sisaket Museum: Physical and Digital Conservation and Cultural Heritage Outreach

Vat Sisaket was built by King Chao Anouvong between 1819-1824 as a symbolic gesture of his independence from Bangkok. It was the only temple to survive the 1828-29 sacking of Vientiane by the Siamese. This grant supported on-site, hands-on conservation training workshops to restore the building’s murals and repair the masonry. Award: $16,000

2003: Creation of the Huaphan Menhirs Archeological Park

Building on 2001’s efforts to inventory, survey, map, archive and preserve the menhirs of Huaphan Province, this second year of funding supported additional preservation work, as well as the production of educational material, and interpretation signs and displays for the trails and the main road to the sites. Award: $12,400

2001: A Stonehenge in Laos: Mapping, Archiving, Exhibiting

This project focused on the 10th and 11th century standing stones or menhirs in Laos’ northern Huaphan region which were under threat from a road development project. Funds were used to inventory and survey the Ban Peun Menhir Site, assess the impact of road construction, and create a site management plan. Award: $10,000