The ceremony of awarding the winner of the annual programme of the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) took place in the Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan. Of numerous tender applications from various institutions of culture, the special commission awarded the grant to the project on conservation and restoration of the monument of architecture of the early XIII century - the Mosque of Khorezm-Shah Muhammed II located on the territory of the Ancient Dehistan State Historical and Cultural Reserve in Balkan Velayat. The project was brought forward by the National Department of Turkmenistan on preservation, study and restoration of the monuments of history and culture.
According to the Project Manager, architect Derkar Dovletov the main goal of the project is to restore the most damaged parts of the unique monument. This is the only partially preserved object of this type in Central Asia. Before the archeological excavations have started, there were only two poles left on the surface. They belonged to the high portal, which were connected by the arch-shaped roof that can be seen on the only remained picture of that time. The damages and losses incurred within 800 years affected the monument – the upper parts of the both poles and its beautiful decorations are almost collapsed.
The restorers will have to restore the arch-shaped roof above the main entrance to the central hall of the mosque and conserve the ornamental and epigraphic covering of the poles, which are of particular historical and artistic value. The special working group that includes experienced architects, restorers and specialists of the Ancient Dehistan State Historical and Cultural Reserve will first execute field surveys, study archive materials and then will draft the working plan on the restoration of the monument. Once the methodological council of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan approves the document, architects, restorers and construction workers will start the project implementation. Medieval bricks applicable for the secondary use as well as new bricks will be used during the restoration. Thus, the project will allow preserving this architectural monument and will provide the local specialists with an opportunity to get experience useful for implementation of restoration projects in Balkan Velayat in the future.
Removal of the threat of the pole collapse and unavoidable loss of the valuable elements of the architectural design will also provide the secure visit to the monument and will make it available for the further scientific study. Moreover, it is planned to establish a virtual 3D-format reconstruction of the original exterior of the mosque, which was built on the eve of the Mongol invasion. The results of the project will be presented in scientific publications and mass media and the experience of the project implementation will, undoubtedly, enrich the world practice of restoration and conservation of the medieval monumental architecture.
“This is one of 25 projects selected in 2016 all around the world”, said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States in Turkmenistan Allan Mustard speaking during the ceremony. “The victory of Turkmen specialists testifies to the importance of their work and there are no doubts that they will honourably fulfil the undertaken obligations”. The U.S. Ambassador also noted that within the last 15 years, the Fund supported 24 projects in our country.
The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) established by the U.S. Department of State at the request of the U.S. Congress supports foreign projects on preservation of cultural objects, restoration of historical buildings, museum collections, ancient manuscripts and rare printed sources as well as documentation of traditional forms of music, dancing and language.
According to the Project Manager, architect Derkar Dovletov the main goal of the project is to restore the most damaged parts of the unique monument. This is the only partially preserved object of this type in Central Asia. Before the archeological excavations have started, there were only two poles left on the surface. They belonged to the high portal, which were connected by the arch-shaped roof that can be seen on the only remained picture of that time. The damages and losses incurred within 800 years affected the monument – the upper parts of the both poles and its beautiful decorations are almost collapsed.
The restorers will have to restore the arch-shaped roof above the main entrance to the central hall of the mosque and conserve the ornamental and epigraphic covering of the poles, which are of particular historical and artistic value. The special working group that includes experienced architects, restorers and specialists of the Ancient Dehistan State Historical and Cultural Reserve will first execute field surveys, study archive materials and then will draft the working plan on the restoration of the monument. Once the methodological council of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan approves the document, architects, restorers and construction workers will start the project implementation. Medieval bricks applicable for the secondary use as well as new bricks will be used during the restoration. Thus, the project will allow preserving this architectural monument and will provide the local specialists with an opportunity to get experience useful for implementation of restoration projects in Balkan Velayat in the future.
Removal of the threat of the pole collapse and unavoidable loss of the valuable elements of the architectural design will also provide the secure visit to the monument and will make it available for the further scientific study. Moreover, it is planned to establish a virtual 3D-format reconstruction of the original exterior of the mosque, which was built on the eve of the Mongol invasion. The results of the project will be presented in scientific publications and mass media and the experience of the project implementation will, undoubtedly, enrich the world practice of restoration and conservation of the medieval monumental architecture.
“This is one of 25 projects selected in 2016 all around the world”, said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States in Turkmenistan Allan Mustard speaking during the ceremony. “The victory of Turkmen specialists testifies to the importance of their work and there are no doubts that they will honourably fulfil the undertaken obligations”. The U.S. Ambassador also noted that within the last 15 years, the Fund supported 24 projects in our country.
The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) established by the U.S. Department of State at the request of the U.S. Congress supports foreign projects on preservation of cultural objects, restoration of historical buildings, museum collections, ancient manuscripts and rare printed sources as well as documentation of traditional forms of music, dancing and language.
