A new book on Tajik culture and history has come to Tajikistan.

On February 14th 2012, the “Kitobi edgorihoi Tojikiston” (“Book of The Historical Monuments of Tajikistan”) was presented in Dushanbe by Tajik Culture Minister Mirzoshohruh Asrori and the head of the diplomatic mission of the United States to Tajikistan, Ambassador Ken Gross.

170 historical monuments, 250 pages, 500 copies, 3 languages; the book is a prime example of what cultural preservation via literature looks like. During the project, professionals from the Ministry of Culture, Academy of Sciences and the State National University came up with over 500 significant sites and monuments throughout all of Tajikistan, and of those, over 150 were chosen for publication.

The publication of this book was made possible by the US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, in Tajikistan.

The Embassy of the United States in Dushanbe, Tajikistan explains more about the Ambassador’s Fund project:

“The Ambassador’s Fund project supported a two-phase project to survey and compile a catalog of important historical sites of Tajikistan. The project started in September 2006 and was completed in December 2011. The United States Government contributed a total of $61,800 to the historical site survey and book publication.”

During the ceremony, US Ambassador Ken Gross said:

“Since 2001, the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation has financed cultural preservation in more than 130 countries around the world. This project, which catalogs Tajikistan’s many historical sites, celebrates and preserves Tajikistan’s rich history and culture.”

On the involvement of the US in Tajikistan, including on this particular project, Central Asian News informs:

“The book is published with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan. For the last 10 years the United States provided aid to Tajikistan in the amount of $ 400 thousand for the revival of the historical monuments of the Republic. Government of Tajikistan allocated more than 60 million Somoni ($ 12.63 million) for the purpose in the framework of the corresponding state program.”

Avesta.Tj also informs on the US financial involvement in Tajikistan, in terms of cultural revitalization:

“According to the source, for the last 10 years the United States has assisted Tajikistan in the rate of $ 400 thousand for the revival of ancient monuments.”

“The Government of Tajikistan, in the framework of state program allocated more than 60 million Somoni for these purposes.”

Though unique to Tajikistan, the nature of such a book is not new to the region. Uzbekistan has plenty of these types of books, including many about different cities in the country, some of which sell for a heavy sum of Soms (Uzbek currency). Regarding projects of cultural preservation, check out the Embassy of United States in Uzbekistan’s 2012 Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation.

Published in Tajik, Russian and English, this “Book of The Historical Monuments of Tajikistan” is what would seem to draw the attention of anyone interested in the country and the region – both inside and outside of Tajikistan.

Check out these beautiful photos of the “Kitobi edgorihoi Tojikiston” and its ceremony, which were very kindly provided to neweurasia by the Embassy of the United States in Dushanbe, Tajikistan: