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Ambassador John Ordway and Deputy Minister of Culture Todor Chobanov listen to an explanation of the restoration project by Iskra Historical Museum Director Kosyo Zarev.
Ambassador Ordway Opens Restored Tomb
Press Release
October 16, 2009
On October 16, the Chargé d’Affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Ambassador Ordway, joined the Deputy Minister of Culture Todor Chobanov, the Iskra Historical Museum Director Kosyo Zarev, and the Mayor of Kazanluk Stefan Damianov for a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the restored 4th century B.C. Tracian tomb of Kran II. This tomb was discovered in 1995 and is the earliest tomb with “colored belts” painted inside. This restoration was part of a program called the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Heritage Project where this project was selected among many that competed for these funds.
The U.S. Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation was established by the State Department in 2001 and provides small grants for heritage preservation projects to demonstrate the U.S. respect for other cultures. To date the fund has supported more than 500 projects worldwide, totaling $11.5 million. In 2008, 94 projects were proposed and 72 were accepted, including this project. Over $33,000 in support for this Thracian tomb project was provided by the fund.
When this tomb was discovered, the conservation team found it in very poor condition, especially with mold that threatened the plaster and paintings. The team contacted the U.S. Embassy in Sofia for support to restore this important tomb. The over $33,000 grant covered the restoration of the tomb, conservation and stabilization of the colored belts, and information materials about the importance of this valuable artifact of cultural heritage.
The U.S. Embassy is proud to be a part of this program to assist Bulgarian institutions to save valuable cultural heritage artifacts such as this Thracian tomb.
