Burana Tower against snow covered mountains by jaturunpCyArk
Introducing Burana Tower
The Burana Tower is a large minaret in northern Kyrgyzstan.
Scenic view of the Burana tower in Kyrgyzstan by Jan Kypet Šmíd/Wirestock CreatorsCyArk
Built in the 11th century in the city of Balasagun, the tower’s top half was knocked off in an earthquake in the 1600’s. The ancient city of Balasagun was once a prominent stop along the Silk Road. Burana inspires legends and draws visitors from around the country.
U.S. Embassy and Local Partners Open Project to Conserve and Protect the 11th Century Burana Tower (2021) by U.S. Embassy BishkekCyArk
Protecting the Tower
In 2021 the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic supported a project to protect the tower against anthropogenic and seismic threats with funding from the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation program.
U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic and local partners at Burana Tower (2021) by U.S. Embassy BishkekCyArk
The project included expert restoration of the damaged roof of Burana Tower with waterproof material and protection of its walls against earthquakes through applied anti-seismic techniques.
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The project will also include workshops and master classes for the Ministry of Culture and Burana Tower Museum-Complex staff, curators, and restorers, and a digital media campaign to promote the Burana Tower’s significance as a cultural landmark.
Ablabek Tursunbekov in Front of Burana TowerCyArk
Sharing the Stories of Burana Tower
In 2022, StoryCenter brought local residents and English-language students together online through the U.S. Community Heritage Exchange Initiative. During six workshop sessions, participants told and recorded their stories and learned photography, videography, and editing.
Elmira Konokbaeva visits the Burana Tower MuseumCyArk
Towards the end of the course, the group of language students traveled to the tower to film the storytellers on site at Burana and assist them with audio recording and other production tasks.
Ablabek Tursunbekov in his youth at Burana TowerCyArk
Listen to the stories
The resulting videos are being circulated to inspire greater engagement with Kyrgyzstan's cultural heritage. Listen to the stories of four of the community members
Treasures of Burana
by Ablabek Tursunbekov
Lessons of Burana
by Elmira Konokbaeva
A Noise in the Dark
by Meder Almazbekov
Finding Kindness
by Adelina Tilenova
This project was made possible thanks to support and efforts from the following organizations: The U.S Department of State, The Public Union Center for Museum Initiatives, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Culture, and StoryCenter
