The Magic of the Burana Tower, Kyrgyz Republic

The Burana Tower is a large minaret in northern Kyrgyzstan. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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