Palenque Image of community Music Practice (2001) by U.S. Embassy BagotaCultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Music is a universal language of humankind – something we all have in common. At the same time it demonstrates our vast and diverse creativity.
Baul Ethnic Group Musical Performance (2004) by U.S. Embassy DhakaCultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Music brings people and societies together. It builds mutual understanding.
Digitizing Kazakhstan Musical Heritage by U.S. Embassy AstanaCultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
The U.S. through its Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) has funded 65 projects across the world that have helped preserve humanity's musical heritage – from traditional songs to antique instruments and recordings. Hear some of the music that has been saved...
Afghanistan Musical Heritage (2001) by U.S. Embassy KabulCultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Afghanistan, 2001
In one of its first projects, over 20 years ago, AFCP supported the creation of six album-length recordings of Afghan musicians in Pakistani refugee camps. The recordings were broadcast by Voice of America and are archived at the U.S. Library of Congress.
Moldovan traditional music image (2006) by U.S. Embassy ChisinauCultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Moldova, 2006
During the Soviet period, authentic Moldovan musical traditions were neglected and replaced by state-sponsored music and dance. Fortunately, traditional performance styles, especially those associated with holidays and celebrations, survived in rural areas.
Traditional Moldovan Dancing by U.S. Embassy ChisinauCultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
This U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation project supported documentation of these traditional musical forms. The recordings produced through this project are now used for teaching purposes by the Moldovan Academy of Music, Theater, and Fine Arts.
By Lisa LarsenLIFE Photo Collection
Lebanon, 2008
Transmitted locally for centuries, traditional Lebanese wedding music is rarely performed outside small villages. Until recently, no significant recordings existed. This 2008 AFCP project collected, transcribed, and published field recordings of this unique musical tradition.
Paraguay, 2009
Agustin Barrios “Mangoré” (1885-1944) is one of Paraguay’s most beloved musicians. In 2009, the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation helped conserve his original works, interviews, and recordings, sharing them nationwide to celebrate the guitarist and composer's life.
Micronesia, 2011
Audio recordings of chants by the Yap People of Micronesia existed, but they were old, scattered and damaged. The U.S. Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation preserved and digitized the recordings.
The formal chants and dances transmit the stories of the culture and have been called the "writing" of the Yap people.
Documentation of indigenous African musical traditions (2017) by U.S. Embassy PretoriaCultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
South Africa, 2017
Preservation and study of indigenous musical traditions are priorities in post-apartheid South Africa. This AFCP project transcribed 53 South African traditional musical scores, creating an archive accessible to all South Africans interested in learning about their heritage.
Southern African Music Rights Organization
Our partners at the Southern African Music Rights Organization preserved music performed on indigenous instruments such as the uhadi, umakhweyana, xitende and mbila. The traditional music for weddings and funerals, and children’s songs, were in danger of becoming extinct.
Music Ambassadors
AFCP is managed by the Cultural Heritage Center, an office in the State Department's Bureau of Educational Affairs (ECA). For over 60 years, ECA has fostered mutual understanding by sending American musical artists on tours abroad and bringing foreign artists to the U.S.
Making Music Together
Continuing the tradition, in 2012 the bluegrass band Della Mae spent 43 days touring Central Asia as part of the American Music Abroad program. Here they are playing with traditional musicians in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Indonesia One Beat Instrument Festival (2017) by Pandu RahadianCultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Music Diplomacy Initiative
The U.S. Global Music Diplomacy Initiative is elevating music as a diplomatic tool to promote peace, democracy, economic equity, expanded access to education, and a diverse and vibrant creative economy.
Indonesia OneBeat: Jatiwangi Clay Instrument Festival (2017) by Pandu RahadianCultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
The Power of Music
The vast and diverse reservoir of musical traditions worldwide transcend social divisions and bring people together. Preserving endangered musical traditions for future generations is central to preserving cultural heritage worldwide.
