US, Myanmar cooperate in cultural heritage conservation

The U.S. Embassy in Yangon and Myanmar Ministry of Culture have agreed to cooperate in cultural heritage conservation in Mandalay, central region of Myanmar, according to the press release of the embassy Saturday. U.S. Ambassador Derek Mitchell and Deputy Minister of Culture U Than Swe formally commenced the historic preservation partnership between the U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Culture at the Shwe Nan-Daw Monastery (Shwe Kyaung) in Mandalay on Friday. Over the next two years, U.S.-funded specialists will train local craftsmen and government experts in preservation techniques to preserve this culturally significant teak wood monastery in Mandalay, the release said. During the ceremony, Ambassador Mitchell said "We officially kick off an initiative that represents an important chapter in the relationship between our two countries, works to preserve a key piece of this country's cultural legacy and highlights the rich traditions of Myanmar." The project is supported through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) program that supports the preservation of cultural sites, cultural objects and forms of traditional cultural expression in more than 100 countries around the world. Shwe Nan Daw Monastery is one of the most beautiful and most visited monasteries in Myanmar erected by Myanmar craftsmen during the time of King Mingdon, who was the founder of the ancient city of Mandalay and its environs. Its teak wood craftsmanship is very significant and artistic and features actual Myanmar traditional style.