The U.S. Embassy announced this year’s recipients of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). Two grants were awarded to the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee and Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust to support important preservation projects in Nepal. According to a press release issued by Public Affairs Section of Embassy of The United States, through the AFCP, the U.S. Embassy will provide $77,142 to the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee for Conservation of the 17th to 19th Century Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Palace in Kathmandu District.

These funds will support urgent repair and maintenance work needed in the medieval era building inside the Hanumandhoka Durbar complex. The Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee is contributing an additional $149,352 for this project.

At a special ceremony at the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum on Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador Peter W. Bodde said, “Our newest conservation initiative in Kathmandu Durbar Square, and the ongoing restoration in Patan Durbar Square, helps to preserve some of South Asia’s most significant intact historic urban sites.” The second AFCP-funded project totaling $45,322 will support the conservation of the 17th Century South Taleju Temple of Patan Royal Palace in Lalitpur District. This project supports the restoration and seismic strengthening of the Taleju Temple inside the Patan Durbar complex.

Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust is contributing an additional $45,500 for this project. Established by U.S. Congress and administered by the Department of State, the AFCP has supported the preservation of cultural sites, cultural objects and forms of traditional cultural expression since 2001. Since its inception, the AFCP has demonstrated America’s respect for the cultural heritage of other countries by supporting over 800 projects in more than 120 countries. These contributions represent a commitment of more than $46 million towards cultural heritage preservation needs around the globe, including 17 projects totaling $1,950,964 in Nepal.