Program and Event

U.S. Embassy Grants $9,000 to National Library for Palm Leaf Manuscript Preservation

Library preservation experts show Ambassador and Mrs. Huso how to prepare the palm leaf manuscripts

Ambassador Ravic Huso and Library Director. Kongdeuane Nettavong sign the AFCP grant

On September 18, 2008, U.S. Ambassador Ravic Huso signed a grant for $9,000 for the National Library as part of ongoing U.S. efforts to assist Laos in preserving and protecting its rich cultural heritage. This project will allow the National Library to expand the palm leaf manuscript preservation training to two centers in Savannakhet and Champassak provinces. 

The funds for this project have come from the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, established by the U.S. Congress in 2001 to support heritage preservation in countries around the world. Through this fund, the U.S. government is currently helping 57 nations preserve historic sites and manuscripts, museum collections, and traditional forms of music, dance and language.

The palm leaf manuscript preservation project will be the seventh Ambassador’s Fund project in Laos.