A ceremony was held in Samarkand to mark the completion of the first phase of restoration of the famous Sherdor Madrasah. The entire restoration process is scheduled to be finished by 2028. The United States allocated $500,000 for the project.

“We are glad that you turned to America,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Sarah Rodgers at the official event. This is the largest grant provided by the fund for Uzbekistan.

During the first phase, part of the madrasah’s facade—the Kufic inscription—was restored. The main work concerns the portal of the madrasah.

“I am impressed by the restoration, and seeing it with my own eyes was certainly worth it. The traditional mixture used in assembling the mosaic is so skillful that it looks almost seamless. That Uzbekistan chose America for work so important to its national identity and history is wonderful,” Rodgers said.

U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Henick also attended the event. “America is pleased to stand alongside Uzbekistan in preserving Sherdor for the whole world,” the ambassador stated.

The deputy secretary noted that the Kufic inscription on the portal had become illegible. “We talk a lot about shared civilization and our deeply rooted values oriented toward the future. Americans brought best practices and standards, while Uzbek craftsmen contributed their knowledge,” Rodgers emphasized.

The delegation met with restorers and toured the Sherdor complex. Asked about the main news in bilateral relations, Rodgers replied: “We are pleased to observe Uzbekistan’s leadership in the C5+1 format. At the end of this week, we are hosting a meeting of culture ministers.”

The fund has financed projects for over 1,200 cultural heritage sites. The Sherdor Madrasah is a 17th-century Islamic educational and memorial structure on Samarkand’s Registan Square, forming an architectural ensemble with the Ulugh Beg and Tilla-Kari madrasahs. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.

Source: kun.uz