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August 14, 2003
U.S.
AMBASSADOR DONATES MONEY TO RESTORE
STAVROPOLEOS CHURCH
Through
a special program of the U.S. Department of State entitled the
"Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation", the U.S.
Embassy in Bucharest will donate US $27,000 for restoration of
the Stavropoleos inner courtyard and abbey in Bucharest. The money
is to be allocated in two tranches, the first of US $10,000 and
the second of US $17,000.
Ambassador
Guest sought funding from Washington to carry out this project
after first visiting the historic church last year. The restoration
work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2003.
In
his remarks, Ambassador Guest stated that he hoped the Stavropoleos
work would lead to similar restorations in the Lipscani area.
"We hope that today's grant will be the beginning of a broader
economic renaissance for Lipscani-one that will be empowered by
completion of the restitution process and by the Mayor's project
to revamp the district's infrastructure."
Stavropoleos
Church, which is an Orthodox architectural jewel, was built in
1724, during the second reign of Nicolae Mavrocordat, by the Greek
Archimandrite Ioanichie Stavropoleanul. Over the years the church
was to suffer from earthquakes which destroyed the dome. The frescos
in the current dome date from the beginning of the 20th century.
The
church has a unique library, containing religious musical manuscripts
and other documents, as well as a prestigious exhibition containing
different artifacts saved from other Orthodox churches demolished
under the communist era-regime.
Through
the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation, the Department
of State is helping eligible countries around the globe preserve
historic sites and manuscripts, museum collections, and traditional
forms of music, dance, and language. The Fund shows a different
American face to other countries-one that is non-commercial, non-political,
and non-military. Through the Fund, the U.S. demonstrates its
respect for other cultures.
The
project manager for the work is Architect Sorin Diaconu from S.C.
Diaconu Constructions SRL.
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