Aga Khan Trust for Culture
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AKTC is engaged in a town TAJIKISTAN planning initiative in Khorog with a view towards sustainable development of communities in the city and heritage preservation. Partners Khorog Town Planning Initiative for new housing, alleviate traffic problems and establish preventive Act Central Asia AKTC is also sponsoring a town measures to better respond to Ministry of Culture, Republic of Tajikistan planning initiative in Khorog with the aim Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife natural disasters; and Cultural Heritage of facilitating sustainable community Smithsonian Folkways Recordings development and heritage preservation. • Facilitate efficient land use, especially The Silk Road Project, Inc. To this effect, in collaboration with University of Central Asia where land is in limited supply; representatives from the government and WOMEX (World Music Expo) World Music Institute business, tourism and community groups, Zamzama Productions AKTC has developed a comprehensive • Create a complete urban master plan for the town of Khorog. environment, with a range of housing Aga Khan Trust for Culture forms, business spaces and cultural The aim of the initiative is to equip the venues which respond to the diverse For further information town for the social, economic, cultural, needs of the community; For centuries, Central Asia has been Aga Khan Music Initiative nurtures collaborations among musicians home to a mix of diverse cultures, from different parts of Central Eurasia Aga Khan Development Network, demographic and administrative in Central Asia Switzerland transformations that will accompany • Reinvigorate the town centre and societies and traditions. The Soviet and beyond, and helps talented 1-3 Avenue de la Paix its future development, such as the relocate housing growth away from era witnessed great leaps in education The Aga Khan Music Initiative (AKMI) artists reformulate traditional music in 1202 Geneva, Switzerland growth of international tourism, the peripheral areas in order to produce in the region and the emergence of a was created to support the efforts of contemporary languages of art. Tel: +41 22 909 7200 a stronger community focus, reliant talented musicians and music educators Fax: +41 22 909 7292 establishment of a new campus for literate society immersed in the rich Email: [email protected] the University of Central Asia, as upon pedestrian movement, efficient fabric of the period’s literature, arts to sustain, further develop and transmit Tradition-Bearers Programme well as increased relationships with and affordable utilities and an and culture. musical traditions that are a vital part of Aga Khan Development Network, Tajikistan environment conducive to tourism their cultural heritage. 8-10 Gani Abdullo Street neighbouring countries, especially The Music Initiative supports master- and university activities; 734003 Dushanbe Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and China. Since their independence from the musicians, or ustâds, who have Tajikistan The Music Initiative was launched in demonstrated a commitment to the Tel: +992 37 2246500/2246508 Soviet Union, Central Asian states • Focus growth on safe sites to reduce response to the critical need in post- survival of their national heritage by Fax: +992 37 2510066 Specifically, the master plan provides have begun the process of reviving the Soviet Central Asia, which included a lack Website: www.akdn.org a framework for the following the natural hazard risks and divert rich culture heritages which were often taking on teaching positions in music of resources and knowledge to develop improvements in Khorog town: growth from unsafe areas; overlooked during the Soviet era. The centres, schools and other networks the artistic traditions that validate and Aga Khan Trust of Culture (AKTC) seeks encouraging collegiality, creativity and sustain the local identities and cultural • Upgrade sewer and water services, • Promote green design to increase energy to support these efforts of the peoples of communication. heritage of the region. provide greater access to utilities efficiency in housing and infrastructure. Central Asia. The Academy of Maqâm in Among its activities, the Music Initiative Dushanbe, one of the centres Through its programmes in Tajikistan, identifies and supports outstanding supported by AKMI, offers AKTC is helping to preserve, develop musical talent, cultivates new approaches comprehensive training to highly and promote local musical traditions, to musical performance and pedagogy, qualified students in historical, rehabilitate communal spaces, and The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of private development agencies working to empower communities and individuals, often in documents and disseminates the work theoretical and practical elements facilitate effective urban planning. disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in Africa and Asia. Its agencies work in over 30 countries for the common of leading musical tradition-bearers, of the classical Tajik-Uzbek music good of all citizens, regardless of their gender, origin or religion. Its underlying impulse is the ethic of compassion for the vulnerable in society. © AKDN, January 2012. Information contained in this brief can be reproduced with acknowledgement to AKDN. Photo credits: AKTC/Sebastian Schutyser, Christian Richters AGA KHAN DEVELOPMENT NETWORK www.akdn.org Performance and Outreach governments, civil society organisations, “From Afghanistan to Zanzibar, from The Music Initiative is currently Programme its own network of music schools, as well India to Mali, the [Aga Khan Trust producing a 10-volume CD and as with other agencies of the Aga Khan for Culture’s] support to historic DVD anthology of Central Asian AKMI’s Performance and Outreach Development Network in order to create communities demonstrates how musical traditions, in collaboration Programme presents Central Asian an active and self-sustaining concert conservation and revitalisation with the Smithsonian Institution. musical traditions to audiences touring mechanism. worldwide, helping to build relationships of the cultural heritage—in many Volume 2 portrays the classical between musicians from Central cases the only asset at the disposal music of Tajiks and Uzbeks, in Khorog Park Asia and a global network of music- of the community—can provide a which vocalists set mystical, Sufi- presenting institutions. It seeks Through its Historic Cities springboard for social development. inspired verses to lyrical melodies. to stimulate interest and increase Programme, AKTC has rehabilitated We have also seen how such knowledge of Central Asian cultures the city park of Khorog, the projects can have a positive impact around the world. administrative and economic capital of the mountainous Gorno- well beyond conservation, promoting To date, more than 3,000 students of Shashmaqâm. The Academy’s have found the opportunity to teach AKMI uses its curatorial expertise to Badakhshan region in Tajikistan. good governance, the growth of and master musicians have benefited key objective is to revitalise the young people to be an economically as select outstanding performers, develop civil society, a rise in incomes and innovative concert productions and The Park was presented as a gift from the from the Aga Khan Music Initiative core repertoire of Tajik classical well as socially beneficial endeavour. economic opportunities, greater music (Shashmaqâm) as an active organise worldwide concert tours city to His Highness the Aga Khan on the respect for human rights and better Tradition-Bearers Programme including educational outreach activities occasion of the fortieth anniversary of performance tradition by training a new Additionally, several students from stewardship of the environment. through its support of ustâd-shâgird generation of accomplished musical among the group of graduates of the and workshops. his Imamat in 1997. It is situated in the (master-apprentice) centres and performers and publishing new critical Academy of Maqâm have assumed city centre of Khorog, along the banks teacher training seminars. editions as part of a complete repertoire. leadership roles in the rising generation Through the activities of the Music of the Gunt River that flows through We have also seen how the of Tajik musicians. Among their Initiative, local musicians have gained the town. The Park is protected from preservation and promotion of other prestige in their home communities, the river waters by stone dykes, one These activities encompass rigorous Since 2007, 20 graduate students have activities, they are involved in training forms of heritage, such as traditional completed an intensive, four-year course groups of future musical leaders, secured their economic well-being of which also serves as a picturesque training for a new generation of elite music, play an important role in of study and remain professionally cultivating outstanding performing and are serving as models of a viable pedestrian pathway. performers and master musicians, supporting and validating traditional involved in performing and teaching ensembles, and producing publications career in music for aspiring students. culture in the face of a homogenising and programmes that build a future Tajik classical music. These graduates that are sought by music teachers At the same time, Western audiences Through its rehabilitation efforts, world. This is important because audience base for traditional music are also engaged in publishing a and musicians.