Conversation with Dr. Paul Michael Taylor, Curator, Researcher, and Program Director · Smithsonian Institution When we think of “cultural preservation,” we’re often talking about the preservation of historic artifacts, artworks, and past and contemporary built forms such as historic architecture and archeological sites. Each of these areas requiring preservation faces challenges worldwide, but specific concerns […]
Abstract The Azerbaijani “kelaghayi” (woman’s silk headscarf) has long been one of the most popular elements of traditional Azerbaijani clothing, and an important icon of Azerbaijani national identity. In 2014 it was included on the UNESCO list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Yet very little information is available in English about these textiles,
Abstract This paper introduces the collection assembled by geologist and anthropologist O.W. (“Bud”) Hampton (1928-2017) among the Dani of the Baliem Valley in western New Guinea, recently donated by his widow, Fleur Hampton, to the Tracing Patterns Foundation (“TPF”) of Berkeley, California. The collection includes about 1,000 items of material culture and 20,000 slides of
Abstract “Beginnings of Friendship: Revisiting the Smithsonian Collections from Commodore Matthew Perry’s Japan Expedition, 1853-1854 [ArcGIS Story map]” is an ArcGIS Story map written and published in 2023, by Paul Michael Taylor and Robert Pontsioen, as part of our partnership with Meiji University, funded by a grant from the U.S. Embassy Tokyo. This publication was
His last assignment in the U.S. Foreign Service was to serve as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Energy Resources of the Department of State. There he played a critical senior management role in establishing the new Energy Bureau, developing programs advancing global energy security while overseeing initiatives to fight corruption and build
We invite you to a distinguished cultural event celebrating the enduring legacy of the Ancient Silk Road and its influence on today’s interconnected world. This gathering will bring together embassy representatives, members of international organizations, esteemed academics, and students from across universities to explore how the spirit of cultural exchange continues to shape global achievements.
Cultural diplomacy serves as a vital instrument in fostering international relations and strengthening the ties between nations. In the context of India and Central Asia, the exchange of cultural elements, ranging from art and music to cuisine and language, plays a significant role in shaping diplomatic relationships. Both India and the countries of Central Asia
