Société Européenne pour l'Etude des Civilisations de l'Himalaya et de l'Asie Centrale

Professor Ikuo Hirayama dies at 79

It is with profound sadness that the SEECHAC has learned the death of Professor Ikuo Hirayama at the age of 79.

Professor Hirayama was a recognized painter and public personality.

He was also an advocate of peace and dialogue between cultures, as well as an activist for the preservation of world’s cultural heritage, recognized for his work on the Silk Road and the Buddhism.

Ambassador of goodwill of UNESCO since 1989, the Professor Hirayama ensured the promotion of the preservation of the temples Angkor in Cambodia, Mogao Caves in China, Buddhist monuments of Bamiyan in Afghanistan and the Koguryo tombs ensemble of North Korea.

He has also funded Ikuo Hirayama fellowship program which gives scholarships to 100 young researchers from around the world doing researches on the Silk Roads.

This is a great loss to the international community of curators, restorers and artists.

29/01/2010 21:41