The Embassy of Afghanistan Celebrates
Cultural and Archaeological Heritage
Embassy of Afghanistan
04/17/2006
FOR IMMEDEATE RELEASE:
April 17, 2006
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
M. Ashraf Haidari
(202) 483-6410 ext. 811
[email protected]
WASHINGTON - The Embassy of Afghanistan honored achievements
in the preservation and protection of Afghanistan's archaeological
and cultural heritage Monday evening. The reception, hosted
by Ambassador Said T. Jawad, was cosponsored by the National
Geographic Society and the Association for the Protection of
Afghanistan Archaeology (APAA). The event paid tribute to a
number of individuals whose brave actions saved many priceless
masterpieces of Afghanistan’s heritage during the reign
of the Taliban, including Mr. Omara Khan Masoodi, Director of
the National Museum in Kabul.
Ambassador Jawad began the evening by recounting
the history of Afghan archaeology, and the tragic attempts by
the Taliban to erase much of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage.
“What took our archaeologists 70 years to discover took
extremists less than a decade to sell off, burn and demolish.
The hollow cavities where the Giant Buddhas once stood in Bamiyan
are a testament to the suffering of our country under the Taliban,”
he said. “The hollow cavities where the Giant Buddhas
once stood in Bamiyan are a testament to the suffering of our
country under the Taliban. Their absence speaks to the other
voids that exist today in Afghanistan, the ruins of buildings
and schools, the young men who were cut down too early in life,
the children who were not permitted a childhood, the landmine
victims missing arms and legs.” The Ambassador demanded
vigilance against cultural terrorism and warned that many looted
antiquities continue to be smuggled out of Afghanistan.
Omar Sultan, Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister
of Culture, spoke briefly about Afghanistan’s fostering
of “a culture of toleration” and the necessity of
protecting Afghan oral heritage and folklore. “Today we
need the revival of the arts…Our new generation has raised
its heads from the flames.”
Sarah Laskin, National Geographic’s Vice
President of Mission Programs, discussed National Geographic’s
assistance in the rediscovery of Afghan archaeology, including
their role in the restoration of the National Museum.
Nadia Tarzi, Vice President of the APAA and daughter
of the celebrated archaeologist Prof. Zemaryali Tarzi, informed
guests that her father’s excavation was getting larger
and will become “a monumental Buddhist site.” She
eloquently urged guests to support Afghanistan’s cultural
preservation. “All is not lost; today Afghanistan is picking
up the pieces of twenty-three years of war. Join us in filling
in the gaps, healing the wounds and opening a new window of
opportunity.”
The evening concluded with a brief announcement
by David Linsay, the Director of Government Affairs for the
Society for American Archaeology. Mr. Linsay spoke about House
Bill HR 915 and the steps being taken by Congress to prevent
stolen antiquities from entering the United States.
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