Embassy Showcases Rich Afghan Cultural
Legacy
Embassy of Afghanistan
05/13/2004
Washington, D.C. -- Ambassador Said Tayeb Jawad and Mrs. Shamim
Jawad hosted a gala reception at the Embassy of Afghanistan
on May 13, 2004, entitled “A Celebration of the Arts in
Afghanistan.” Numerous Afghan poets, artists, painters,
and musicians attended the reception and participated in displaying
their works, reading poems, and performing classical music.
Some 500 guests attended the reception including members of
the U.S. President’s Cabinet, Department of State officials,
Members of Congress, Ambassadors, investors, prominent journalists
and private sector representatives.
A collection of pictures of prehistoric sculptures
including one from stone 17000 years ago--the oldest sculpture
found in Asia--was exhibited. Other collections included artifacts
from the Greco-Bactrian and Greco-Buddhist styles of art that
flourished in Afghanistan from 200 BC-400 AD and the Islamic
arts that flourished in the cities of Balkh, Ghazni, Heart,
Kandahar, and Kabul from 9th to 15th century, colorful jewelries,
traditional costumes. Modern works by Professor Haidarzad, Breshna
and a 12-year old Afghan painter, living in Kabul, were also
displayed. While familiar sights to many Afghans, western embassy
visitors marveled at the diversity and quality of the artwork,
jewelry and colorful Afghan traditional attire, as seen on both
women and men.
Afghan cuisine was served to give the guests a
flavor of Afghanistan’s delicious foods. The guests enjoyed
the evening and many networked to learn about each other’s
programs and projects relating to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
In his remarks, Ambassador Jawad talked about
the history of arts in Afghanistan and noted, “Now that
we have begun rebuilding Afghanistan, nothing can serve better
than art to deliver the message of unity, love, and peace.”
Recalling the mindless destruction of the Buddah sculptures
in Bamiyan in March 2001, Ambassador Jawad called upon Afghan
artists to participate actively in reviving Afghanistan’s
rich cultural heritage.
Contact:
M. Ashraf Haidari
(202) 483-6410, (Ex-811)
[email protected]
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