Unfortunately culture is not high on the national and international agenda in dealing with fragile states such as Afghanistan. Though Afghanistan has an interesting history, years of war has destroyed important culture sites and traditions. The worst incident was in 2001 when the Taliban demolished the Buddha figures in Bamiyan. Norway’s contribution as a donor for culture is modest; however our intention is to increase the efforts.
Preserving the country’s heritage is an important task. The scope has to cover everything from historical sites to the different culture institutions and traditions. Competence needs to be re-established. Historical sites need to be restored and preserved for the future. Museums need to be upgraded. Public awareness need to be raised in order to understand why historical sites and traditions needs to be preserved for future generations. Looking to the future there are potentials for Islamic and culture tourism in Afghanistan as the country has sites of astonishing natural beauty and historical significance.
Afghanistan has two sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
- The cultural landscape and archeological remains of Bamiyan Valley.
- Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam
The obstacles for preserving the country’s heritage are many such as; lack of funding, knowledge and interest. Historical zones have been increasingly threatened by urbanization and necessary protection measurement is need for traditional/historical buildings, monuments and historical areas.
Afghanistan needs to reaffirm their cultural identity including the specificities of various ethnic groups. Rehabilitation of national traditions along with developing new techniques and skills is likewise important Afghanistan has a rich musical tradition. In addition cultural institutions and knowledge within theatre, film and literature needs support in order to make a cultural impact.
Norwegian support:
Budgets for culture are divided between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for cultural exchange and framework agreements with organisations such as UNESCO, and the Embassy, responsible for strengthening cultural infrastructure and competence. Norway supports the following cultural programs and projects in Afghanistan:
“Support for Conservation & Upgrading, Kabul Old City” is a project supported by Norwegian Embassy for more than three years, based on yearly agreements. This is support of the Aga Khan Trust for Cultures’ ongoing program for rehabilitation of historical sites, private houses and the surrounding areas in the old city of Kabul. Partly this is a conservation program and partly a program to improve living conditions for the inhabitants of the old city through infrastructure upgrading.
Support to the Gul-E.Sork Music Festival in Masar-I Sharif. Each year thousands of people travel to Masar-I Sharif as part of the Afghan New Year celebration (Nauroz) to attend this music festival. The festival brings traditional musicians and artist from different part of Afghanistan together. Norway has supported this event for three years, based on yearly agreements.
In 2007 support will be given to the Afghanistan Centre at Kabul University (HK – link inn AFG 2784 – 06/64 – vi forsøker å sende deg denne innen torsdag!) . The Centre functions as a central information depository for an important collection of Afghanistan documents. Documents of historic, political, economic, social and cultural importance is collected and digitalised in databases in order to be avilable for all whom might be interested.
Support to Kabul Theatre as a cooperation between Kabul theatre and the Norwegian theatre –“ Den Nationale Scene” (Bergen). This is a one year culture exchange program of personel supported by a partnership agreement by “Fredskorpset” (funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Norway). In addition the Norwegian Embassy supports Kabul Theatre with necessary equipment in order improve the institutional capacity and performance by the theatre. Support will also cover a contest among afghan theatre drama writers in 2007.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is supporting the UNESCO program “Emergency Campaign and Capacity Building for Safeguarding Gawhar Shad Mausoleum in Herat, Afghanistan” . The aim is to rehabilitate the mausoleum in Herat and in addition raise public awareness throughout Afghanistan of the value of its cultural heritage and the responsibilities of its protection and preservation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been supporting the Afghan PEN-club and writers House in Kabul for several years. The Afghan PEN-club is cooperation closely with the Norwegian PEN-club.
Other relevante documents:
Norwegian Embassy