Saturday December 26, 2015
Kabul (BNA) Honorable Executive Director of Kyushu National Museum, Mr. SHIMATANI Hiroyuki, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: I am highly honored to represent the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and to inaugurate this historic and first-ever exhibition of the rich cultural heritage of Afghanistan, “the Hidden Treasures of the National Museum of Afghanistan” in this prestigious Kyushu National Museum. I extend my warmest gratitude to Kyushu National Museum, the people and Government of Japan for their keen interest in Afghanistan and its people for hosting this significant exhibition. Though this exhibition will give only a glimpse into the lives and culture of Afghans in the ancient times but no doubt these relics tell interesting stories of the people of our ancient land. Ladies and Gentlemen,
Afghanistan, the Heart of Asia, is an ancient land with rich culture and civilization. It was a crossroad of civilizations and a nexus of ideas and trade. In ancient times, it connected Central Asia and China with South Asia, the Middle East and rest of the world. This amazing geographical location along the ancient Silk Road gave this land a very beautiful mosaic of cultures, traditions and civilizations.
No doubt, Afghanistan had a troubled history. Consequent historical and political upheavals damaged and destroyed its heritage and cultural treasures. The crises of the past few decades threatened our cultural treasures. Kabul witnessed some worst kind of civil war and street fighting in the 90’s. The Kabul National Museum which was one of the richest museums of the region was bombed and looted and a large number of Museum artifacts were lost. Realizing the threats ahead, the then political and cultural leadership decided to move some of the cultural treasures from the National Museum facility to some safer places. During the civil war in 90’s and during the Taliban rule, the plundering and looting of Kabul and other major cities made headlines globally. Most Afghans and lovers of Afghan cultural heritage abroad, mourned the loss of this valuable heritage of human civilization. However, it was only in 2003 when the good news came and the Afghan Government confirmed that all the museum objects kept at the Presidential Palace were safe.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This exhibition has some astonishing master pieces from Tepe Fullol, Ai Khanum, Tillya Tepe, and Bagram, ranging from 2100 B.C. to 2nd century A.D. from the Greco-Bactrian, Greco-Roman, Kushans and Buddhist periods, telling the true story of our ancient land and people. This is a magnificent opportunity for the people of Japan to know Afghans and Afghanistan. I firmly believe that this exhibition and the exhibition that will be inaugurated later in April in Tokyo National Museum will further strengthen friendship and bonds between the peoples of Japan and Afghanistan.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Japan remained a very generous supporter of Afghanistan in rehabilitation and development in all sectors including public health, agriculture, infrastructure and other areas. In the cultural sector, in particular, Japan is our prime supporter and has contributed its assistance through several UNESCO projects in Bamyan and other areas.
In Bamyan, Japan funded preparation of a Preliminary Master Plan, Preservation of ancient wall paintings, Consolidation of Cliffs and Niches, Conservation of Fragments and Topographic Map and 3-Dimensional Model of Bamiyan site. However, this is the first major cultural initiative between the Ministry of Information and Culture of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Kyushu and Tokyo National Museums. We highly look forward for more enhanced cooperation and cultural exchanges with the Government and the people of Japan.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me remind and express my sincerest gratitude to the Japan Committee for the Protection of Displaced Cultural Properties for restoring and preserving 102 pieces of artifacts displaced out of Afghanistan for nearly 15 years. These artifacts will be returned to Afghanistan during the exhibition in Tokyo National Museum in April 2016. I therefore, pay special tributes to the late Prof. HIRAYAMA Ikuo for collecting and protecting our displaced cultural properties. Finally, I would like to thank and congratulate Executive Director of Kyushu National Museum, Mr. SHIMATANI Hiroyuki, the Chief Curator Mr. KOIZUMI Yoshihide and his all team members at the Kyushu National Museum, Japan’s Ambassador in Kabul, H.E. TAKAHASHI Hiroshi, our Ambassador in Tokyo H.E. Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatemy and Mr. Ahmad Bashir Ghafoori, First Secretary Afghan Embassy in Tokyo and our Members of the Archeological Committee for their hard work and support for arranging this historic exhibition. I also thank Kyushu National Museum and other organizers who have made substantial contributions to make this exhibition a reality and for the excellent arrangements and hospitality during our stay in Fukuoka.
Thank you
Long Live Friendship of Afghanistan and Japan
