Afghan Treasures are in Ottawa
"Today's images of war and suffering have clouded our understanding of the proud and prosperous history of this great nation. It is our hope that this exhibition will give rise to a new historical perspective, one that the Afghan people have taken tremendous risks to maintain and preserve for future generations."
- A catalogue essay written by exhibition organizers.
On Wednesday evening of January 25, 2010, a select group of Ottawa’s political and cultural minds gathered at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, in honour of the Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures exhibit. The exhibit features stunning Afghan treasures from the National Museum in Kabul that were hidden for 20 years by a group of brave museum staff and government employees who, in the late 1970s, were committed to protecting the artifacts from looting and destruction. The treasures were locked away in an underground vault in the Presidential palace. Thought to be lost forever, these treasures were revealed in 2003.
Together, the Canadian Musuem of Civilization and the Government of Canada, feeling honoured that the capital region is one of the exhibit’s stops as part of its world-wide tour, celebrated with more than 500 people. Among the guests, Canada’s Minister of International Cooperation, Beverley J. Oda; Ambassador Ludin, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Canada; Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation; Mr. Khalil Sharrif, Chief Executive Officer of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada; and Dr. Fred Hiebert of the National Geographic Society. Special guests at the celebration were a delegation from Afghanistan, led by Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, Omar Sultan.
As part of the evening, guests were invited to visit the exhibit, which opened on October 23, 2009, after which they enjoyed a concert performed by an Afghan music ensemble. As the Honorable Beverley J. Oda said at the reception, such cultural expressions, “represent the soul and heart of the Afghan people and Canada is proud to support Afghan cultural awareness for local Afghan citizens and the international community.”
This exhibit of has been very well received by visitors and local media in the greater National Capital Region. Canada's Ambassador to Afghanistan, William Crosbie also had the opportunity to visit the exhibit while he was in Ottawa this past fall. “For Canadians, this exhibit is an exceptional opportunity to learn more about Afghanistan’s rich and ancient history and familiarize themselves with its varied cultures,” said Ambassador Crosbie. “I had an opportunity to view the exhibit myself in October and was deeply impressed by these pieces, which underscored the remarkable diversity of Afghanistan’s history.”
The exhibit showcases more than 200 artifacts from the National Museum in Kabul, including gold jewellery, ivory, glassware and sculpture that's as much as 2,300 years old. A National Geographic documentary, placing the treasures within their historical context and unveiling the rediscovery and preservation of the artifacts, is an interesting feature of the exhibit. The Hidden Treasures exhibit is on display at the Canadian Museum of Civilization until March 28.
- For more information about the story of the Hidden Treasures, visit the Canadian Museum of Civilization webpage at
http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/cmc/afghanistan/afghanistan01_e.shtml.
