Activities

Bamiyan photography project

From 31 March to 17 June 2011 the exhibition Fragments of Tradition, Beauty and Hope displaying the work of thirteen young Afghan photographers was shown at the Prince Claus Fund Gallery in Amsterdam. The exhibition was made with the advice of Hripsimé Visser, photography curator for the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.

In the province of Bamiyan, situated in Afghanistan’s central highlands, thirteen young men and women from different districts were invited to look at their environment through the lens of a camera during a three month workshop that was supported by the Prince Claus Fund. An exhibition in a cave close to where the Bamiyan Buddhas were destroyed was organised to show the results of their efforts. The event was well attended and received a lot of interest from the local community.

The photographs illustrated the resilience of people in the midst of conflict. They also gave a unique and personal insight into the geographic, social and political context of life in Afghanistan during the reconstruction and peace-building efforts. The pictures of Afghan society, culture and landscape enhanced the understanding of Afghanistan as it is seen by its youth. The aim of the workshops was to foster the talent of young amateur photographers in Afghanistan. Photography functioned as an instrument for social development, cultural reflection and preservation, women’s emancipation, capacity building and youth empowerment.

The opening was attended by H.E. Ben Knapen, Ambassador of Afghanistan H.E. Mr Enayatullah Nabiel and Mr Ehsan Turabaz of the Honorary Consul of Afghanistan. The exhibition was showcased by the National Postcode Lottery in a full page advertisement in its support of the Fund.

Knowing your background is an important part of developing yourself. Ben Knapen, Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation at the opening of the exhibition on 31 March 2011