The 20th of Hoot (solar year) marks the National Day for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. The Ministry of Information and Culture has committed to the preservation of cultural heritage, especially those sites registered with UNESCO.
Officials from the Ministry of Information and Culture have stated that currently, nine historical monuments of Afghanistan are listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Efforts are ongoing to register Bagh-e-Babur, Takht-e-Rustam, and the Masjid-e Noh Gunbad in Balkh with UNESCO as well.
“The ministry is striving to register some historical monuments in Herat city, the Masjid-e Noh Gunbad in Balkh province, as well as Takht-e-Rustam and some other locations with UNESCO,” stated Khubib Ghafran, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Experts say Afghanistan’s cultural heritage not only preserves the national identity of its people but also serves as a bridge connecting the past, present, and future, linking generations together. From Herat, the city of culture and civilization, to Ghor, Bamyan, Balkh, Kabul, and Samangan, every corner of this land holds a story of ancient civilizations.
However, some of these heritage sites are now on the verge of destruction.
Wali Shah Bahra, a cultural affairs expert, spoke about the preservation of these sites in the country, stating: “It is the government’s responsibility to secure sufficient funding for the protection, maintenance, and especially the restoration of these historical monuments, as they stand as testimony to our nation’s rich history and are a clear example of our ancestors’ capabilities.”
According to some cultural experts, since Afghanistan became a member of UNESCO, the organization has not paid significant attention to the protection of the country’s heritage.
“Unfortunately, from the past until Afghanistan gained UNESCO membership, this organization has not given much attention to registering the country’s cultural heritage—whether in the field of tangible or intangible cultural heritage,” stated Ikrami Fanduqistani, another cultural affairs expert.
The historical monuments of Afghanistan registered with UNESCO include Bamiyan Buddha, the city of Zahak, the Minaret of Jam in Ghor, the Buddhas of Bamyan, and several other important sites.