Sunday, April 3, 2011

the exhibition Fragments of Tradition, Beauty and Hope

On 31 March 2011 the exhibition Fragments of Tradition, Beauty and Hope, Photographs by 13 young men and women from Bamiyan was opened by HE Mr Ben Knapen, Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation. The Ambassador and Honorary Consul of Afghanistan attended the opening and the Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the fact that another image of Afghanistan is now shown through this exhibition.

Scroll down to see a video of the opening to hear what was said by Lilian Gonçalves- Ho Kang You, Chair of the Board of the Prince Claus Fund, HE Mr. Ben Knapen, Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation, Christa Meindersma, Director of the Prince Claus Fund and H.E.Mr. Enayatullah Nabiel, Ambassador of Afghanistan in the Netherlands. Also on the photo on the right is Ehsan Turabaz, Honorary Council of Afghanistan.

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 months workshop that was supported by the Prince Claus Fund. The exhibition shows the results of this workshop offered by the 3rd Eye Photojournalism Center.

The photographs illustrate the resilience of people in the midst of conflict. These photographs also give a unique and personal insight into the geographic, social and political context of life in Afghanistan and the reconstruction and peace-building efforts that are going on. These pictures of Afghan society, culture and landscape will enhance our understanding of Afghanistan through the eyes of young Afghan photographers. The aim of the workshops was to build the capacity of young amateur photographers in Afghanistan. In the workshop, photography functioned as an instrument for social development, cultural reflection and preservation, women’s emancipation, capacity building and youth empowerment.

More information on the workshop given by the 3rd Eye Photojournalism Center can be found on this part of our website (link).

The exhibition can be seen from 31 March 2011 until 17 June 2011 in the Prince Claus Fund Gallery at the Herengracht 603, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Exhibitions in the Gallery are free to visits by the public from Monday to Friday from 10.00 hours – 17.00 hours.