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Garma
Garam More
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Afghanistan |
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. SPACH
The valley has been in the hands of the Taliban since the autumn of 1998. In spite of all the efforts, statements and promises between the Taliban and SPACH negotiators, it was around that time that the head and part of the shoulders of the smaller Buddha were blown off, partly by a rocket, partly by explosives. Even worse, the infamous Taliban commander who threatened to damage the Buddhas in the first place had succeeded in drilling holes in the head of the bigger Buddha with the aim of inserting dynamite into the holes.
He appears to have been stopped at the last moment by the Taliban governor of the Bamiyan Valley, with whom SPACH was in contact. The most recent damage has been the burning of tires just above the mouth of the big Buddha, so his entire face is now blackened. Apparently, the commander concerned has recently been arrested. It seems, nevertheless, a miracle that these incredible Buddhas have more or less survived in a country in which they have become strangers who were not able to flee.
SPACH is likewise trying to trace objects illegally exported from the Kabul Museum and, if possible, to purchase them and eventually to give them back to the museum when the situation in the country is stable. A controversial activity indeed because, although the aim is to save the artefacts for the country, it might have the effect of stimulating the illegal digging and plundering. Nevertheless, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) gave SPACH the green light on this, provided that the items will indeed be given back to the museum. In order to collect as much information as possible about the area, SPACH has been building up a network of people who are experts on, or interested in, Afghanistan's cultural heritage specifically. This is also the reason that a photo collection is being set up: to keep their memory alive. SPACH is financially supported by donations from various governments and individuals. It is backed by Unesco, ICOM, and the International Blue Shield Committee, with which there is intensive contact. The most important goal is to raise awareness of the plight of the cultural heritage of Afghanistan, especially among the Afghans themselves. As an Afghan friend once said: interest in Afghanistan's past gives hope for Afghanistan's future. Published in IIAS 2000
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