BAMYAN CITY - A cultural center of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was inaugurated followed by holding the Silk Road festival in central Bamyan province on Monday, an official said.

Having historical importance, Bamyan was declared as SAARC Cultural Capital for 2015 by a high-powered delegation of the organization in 2014.

Participated by more than a thousand Afghan and foreign guests, the camp was inaugurated by cultural director of SAARC, deputy information and culture minister, lawmakers and representatives of ministries.

Musdaq Khlili, deputy information and culture minister, called the inauguration of the camp important to cement relations of SAARC member countries. He told the participants: “Bamyan is your home and we hope relations between Afghanistan and SAARC member states will improve.”

Bamyan Governor Tahir Zuhir urged SAARC to recognize Bamyan as secretariat of the organization and deliver the message of peace, friendship and civilization of the province to the SAARC member countries.

He urged SAARC to encourage foreign tourists to visit Bamyan and cooperate in fields of culture and tourism in Bamyan.

The cultural camp of SAARC opens in countries where a cultural center of the organization is available. A number of popular artists of the organization visited the camp’s inauguration.

Meanwhile, the SAARC festival which includes cultural programs, arts show, Silk Road festival, local food festival and an exhibition of handicrafts was also started today.

The festival would continue for five days amid tight security. (Pajhwok)