BAMYAN CITY - Residents on Thursday celebrated the title “world creative city” the central Bamyan province has been given by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Bamyan joined the list of UNESCO’s creative cities in 40 countries of the world in December, 2015.
UNESCO says Bamyan is the only province in central Asia and the Middle East winning the title of “world creative city.”
Historical and ancient monuments, tourism sites, handicrafts, and civil society engagement and people’s peaceful way of living are said to be the reasons Bamyan was nominated as a World Creative City.
World Creative Cities is an initiative of UNESCO, instituted in 2004. The World Creative Cities Network recognises cities world-wide with reputations as centers of excellence in craft and folk art, design, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music.
On Thursday, local officials attended a function to celebrate the title. An exhibition of handicrafts and a party presenting different programs were also organized on the occasion.
The governor’s spokesman, Abdul Rahman Ahmadi, told Pajhwok Afghan News the celebration showed Bamyan people were happy over the selection of the province among world’s creative cities.
“Bamyan is the capital of civilization and has a valued history, thus deserves to be titled as world’s creative city, we thank all those who made efforts in this regard,” he said.
The exhibition showcased different kinds of women’s handicrafts including embroidery, socks, cotton gloves, cloth piles, colorful rugs and others.
Zahra, one of the arrangers of the exhibition, said she had been working over the past 13 years to introduce Bamyan as a major handicrafts producer.
She said she had participated in more than 20 exhibitions, displaying handicrafts of Bamyan women to people. (Pajhwok)