About this Event
Date: 7th December
Time: 6:30pm until 10pm
Location: The Library of St Columba's Church Of Scotland, Pont Street, London SW1X 0BD, UK
At a time when Afghanistan has been largely relegated to the margins of the news agenda, and the population faces uncertainty and real hardship, why should the country's cultural heritage matter?
Join us in London for a talk (followed by a discussion) by architect Jolyon Leslie about Afghanistan's rich and diverse cultural heritage that, as it has through the ages, continues to provide communities across the country with a sense of identity and pride. Drawing on the experience of conservation initiatives in which he has been involved over the years, Jolyon will make a case for the enduring relevance of cultural heritage in the lives of ordinary Afghans who, in many cases, remain the actual custodians of monuments and sites. During the most recent international engagement in the country, perceived threats facing heritage became part of a wider narrative that portrayed the need for protection from 'the other', to the extent that culture was at times weaponised. This divisive approach compounded the challenge of getting practical work done on the ground, where most communities consider their heritage as a shared asset that should be valued. Today more than ever, investments in culture have the potential not only to provide economic benefits and enable development of skills, but also to help heal the legacy of decades of brutal conflict by working together on sites that belong to all Afghans.
Beginning at 7.00pm. Doors will open from 6.30pm. Refreshments, tea, soft drinks and wine will be available.
About Jolyon Leslie:
Jolyon is an architect who has lived in Afghanistan since the late 1980s, working for the UN and NGOs in managing both humanitarian and development programmes. Together with Chris Johnson, he is co-author of 'Afghanistan: the Mirage of Peace' (2004, Zed). Since 2002, he has also been involved in cultural work and is currently assisting in conservation of several historic monuments in the old city of Herat.
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The Afghanistan Society is an independent, nonpolitical and nonpartisan group, open to all, which aims to showcase the richness of Afghan life and culture https://www.afghanistansociety.org.uk/
Registered Charity 327194. Registered address 18 Burstock Road, London SW15 2PW.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
St Columba's Church Of Scotland, Pont Street, London SW1X 0BD, UK, Pont Street, London, United Kingdom
GBP 10.00 to GBP 15.00