Miniature painting

Silk weaving

Tile making

            CULTURE REVIVAL PROGRAM

Since its founding AIL has recognized that many Afghans have forgotten or never learned about the cultural heritage of their country.  AIL has supported small projects from time to time that reintroduce Afghans to their rich and diverse culture and history.  For example, AIL published an education and health magazine for several years in which each issue contained at least one article about the culture and history of Afghanistan.  In its centers AIL added classes, at the request of students, on the traditional Afghan artisan skills of calligraphy and miniature painting.  In its carpet weaving training for women, AIL has encouraged the women to use indigenous and historic Afghan designs in their work. People are learning who they are as a people, recovering self esteem and confidence in the long history of this land and their ancestry.

In April, 2011, AIL signed an agreement with the Ministry of Information and Culture to work in the cultural sector with officials of the local government in Herat.  Immediately, the staff members of AIL set to work on setting up a wide array of cultural programs. The Gawhar Shad Musalla complex was chosen to house many different aspects of the cultural programs. It dates back to the 15th century and is currently being restored both to historical accuracy and modern functionality.

Gawhar Shad Mausoleum
In May 2011 the Gawhar Shad Begum Library and Research Center was opened at the Gawhar Shad Mausoleum.  AIL provided books, shelving and desks and also pays for a full-time librarian.  The Deputy Minister of Information and Culture attended the ribbon cutting and gave words of high praise for AIL, and told the community members to make great use of the library.  Since its opening, thousands of local students and general public members have visited the library, many university students come to the library to study and several high schools have brought their students to tour the facility.

At the time of the library opening there were over 200 books on the shelves covering history, literature, psychology, health and politics.  At the opening ceremony the Manager of the Cultural Affairs Department in Herat asked that all teachers provide one book to the library.  Within days, more than 1,000 books were received, not just from teachers, but also from civil society members.  This shows how people have become invested in their community and how they value an educated, literate society.  Book donations are continuing.

The Citadel
Another historical building a fort called the Citadel, is being used for classrooms teaching the traditional arts and skills of Afghanistan.  Classes are offered in calligraphy, minatory (Nagaristan Mashhal), carpet weaving, silk weaving, glass making and tile making.  AIL established these classes and pays the salaries of each of the trainers some of whom have degrees in Art from Herat University and others are skilled craftsmen who have been working in their trade for years.

Another class offered by AIL at the Citadel is photography where students learn from a professional photographer how to use not only standard film but also digital photography and film making using a video camera.

Generation of Young Afghan Poets

This group aims to involve young people in the long history of poetry in Afghanistan and to revive the art of writing  in the younger generation. There are frequent gatherings of youth to read and discuss poetry and to write poems. Enthusiasm for poetry is encouraged through writing competitions as well as through historical readings.  One of the participant said, "I am a college teacher. I didn't know about poetry, but after attending the gathering I really understand a lot and I  am now more interested to read and write poems myself."     

Publications
Another publication venture saw AIL partnered with UNICEF to support the publication of a children’s magazine called “Salam Salam Bachaha” and a children’s book called “Learn About Birds.”  Both the magazine and the book have colorful pictures for the younger children, and the quarterly magazines are full of short stories and educational topics. 
AIL has also published a book about calligraphy, a well known Afghan art.

Behzad Hall
In May, Professor Sakena Yacoobi dedicated a large portion of her office building as an arts center called the Behzad Salon in tribute to the great Afghan artist, Behzad.  The official opening was attended by the Minister of Information and Culture, his Deputy, members of Parliament and several delegates of the Herat government.  All of these dignitaries provided words of praise for Sakena Yacoobi and AIL and their efforts to reintroduce the art and history of Afghanistan to the Afghan people.

Library

Carpet Weaving

Salam Salam Bachaha

Traditional Music

Voice of Education magazine
Nida-e-Talem (Voice of Education) is the quarterly magazine published by AIL. As copies are passed around among many it is estimated that  hundreds of thousands havehave read one or more copies since the start of publication.

The magazine provides interesting, informative, Farsi-language reading materials for AIL students, other NGOs, and the general public. The July issue included a diverse range of topics including: a better education means a better life, the Afghan constitution, introduction to the Haft Qalam historical stone, education during the time of King Amanullah Khan, how we can reduce the rate of divorce in society.

Many libraries and sources of Farsi-language reading material were destroyed in Afghanistan during the last quarter century of war and conflict. The goal of the magazine is to provide a forum for informed commentary by Afghans on important issues in society with a particular focus on health, education, cultural revival and current events. The magazine includes submissions from people from all regions of Afghanistan, literature, essays, jokes, health tips, interesting math questions, and interviews with top students. This popular magazine has a readership numbering in the thousands.

Traditional Afghan Carpet Weaving

Glass making at the Citadel