10/11/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Delivers Speech and Hosts Luncheon for the Press Conference regarding "Hidden Treasures" Exhibition

November 10, 2015: 
Artifacts stored at the National Museum, Kabul in Afghanistan have been on the world tour, and they are to be exhibited in Japan next year. The exhibition starts on January 1st, 2016 at Kyushu National Museum in Fukuoka until February 14th. Then from April 12th to June 19th, Tokyo National Museum will hold the exhibition titled “Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul.”

The ancient artifacts, once believed to be lost forever due to the chaotic state of conflicts, had been hidden by the courageous National Museum staffs. They were “re-discovered” in 2004, after the establishment of the current Afghan government. Such artifacts and some of those had been kept in Japan in order to maintain the collection will reunite for the exhibition in Fukuoka and Tokyo next year, and eventually will be returned to their mother home, Afghanistan.

To widely publicize such a rare and precious occasion to enhance fully of the relationship and friendship between Afghanistan and Japan, a press conference was held at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan, organized by the sponsors of the exhibition tour, Fuji Television and Sankei Shimbun. The press conference was opened by His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie’s remarks that it is such a great opportunity to display that prove Afghanistan’s rich cultural and historical background.

Following H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie, Mr. Masami Zeniya, Executive Director of Tokyo National Museum, made a remark by thanking all the sponsors and supporters of the upcoming event possible to happen in Japan, and introduced how attractive the collections that the cultural history of Afghanistan -crossroad of Silk Road- reflects even after 4000 years since their creation.

After the demonstration of video footage briefly explaining the fate of “Hidden Treasures” what they have been through, Mr. Yoichi Inoue, Director of Curational Planning of Tokyo National Museum, briefed the attended media the overview of the artifacts planned to be displayed at the exhibition based on 4 excavation sites.

(Photo credit: Exhibition’s facebook page, see link below)
Mr. Ryohei Suzuki, one of the most emerging, well-known and talented Japanese actor, was assigned to be a “Special Navigator” –an icon to represent the event on the media. He will also be the narrator of the listening guide device at the exhibition museums. Based on his knowledge as a holder of the class-A World Heritage Exam certification, he expressed his excitement and willingness to widely spread the news and background story of the “Hidden Treasures” of Afghanistan.

Before closing, H.E. Dr. Fatimie made an additional remark regarding the realization of the event, and expressed his deep gratitude to all supporters and contributors, namely the Honorable Mr. and Mrs. Matsunami of Japan-Afghanistan Friendship Association who were in attendance. The time dates back to 2012, when Tokyo Conference for Afghanistan was held in Japan, the Honorable Mr. Kenshiro Matsunami spoke with then-president of Afghanistan H.E. Hamid Karzai that the exhibition of the “Hidden Treasures” be held in Japan. After the instruction from H.E. then-president Karzai to H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie at that time, once what seemed like a dream idea, becoming the actual event in 2016. Therefore His Excellency expressed his deep appreciation and gratefulness for all those dedicated to this event happening for further solidifying the friendship of Afghanistan and Japan. The remark was received by a room full of applause by attendees of distinguished guests and media staffers, in addition to the embassy staffs.

The conference was attended by nearly 150 media personels and journalists, including TV coverage. The news were reported subsequently on multiple articles all over Japan. The event came to a closure with a fruitful publication, then the entire visitors enjoyed Afghan cuisine prepared and served by the embassy.

Prior to the press conference, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie had a pleasure of communicating with the key guests and participants including the executives of Fuji/Sankei group at His Excellency’s office.

For the detail of the Special Exhibition “Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul” in Japan (Fukuoka and Tokyo) please refer to the following links:
Exhibition's Official website (Japaneese)
Tokyo National Museum (English/Japanese)
Fuji Television (Japanese)
Exhibition facebook page (Japanese)