Afghanistan’s Hidden Treasures bound for Canadian Museum of Civilization

Afghanistan’s Hidden Treasures
bound for Canadian Museum of Civilization

Gatineau, Quebec, September 10, 2009 — A ceremonial signing of an exhibition agreement between Canada and Afghanistan took place on Saturday, August 29, in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan. Mr. Mohammad Zia Afshar, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and Mr. William Crosbie, Canada’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, signed this significant agreement, which will bring the exhibition Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures to the Canadian Museum of Civilization this fall.

“We are thrilled to be the first Canadian venue to host Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures following its success in Paris, Turin, Amsterdam, Washington, Houston, San Francisco and New York,” said Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “Our visitors can look forward to a fascinating exhibition that celebrates Afghanistan’s diverse cultural heritage, rooted in centuries of trade and conflict along the legendary Silk Road.”

The exhibition features 200 precious artifacts from the National Museum in Kabul, including gold jewellery from the fabled Bactrian Hoard, pottery, sculpture, weaponry and more, all between 2,000 and 4,000 years old.

This acclaimed international exhibition will be on display from October 23, 2009 to March 28, 2010 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

Afghanistan: Hidden Treasureswas organized by the National Geographic Society and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in association with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.

The Museum of Civilization is Canada’s largest and most popular cultural institution, attracting more than 1.2 million visitors each year. The Museum’s role is to preserve and promote the heritage of Canada, contributing to the enhancement of Canadian identity. The Museum is also home to the Canadian Postal Museum and the Canadian Children’s Museum. The Canadian Museum of Civilization is the centre for research and public information on the social and human history of the country.

Media Information:

Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7167

Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7169

Fax: 819 776-7187