BAMIYAN CITY (SW): The foundation stone for spectacular Bamiyan Cultural Centre was laid here on Sunday.
With this began construction work on the $ 5 million project that aims to support and promote art and culture in the country. The center would have a state of the art museum, library and a hall. The ceremony was attended by Afghan officials, UNESCO representatives and diplomats from the Embassy of South Korea in Afghanistan.
Two years ago, hundreds of architects from around the world pitched as many as 1070 designs for the project out of which a design by an Argentina-based company was selected and approved for the project.
Speaking on the occasion, Sayed Sadat Mansoor Naderi, Minister of Urban Development Affairs said that the project would help turn Bamiyan into hub for foreign tourism in Afghanistan. Muhammad Tahir Zuhair, the governor for Bamiyan said that due to lack of such centers the antiquities are poorly kept outside the province but would be brought back to the province after this center is built.
This center is divided into 3 main portions. South Korea has pledged to finance the first 2 portions of it while the third portion of the center would be funded by Ministry of Urban Development Affairs.
Chin Ki Hoon, the South Korean Ambassador in Afghanistan, said on the occasion that the project symbolizes Afghan-Korean friendship. The diplomat added that it was the first Korean-funded project in Afghanistan and the Korean government would support more such projects in the country.
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