Hi RIchard, hope all is well. This is a great call, with really useful links. Is it available anywhere online to link to? I'm sure others would find that useful too. 

Best, Josie 

On Thu, 9 Sept 2021 at 15:42, Richard Nevell <richard.nevell@wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:

Hello everyone,

The International Council of Museums and Wikimedia Switzerland have started an initiative to raise awareness of illegal trade of cultural heritage artefacts and antiquities from Afghanistan.

They are asking people to share images and data, and write Wikipedia articles about Afghanistan's cultural heritage. Further details, including how to join, are on meta-wiki: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_CH/Afghanistan_Antiquities_at_Risk

The threat to tangible heritage is very real and significant. The project focuses on trafficking, but the situation in Afghanistan reminds me of a BBC News piece from 2015 explaining why the so-called Islamic State were so focused on destroying tangible cultural heritage in Syria: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34112593 

These are more than just objects. Heritage sites and artefacts are seen as a threat as they can be a focus for national identity. They were also destroyed to provoke an emotional reaction. The factors involved in the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan in 2001 are also relevant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhas_of_Bamiyan#Destruction

While writing about Afghan's cultural heritage and the threats, or sharing images, it is important to contextualise it with the human context where possible: what these artefacts mean to the people of Afghanistan. I will be striving to do that while editing. This project can play an important role in sharing information and helping mitigate trafficking of antiquities, so please do take some time to lend a hand.

Kind regards,

Richard Nevell

--

Dr Richard Nevell

Programme Coordinator and Connected Heritage Project Lead

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