“ LOST TREASURES OF AFGHANISTAN”

An evening of cultural celebration to benefit the

Association for the Protection of Afghan Archaeology and The People of Afghanistan

MARCH 29TH 2005 AT: 6:15PM, RECEPTION

                                         7:15PM, SCREENING

Situated at the crossroads of the Indian peninsula, the Iranian Plateau and Central Asia, Afghanistan enjoys an exceptional location, as a result,  its unique arts reflect the passing of many civilizations on its soil, throughout History. One of many different striking examples of Afghan cultural fusion is the Greek-Buddhist art of Gandhara, as seen in Bamiyan. Indeed it is in Afghanistan and through that Greek-Buddhist art form that the human image of Buddha was represented for the first time ever in Central Asia.

From golden treasures and ancient statues to films and artwork, much of Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage has been devastated by war and foreign terrorism over the past three decades. A new National Geographic Special, “Lost Treasures of Afghanistan” highlights the efforts of brave Afghans determined to save their past and the treasures they have helped recover, the Bactrian Gold, one of the ancient world’s richest golden treasures; precious artworks’, the country’s entire film archive, and finally the exciting search for a 1,000-foot-long reclining Bamiyan Buddha statue, possibly lying buried in the ruins of a Royal Monastery near the two huge Buddha statues blown up by the Taliban in March 2001.

 Please join Senior Curator and Director Emeritus of the Pacific Asia Museum David Kamansky, Los Angeles Consul General of Afghanistan Atiqullah Atefmal, Professor Zemaryalai Tarzi, President of APAA (Association for the Protection of Afghan Archaeology) and special guests for this exclusive premiere of the "Lost Treasures of Afghanistan".

 At the:

PACIFIC ASIA MUSEUM

46, Los Roblos Avenue

Pasadena CA 91101

Parking: Free parking is available in the museum parking lot, located on the corner of Los Robles and Union

Please R.S.V.P: by March 26, 2005 at                     RSVP_29@apaa.info or at 626-449-2742 xt 31

To support to preservation and restoration efforts in Afghanistan please make your Tax Deductible donations on line at www.apaa.info

 An APAA Pledge Book will be available throughout the evening.