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An exhibition featuring the works of 53 Afghan women artists opened in Herat from February 3 to 5, showcasing 120 pieces across miniature painting, illumination (Tazhib), calligraphy, and painting. The event offered visitors a vivid glimpse into Afghanistan’s rich artistic heritage.
Hosted at the Cultural Center of the Iranian Consulate in Herat, the exhibition attracted a notable number of visitors, reflecting growing public interest in traditional Afghan arts, especially those rooted in the historic Herat School.
One of the participating artists, Raihana Fedaei, has been working in illumination and miniature art for nearly a year. She shared that the public response was encouraging. She emphasized that her work is deeply inspired by the Herat School, following the stylistic principles of the renowned master Kamal al-Din Behzad.
This exhibition holds broader cultural significance following the inclusion of the Herat School of miniature painting and Behzad’s legacy on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list under Afghanistan’s name. The works presented by these women represent more than individual creativity—they embody a collective effort to preserve, revive, and pass on a centuries-old artistic tradition.
Through their dedication, these artists are preserving a cultural legacy that once made Herat a major center of art and aesthetics in the region. Their contemporary interpretations remain faithful to historical roots while bringing the tradition into today’s context.
Participants expressed hope that women’s art in Afghanistan will receive stronger support from both the public and cultural institutions, underlining that safeguarding cultural heritage is inseparable from supporting the artists who carry it forward.
