This exhibit runs from January 9 to Februray 16.

Afghanistan has not always been a battleground. Before the overthrow of the monarchy in 1973, two progressive kings, Nadir Shah and his son, Zahir Shah ruled the country prudently, supporting education for both boys and girls (separately), and encouraging foreign assistance to develop roads, airports, irrigation, electricity systems, and other basic infrastructure. The 44 years of their combined rule is often regarded as the country’s modern golden age. Life was difficult and sometimes harsh, but the country was at peace and progress was afoot. The coup d’état instigated by Zahir’s cousin, Daoud Khan, brought an end to that period and set in motion a series of wars and foreign interventions that lasted until the American withdrawal in 2021. It was followed by the harshly-repressive fundamentalist regime which rules today.

The narrative for this exhibit is to acquaint Oregonians with the native beauty of Afghanistan and the universal humanity of its people, and to impart a sense of what life there was like when the country was at peace half-a-century ago. With America’s longest war there recently ended, this is a perfect time to look back on what were simpler and less fraught times in that nation. It is also a chance to share with new generations a story that will soon be gone from living memory.