The Library of Congress, in cooperation with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, (RFE/RL) will display more than 50 letters and other items from Afghanistan in an exhibition that opens tomorrow. The exhibit marks the recent gift from RFE/RL to the Library’s African and Middle Eastern Division of a collection comprising 15,000 letters from listeners of Radio Azadi (RFE/RL’s Afghan Service). The exhibit will be on view 24 February through 8 May from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Saturday, on the first floor of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson building at 10 First Street, SE, Washington, DC. The display is free and open to the public.
Letters selected for display at the Library of Congress include those from schoolchildren describing the conditions in their schools, young people writing love poems to their significant others, villagers complaining about corrupt officials, prisoners asking for prison reform, refugees describing their plight and older people discussing life and work in Afghanistan decades ago. Many of the letters are illustrated with floral and animal designs reminiscent of an earlier tradition.
Photographs of modern day Afghanistan and its people will be on display. Sound booths will allow visitors to listen to Radio Azadi’s broadcasts in Dari and Pushto with voiceovers in English and live telephone conversations among family members re-united through Radio Azadi.
(Source: Library of Congress)
