Poland, 02-954 Warsaw
1, Goplańska Street
phone: +48 22 8855410
fax: +48 22 8856500
email:
warsaw@afghanembassy.com.pl

office hours: 9-16
visa section: 10-12, 13-15

Life&Culture

The culture of the region known today as Afghanistan has been around for millennia and is - since the Arab-Muslim conquest - largely influenced by Islam. Different regions of the country have their own unique traditions, reflecting the multi-cultural and multi-lingual character of the nation. For example: the Pashtuns practice Pashtunwali, which is a pre-Islamic cultural tradition. There are also other traces of pre-Islamic traditions, most of all by religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Baha'i Faith, though Islamic norms and mannerisms appear prevalent. Afghanistan has been the main crossroads for Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East which has influenced its culture.

Memorial Days:

No     Date Anniversary
1 21 March New Year
2 22 March Day of Education
3 25 March Day of National Sport
4 Last week of March Day of Geologist
5 27 April Victory Day (collapse of communism)
6 28 April Anniversary of Mujahideen Victory
7 4 May Day of Martyrs
8 24 May Day of Teachers
9 11 June Anniversary of Loya Jirga
10 14 June Mother's Day
11 25 June Counter Narcotics Day
12 19 August Independence Day (independence from Great Britain))
13 31 August Pashtuns' day
14 9 September Shah Masoud's Day
15 18 September Day of 2005' Parliamentary elections
16 7 October Art Festival
17 10 October Anniversary of 2005' Parliamentary elections
18 13 October Day of Ecology
19 16 October The beginning of the Week of Afghan Red Crescent
20 12 November Anniversary of Victory over Terrorists
21 28 November Anniversary of Bonn Conference
23 20 December Anniersary of the First Senate Meeting
24 23 December Anniversary of unification of Afghanistan and election of temporary Government
25 28 December Anniversary of Red Army Invasion on Afghanistan
26 27 December Anniversary of Constitution Approving by the President
27 15 February Independence Day
Kuchies and Heritage

The Kuchies (Nomads)

Form 40% of the population in Afghanistan; they are a community that migrates with their cattle of sheep, goats, camels and donkeys to different part of the country in the semi annual seasons. These small communities have an active contribution by the selling of milk and the animals to the locals and butchers to the local communities in the economy of Afghanistan. As well as most farmers in the country their economy is damaged by continued wars, damaged roads and several years drought during the reign of Taliban.

Heritage

Throughout different parts of its history, Afghanistan has been subjected to Greek, Persian, Central Asian, Islamic, Mongolian, Chinese, Indian, Russian and British influences, all of which were reflected in the country's extant built heritage. Regrettably over two decades of war inflicted lasting damage on that heritage and also halted the training of skilled technicians with the ability to restore and maintain what was left. Efforts to educate Afghans about their own heritage are ongoing

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