DUSHANBE, September 17, 2008, Asia-Plus — The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is formally designating the Tajik sculptor Amri Aminov as an Artist for Peace at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris today, the UN News Center said.
UNESCO’s Director General, Koichiro Matsuura, will bestow this designation on Mr. Aminov before an audience including Tajikistan’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hamrokhon Zarifi.
Mr. Matsuura welcomed the designation of the artist “in recognition of his contribution to spreading UNESCO’s message of peace and tolerance through his artistic activities and his dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization,” according to a press release issued by UNESCO.
Native of Tajikistan, Mr. Aminov studied in St. Petersburg, Russia. He is known for his lost-wax cast bronze statues. Living in France since many years, he has created trophies for two of UNESCO’s prizes, the Cities for Peace Prize (1999) and the Special Prize of Cinema for a Culture of Peace awarded to Chinese film director Zhang Yuan in 2000.
Appointed for two years, Mr. Aminov Amri Aminov will support UNESCO’s activities aiming at the protection and promotion of intangible cultural heritage, in particular of traditional handicrafts in Central Asia.
UNESCO Artists for Peace are internationally-renowned personalities who use their public influence and charisma to assist in promotion of UNESCO’s message of peace and culture enriching programs. Mr. Aminov will join the host of celebrated Artists for Peace including musician Manu Dibango (Cameroon), dancer Miyako Yoshida (Japan), conductor Valery Guergiev (Russian Federation) and founder of the musical group Gypsy Kings, Chico Bouchikhi (France).
