Tajik Sculptor Amri Aminov Chosen as UNESCO Artist for Peace
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO will formally designate the Tajik sculptor Amri Aminov as an Artist for Peace at the Organization’s Headquarters in
Paris tomorrow.
UNESCO’s Director-General, Koïchiro 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 the agency.
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).
Known for his lost-wax cast bronze statues, Mr. Aminov previously studied in St Petersburg, Russia. Currently living in
Paris, the native-born Tajik 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, which was awarded to Chinese film director Zhang Yuan in 2000.
Appointed for two years, Mr. Aminov will advocate the ethos of UNESCO’s through activities aimed at the protection and
promotion of intangible cultural heritage, with a particular focus on traditional handicrafts in Central Asia.
ENDS