KABUL (Xinhua) – An art and handicraft exhibition was opened on Sunday in the Afghan capital during which a variety of calligraphy, paintings and handicraft products were on show. The event was launched to mark the National Day for Protection of Cultural Heritages in the war-torn country, with the objective to encourage the Afghan people to protect their culture, officials said.

Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman of the Taliban care-taker government, said in his inauguration speech that the Taliban administration is taking the responsibilities to properly safeguard, preserve and protect all the cultural heritages of the country.