At world fair, Afghan emigre wants people to rediscover troubled homeland

A visitor looks at a private collection of Afghan artefacts at the Afghanistan Pavilion during the Dubai Expo 2020, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 12, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

DUBAI (Reuters) - An Afghan who fled his country over 40 years ago has stepped in to rescue Afghanistan's exhibition at the Dubai world fair after the Taliban takeover in his homeland in August scuttled official Afghan participation in the mega cultural extravaganza.

The 62-year-old, Vienna-based antiques dealer gathered up his family collection of Afghan artefacts, including carpets, daggers and jewellery, to fill the Afghan pavilion that had remained shut when Expo 2020 opened on Oct. 1.