The Embassy of Italy in Kabul, relocated to Doha, in collaboration with Tornabuoni Arte, organised a special event dedicated to Alighiero Boetti (1940–1994) and his connections with Afghanistan, within the framework of the prestigious international modern and contemporary art fair Art Basel Qatar (Doha, 5–7 February 2026).
The works on display, created during the artist’s stays in Kabul between 1971 and 1979, explored the inspirations he drew from his travels in the country, which profoundly influenced his subsequent artistic production. Boetti’s close relationship with Afghanistan emerged as a source of original creative research and of a conception of art as a space for dialogue between different languages and worldviews. His collaborations with Afghan craftswomen and his use of embroidery as an artistic practice provide an emblematic example of this intercultural dialogue, grounded in respect, cooperation and the appreciation of local knowledge. The narrative of Boetti’s extraordinary experience in Afghanistan also recalled the 1971 opening of the “One Hotel” in Kabul’s Shar-e Naw district—another piece in a human mosaic symbolising the principles of hospitality and care, which are fundamental in Afghan culture.
The event highlighted the role and commitment of diplomacy in promoting Italy’s national artistic heritage and in safeguarding the memory of its cultural legacy in Afghanistan, testifying to a timeless bond between the two countries.
