The Sights and Sounds and Tastes of Afghanistan were felt at the Wareham Free Library on August 26 as Dr. Laina Wylde Swiny and her husband, Dr. Stuart Swiny presented a slide show and artifacts from their years living in Afghanistan.
The archaeologists spent two years in the nineteen seventies working in the country, a period when Afghanistan had not yet felt the ravages of constant war. Over 50 residents were treated to slides and artifacts including clothing, maps, pottery and even an old rifle primarily used by Afghans for duck hunting.
Members of the Friends of the Library and the Wareham Library Foundation provided food based on traditional Afghan recipes for tasting. These included rice and lentil and yogurt dishes, salad, cookies and tea. Food was also donated by The Helmand Restaurant in Cambridge, which specializes in “cuisine from Afghanistan.” The restaurant donated traditional Naan flat bread.
More events are planned as part of theWareham Reads for September and October, including a photo exhibit of Afghanistan by Dr. Gregory Johnson, an orthopedic surgeon in Wareham who volunteered his services in Afghanistan during the war against the Soviet Union. There also will be program on Sept. 23 with Sally Hunsdorfer of Marion, who travels to the Himalayans every year to help build libraries and schools as part of the Himalayan Project. Mrs. Hunsdorfer will will speak on this important work and how Wareham students are helping.
Wareham Reads is a community-wide program involving the Friends of the Wareham Library, the Library Foundation, the Wareham School Department and many other community partners. The program encourages residents to read the book, “Three Cups of Tea” which promotes the themes of education, building bridges, and working together to overcome obstacles. Students in the Wareham schools are all reading the book this summer.
Community Reads have been conducted throughout the country to great success. Families and individual readers can enjoy book discussions, author visits, arts and multicultural programs.
