Fragile but unbroken, Afghan glassblowers refuse to quit

HERAT, Afghanistan — Seated in front of a searing furnace, Ghulam Sakhi Saifi teases forth sinews of molten blue glass — the guardian of an Afghan glassblowing trade refusing to break with tradition.

"This is our art, our inheritance. It has fed us for a long time," he told Agence France-Presse, resting from the work that has singed his knuckles and calloused his palms.