As the Taliban continues to outlaw music and culture in Afghanistan, some of the
country’s biggest acts will perform in West London this June. Under the Taliban’s
dictatorship art, performance and music are banned. In defiance, the Afghanistan and
Central Asian Association (ACAA) is bringing together popular Afghan performers,
forced to live in exile, for a musical celebration at Cranford Community College in
Hounslow, TW5 9PD on Sunday, 21st June (10am-8pm).
The renowned Afghan folk singer Sharafat Parwani will headline. Known as the King of
Afghan Folk, Sharafat fled Afghanistan upon the Fall of Kabul in 2021 and this will be
one of his performances of such scale in the UK. Further performers include Farid
Chakawak and Mustamadani. All now live in exile, in the UK, US and Netherlands. The
festival is hosted by US based Afghan journalist, Nazira Karimi.
It is almost five years since the Taliban’s take over and crackdown, leading to millions of
people fleeing the country and this year’s festival, which is themed ‘Courage’, will be a
triumphant celebration of creativity and resilience. Running for its seventh year, it is a
unique chance to see popular Afghan performers, enjoy poetry by children and women’s
groups and sample food and crafts from across the globe. Politicians and local
councillors will speak during the day and there will be activities for children. With an
estimated attendance of over 5,000 people, the family friendly festival is expected to be
one of the largest cultural gatherings of Afghan people in the world.
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Founder and Director of the ACAA, Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE, said: “We are so excited
to be hosting our seventh festival to celebrate our beautiful nation and its people. I am
grateful to the performers for coming all the way to London to be part of our event. As
the American song says, ‘Wherever I lay my hat, that’s my home’, and the people of
Afghanistan have had to live that involuntary reality for too long. This summer we will
come together to celebrate our culture in defiance of the oppressive tyrants who have,
for now, kicked us out of the place of our birth.”
Tickets: £10 adult (online) £15 (on the day), £5 child aged 5-16.