NYT: The holiday marks the beginning of spring, with many in the diaspora celebrating with rebirth, renewal and, now, resistance in mind. An ancient celebration rooted in Zoroastrian tradition, Nowruz signals the beginning of spring and the new year in Afghanistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and beyond. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News: Afghan performers and other theater workers in the western province of Herat expressed grave concern over the fate of theater across the province, saying the art is disappearing due to limitations and political changes in the country. Herat theater workers said that many of the theater performers have left Afghanistan and women artists
Ariana: Afghans have meanwhile called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to allow Nowruz celebrations to go ahead. We “urge the government of Islamic Emirate to mark the Nowruz festival as it was marked in the past years,” said Mohammad Asif, a resident of Mazar. IEA officials meanwhile said that there are two Eids
Today the Taliban terrorists announced that Nowruz (Persian New Year) is against Islam & all celebrations for it is banned. These terrorists are openly eradicating anything that belongs to Afghanistan‘s cultural identity.Our resistance is for the preservation of our civilization! — Ali Maisam Nazary (@alinazary) March 6, 2022
8am: Local artists in Kapisa province have expressed concern about restrictions imposed by local officials in the province, saying that their economic problems and security concerns have multiplied since the fall of the republic. They say their professional lives are under threat. Local artists in Kapisa are asking the authorities to allow them to work
8am: The US Department of State has announced that it has authorized the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) to prevent the looting and smuggling of archaeological and ethnographic materials. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News: Aziz Hazara, an artist who currently works in Kabul and Berlin, collected a shipment of 20 tonnes of rubbish from Bagram airbase, once used as the main US military base in Afghanistan, the UAE-based The National reported. Hazara told The National that the garbage’s journey would take up to one year, and was
Chicago Sun Times: Rugs are so central to Afghan culture they often are used as currency. So it is a shock when refugees must leave their rugs behind. Having a traditional rug in their new place can help them adjust. Click here to read more (external link). Related Afghan Carpet Exports Increase Amid Economic Crisis
NPR: After the Taliban took over Afghanistan, members of the institute feared for their lives. After five airlifts starting Oct. 2, nearly 300 students, faculty and family members affiliated with the music school all made it safely to Doha by mid-November. Click here to read more (external link).
AP: Students and faculty members from the Afghanistan National Institute of Music arrived with their families Monday in Portugal, where they are being granted asylum and where they hope to rebuild their acclaimed school. Click here to read more (external link).