Before the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the Nation’s Institute of Music (ANIM) played in some of the most renowned concert halls in the world. In 2021, as the US pulled its troops out of the country, ANIM and it's 273 students and staff, was forced into exile.
In December, these talented refugees found a new home in Portugal with a renewed hope that music would again fill the halls of their prized Institute and that stage fright would be the only fear its students face.
“My dream is to keep Afghan Music alive“ says Shogufa Safi, 18, conductor of the all female Zhora Orchestra, now living in Braga, north of Portugal with 90 another students. Many have left Portugal in search of better opportunities. With Afghanistan now a silent society, a huge weight has been put on this group of refugees. They are to be the protectors of Afghan musical traditions, making sure the ancient sounds of their home country continue to be heard in the future. Their regeneration in Europe is something their are still fighting for, living as refugees in a strange land.
Afghan refugees play fooAfghan refugees play football at dusk in the former military Hospital of Ajuda Lisbon Portugal where students and staff of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music lived in for 8 months br June 2022
Zhora Ahmadi gets ready for ther trumpet practice at the former military Hospital of Ajuda Lisbon Portugal May 2022
Students from Afghanistan s National Institute of Music nervously wait before the first concert in a major music hall since they were forced to flee their homeland This was an emotional celebration of Afghani music and their traditions Lisbon Portugal October 2022
Students from Afghanistan s National Institute of Music play and sing their national anthem at the Gulbenkian Foundation the first concert in a major music hall since they were forced to flee their home This was an emotional celebration of Afghan music and their traditions October 2022
Juma Ahmadi holds up the a portrait of his wife who stayed back in Afghanistan Juma came with his two nieces Farida violinist and Zhora trumpet player and left behind in Kabul his wife and his son who at the time was one month old June 2022
One of the few things that Juma Ahmadi brought to Portugal was soil that he collected from the music School s courtyard br Juma came with his two nieces Farida violinist and Zhora trumpet player and left behind in Kabul his wife and his son who at the time was one month old June 2022
Safia Azghari and Jamila Azghari two musicians from the Zhora Orchestra ANIM s all female orchestra July 2022
A rehearsal room at the Military Hospital of Ajuda in Lisbon July 2022
Najib Ahmad Zai and Mashal sing their friend Sevinch a Happy Birthday at their apartment in Braga They were part of the original group of 273 refugees that came to Portugal br About 90 remain with the school May 2023
Najib Angar goes for a swim in the Ger s National Park one hour drive from Braga br May 2023
Students from the Afghan National Institute of Music take a boat ride in the Tagus River March 2022
