A band of young Afghan refugees who have been granted asylum in Portugal could enter the UK to perform four concerts. Authorities had banned the young women from entering the UK, citing a lack of information about the students. The question was whether the young women actually belonged to a school and had the financial means to make the trip. This refusal led to a wave of criticism, which led those in charge to reconsider the decision and issue the necessary visas for the orchestra to enter.
“We've played all over the world since we left [do Afeganistão]But we never faced this,” lamented Ahmed Sarmast, director of the orchestra. In reports to the newspaper Guardian. “Rejection” by British authorities would be “significant blow” to Breaking The Silence international tour [Quebrar o Silêncio, em português]An initiative aimed at raising awareness about the denial of women's cultural rights under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
The orchestra brings together 47 young people between the ages of 14 and 22 and is currently based in Portugal, providing asylum to the group and incorporating the National Music Institute of Afghanistan since 2010. When the Taliban came to power, this institution was transformed into the command center of the new government. Offices ransacked, bank accounts frozen, tools abandoned.
After fleeing to Qatar in 2021 following the takeover of Kabul, the young women were welcomed in Portugal, where they have been given immigrant status and access to public schools and health services. It was only after arriving in Portugal that the culminating rehearsals for the now international tour took place. For the United Kingdom, shows are planned in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. Previously, the orchestra had already performed in countries such as France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany – a factor that was even more strange when the ban was received.
“The main purpose of the orchestra is not just to share Afghan music as it is Banned and suppressed [sob o regime dos taliban]But achieving cultural diplomacy – person to person – around the world”, reports the director of the orchestra.
After Prohibition, the orchestra redoubled its appeals to the sensitivity of the British authorities. This voice was joined by many, including Labor Congresswoman Diana Johnson. In a publication In social network
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