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Afghanistan is in the news almost every day, but we often see just one aspect of this country: that of bloodshed and death. There is, however, another side to Afghanistan, one of hope and vitality, of a people who want to move on in spite of their scars, of a people who show remarkable resilience. They are like flowers blooming in the debris of 25 years of war. This is also news, however fragile. It is what we bring you in Shimmering Lights, Other Stories from Afghanistan.
In 2007, we, a group of creative friends, travelled to Afghanistan. Our group comprised a cameraman, a photographer, an artist, a writer, a guitarist and a singer. We wanted to get to know the country, meet its people and find out how they deal with their tragic past and whether they still dare to dream of a future. We saw a very different Afghanistan to the one we knew from the news.
We travelled to Afghanistan with an open mind, and everywhere we went, we asked the question “why?” In the space of 16 days we wanted to meet as many people as possible, the young, the old, the poor and the not quite so poor. We were not seen as a threat because we went without any blatant security. Everywhere we went, doors were opened, and tea was poured.
The Afghan people were hungry for knowledge; they wanted to learn from us. All day long we shared our thoughts and experiences. Our musicians composed beautiful music with the Afghans, who, for years, had been forbidden from picking up their musical instruments. Together with some Afghan artists and a group of orphans, our artist set to work on the drab outside wall of a children’s shelter and integrated the holes made by bullets and grenades into colourful paintings, turning it into a cheerful wall.
We have brought together all our experiences in a presentation for secondary schools in the Netherlands. Ordinary people tell their stories; honest and authentic stories. They have been recognised, and recognition brings awareness, which is the first step towards commitment. Commitment is an indispensable cornerstone of a sustainable world. It is a multimedia presentation. Gijs Wanders, a former newsreader for the Dutch National Broadcasting Corporation NOS, presents Shimmering Lights, Other Stories from Afghanistan on stage in front of a large film screen. He recounts, reads and interweaves the stories of the Afghans we see on screen: girls playing football, musicians, teachers, business people, politicians, talent contestants, television producers and youngsters playing pool.
We went back to Afghanistan several times, for example to organize a marathon in Uruzgan, to make a documentary about Afghan girls playing in the national soccerteam and to update the presentation Shimmering Lights, Other Stories from Afghanistan.
This website provides an impression of the diversity of the project. You can listen to our music under the ‘More’ tab. Send your comments toinfo@breekbaarnieuws.nl |
