Afghan Girl. Music freedom in the Real World
Real World is one of most prestigious recording studios in the world, founded by musician and activist Peter Gabriel.
It has been three years since the Taliban took control of Kabul and most of Afghanistan. Since then the regime has restricted the rights of women and girls to work, learn, and go out and speak in public. A ban on music and other creative expression has been enforced by the regime.
Zarifa Asghari, who fled the country to find safety in Northern Ireland took her hand to song writing through a music project with the charity Beyond Skin and partners, Feile and Oh Yeah Music Centre. It was through the project Darren Ferguson from Beyond Skin introduced Zarifa to Irish musician Eva Kearney.
“The moment they connected, something almost spiritual happened, like lost sisters meeting, creating a powerful music duo, as if the universe had planned it.” Darren Ferguson
‘Afghan Girl’ was the first song Zarifa wrote, Eva adding the melody and singing Zarifa’s lyrics. The due assisted by Eva’s partner Nolan Donnelly on guitar have been touring events in Northern Ireland, moving audiences and raising awareness of the challenges of Afghan women.
Zarifa and Eva with Nolan have recorded their debut EP at Real World with producer Mark Smulian and engineer Bob MacMenzie and assistant engineer Maisy Preece.
The recording project curated by Beyond Skin has been supported by WOMAD Foundation and Bernard Neville Family Estate Fund. Arts Council Northern Ireland Lottery fund supported their music partnership development in Northern Ireland.
As an Afghan woman, forbidden to engage in music in Afghanistan to be free to make music, recording her songs with Eva in one of the world’s most prestigious recording studios is a victory and symbol of hope for all Afghan women under oppression.
"Art is really important for the world," Zarifa said. "I hope I can touch people's hearts with my music.
Three months after the Taliban music, Belfast was awarded UNESCO City of Music status. Zarifa and Eva are representing the city as a creative force advocating Belfast’s responsibility to be the surrogate city for Kabul; to protect, nurture and celebrate Afghan culture.
"It's truly magical and powerful making music in such a beautiful and iconic place where many have been before making their music that I love. My dream that became true I share with Afghan women, my voice is their voice because this platform i have should be used to help women being erased from all spheres of life" Eva
The EP will be released later this year.
Photos: York Tillyer
