On the 8th November 2011 Belfast was awarded UNESCO City of Music status, nine weeks after the fall of Kabul and music was banned by the regime.
This page documents some of our moments hosting concerts and programmes and making productions that champion musicians, especially Afghan artists and other musicians in exile. Thank you to all those who have collaborated and supported us over the past five years.
"A UNESCO City of Music carries a profound ethical and operational responsibility to protect, harbor, and integrate artists at risk or in exile." (UNESCO)
CONCERT FOR MUSICIANS AT RISK (January 2022)
Belfast's first ever concert featuring live traditional music from Afghanistan. Hosted at The Duncairn with guests from International Campaign for Afghan Musicians. Musicians: Yusuf & Azia Mahmoud, Daragh Lynch & Iona Zajac, Amita Ravikiran, Sara, Robbin Korveer.
Yusuf & Ariz Mahmoud performance video
Daragh Lynch & Iona Zajac "Clear Away In The Morning" video
START TOGETHER RECORDING SESSION (January 2022)
Musicians from Syria, Eritrea, Iran, America and Northern Ireland representing.
And straight off the plane from USA - Robin Korevaar - musician and member of International Campaign For Afghan Musicians. Various productions were recorded including for Chinese New Year
“Hǔ,hǔ ya hǔ" (Official music video & interviews)
云水禅心 Zen Rhythm - Wei Deng (Music Video)
"EYES OF A STRANGER" (May 2022)
Song written and performed by Finbar Magee accompanied by Breige Quinn "Eyes of a Stranger" is an anti-racism song and in this video Finbar explains the origins of the song. Interview and Music Video
Feté de la Musique (Make Music Day) 40th anniversary.
Representing Belfast we curated a production or the song L’ été performed by Gabriella Di Laccio & Helen Tseng
Music Video produced by Gemma Bovenizer.
