Voice of America’s documentary, “Symphony of Courage,” had its world premiere on October 1, 2022 at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal. The documentary recounts the 2021 escape from Afghanistan - and to a new home in Portugal - of the Afghan National Institute of Music and its acclaimed Zohra Orchestra, Afghanistan’s first all-female ensemble, in the wake of the Taliban ban on most music performances in the country. This was ANIM’s first public performance since fleeing their homeland.
VOA at the Premiere of "Symphony of Courage" in Lisbon, Portugal
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Dr. Ahmad Sarmast with Farida and Zohra Ahmadi of ANIM at the premiere of "Symphony of Courage" in Lisbon, Portugal.
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Founder and director of the Afghan National Institute of Music, Dr. Ahmad Sarmast speaks with Acting VOA Director Yolanda López.
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VOA Deewa's Munaza Shaheed interviewing attendees of the world premiere of "Symphony of Courage."
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The Afghan National Institute of Music in their first public concert since fleeing Afghanistan, at the "Symphony of Courage" premiere.