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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(L to R) VOA's Beth Mendelson with Dr. Ahmad Sarmast and Lesley Rosenthal of the Juilliard School during the panel discussion.
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Acting VOA Director Yolanda López speaking at the world premiere of the VOA documentary, "Symphony of Courage" in Lisbon, Portugal.
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Acting VOA Director Yolanda López with Farida and Zohra Ahmadi and their uncle, Juma Ahmadi.
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VOA's Farkhunda Paimani at the premiere of "Symphony of Courage" in Lisbon, Portugal.