frankfurt ⋅ Even during their first government, the Afghan Taliban banned all music production, after regaining power in 2021 they again destroyed all institutions and instruments. In the following years, however, cultural life was able to flourish again. The musicians returned from exile and in 2010 the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) was established. The internationally recognized progressive academy resulted in bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Western classical music was in the curriculum alongside Afghan folk and art music. Furthermore, the ANIM has expressly encouraged all people in the country to learn an instrument, regardless of gender, creed or economic status.
In Germany, the institute is known for its Safar ensemble and its collaboration with German musicians, which could also be experienced at the Alte Oper in 2016. The second Taliban seizure of power put all members of the ‘academy. Thanks to international help, as many as 270 musicians were evacuated to Portugal via detours in December 2021. In Braga and Guimarães the ANIM is now resuming its work, although many things are still missing, first of all, of course, the original instruments .
