Spring Brings Poetry Season To Afghanistan

Poetry has deep roots in Afghanistan. Already one of the country's most loved art forms, Afghans are this year embracing it further, with restive provinces reviving traditional poetry festivals to welcome in Spring. 



Kandahar, once the Taliban government's capital, hosted such an evening last week, defying threats and stereotypes of conservatism associated with the southern province.



The poetry evenings, known as Mushaira, are common in Afghanistan but they have a different character in every region, where they are named after the specific region's iconic features; maybe a famous flower of fruit, or its own distinct geographical features. 



In Kandahar for instance, the evening is named after the "Flower of Pomegranate," because of the dark red fruit that proud locals consider the "gift of Kandahar."



More than 500 poets, writers and other artists, both well-known and emerging, participated in "De Anargul (pomegranate flower) Mushaira," which was attended by hundreds of spectators in the Kandahar city.



The country's new Information and Culture Minister Abdul Bari Jahani, himself a famed poet of Kandahar who wrote the national anthem, had his own message read to the audience. 



"Such evenings play a pivotal role in enriching our culture and promoting the tradition of unity, it is the duty of every of poet and other artists to play their role in this regard," said Jahani's message. 



The provincial governor Turyalay Wesa was apparently infected by the poetic atmosphere, with his own message welcoming the poets, including some who had come from neighboring Pakistan. 



"The motherland of Kandahar welcomes you all in its arms to welcome the spring in sweat and melodious words under the shadow of red pomegranate flowers," Wesa said.



Desire for peace, love for their homeland and romantic emotions were the general themes served alongside classical music and a special meal on the night. 



A week earlier, another restive province, Maidan Wardak, only a hundred miles from Kabul, hosted a similar evening. It took no less pride in its own tradition, naming its night after its famed apples. 



In the eyes of Tair Zaland, a renowned Kabul-based poet, the revival of the trend in restive provinces is something that should be welcomed beyond the artistic community. 



Zaland said that while the festivals were not previously directly banned or threatened "the participants were either too scared of various sorts of risks or were just not feeling good or free enough to welcome the spring in such a traditional way."



www.aa.com.tr/en - Kabil