Seattle-based Non-profits to Host Cultural Festival Highlighting Achievements of Afghan Artists

“Jashin: A Celebration of Afghan Arts,” co-organized by Seattle Opera and Tasveer, will be held on Feb. 11 at the Opera Center.

Seattle Opera, in partnership with Tasveer, a Seattle-based South Asian social justice arts non-profit organization, is hosting “Jashin: A Celebration of Afghan Arts,” a day-long cultural festival highlighting the remarkable achievements of Afghan artists.

Afghan cultural consultant Humaira Ghilzai will be the host for the day, which will include presentations from artists as well as poetry readings, according to organizers.

The festival will include a concert by world-renowned rubab player Homayoun Sakhi; an exhibition of rescued artworks by the artist-activist group ArtLords; the unveiling of an embroidery project created by local Afghan women in partnership with Refugee Artisan Initiative; and screening of Voice of America’s documentary “Symphony of Courage,” about the 2021 escape from Afghanistan to a new home in Braga, Portugal, of the entire school, including its acclaimed all-female Zohra ensemble.

The day will also include a presentation by film director Roya Sadat, who was the stage director for “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” a 2007 novel by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini. Rita Meher, executive director of Tasveer will conduct the post-presentation Q&A. The free event will also feature opportunities to support local Afghan artists and refugees through financial and supply donations.