USTAD FARIDA MAHWASH – RADIO KABOUL

Mahwash is one of the most popular radio vocalists from Afghanistan. After spending time in Pakistan, for her safety, she obtained political asylum in the United States in 1991. Her title Ustad (‘master’) she already earned in 1977 which is very unusual for a woman. The Taliban, with its extremely destructive regime, threw most of her recordings on the stake. Mahwash is not politically involved: ‘Art is about affection and kindness’ she says. With her most recent album, Radio Kaboul, she pays a tribute to the composers she once collaborated with. The Holland Festival brings her to the Netherlands for the first time, an exceptional event.