FILM SCREENING

The documentary Symphony of Courage tells the story of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) and its brave founder, Dr. Ahmad Sarmast. Challenging the Taliban’s ban on secular music, Sarmast joined forces with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and others to evacuate his students, including the all-female orchestra Zohra, to Portugal. The film follows Farida and Zohra Ahmadi, two pre-teen girls and the last ANIM students to be evacuated from Afghanistan.

Join us for a special screening of Symphony of Courage followed by a conversation about the film and how Afghanistan’s musical heritage is being kept alive.