Fly With Me is a festival of Afghan culture, one year after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Hundreds of kites were taken to the skies across Europe, the World and the UK on 20th August 2022. One of Afghanistan’s most popular cultural activities is Kite Flying, which the Taliban have stopped.
It was the perfect weather for the inaugural Fly With Me event on a warm summer’s day on Hampstead Heath, with the wind in abundance. The crowds turned out for this well-organised event; people were ready to experience Afghan culture. There was food, music, dance, poetry and kite creating & flying. People loved the workshops showing the participants how to fly and create their own kites. Many others decided to bring their own kites, as seen in my photographs. Some were elaborate, and some hadn’t seen the light of day for thirty years. This event was an opportunity for them to the kites out in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.
It was a joyful event and made me happy that I came to celebrate Afghan culture, which was stopped by the Taliban taking over. But not only has kite flying been banned, but lots of cultural activities and, most importantly, women aren’t allowed to pursue what they want to do in their lives. This event was replicated in 38 cities worldwide, including London, Paris, Berlin, New York, LA, Manchester, Glasgow and many more.
One of the big backers is Steven Fry, who said,
“Every kite in the sky will be for Afghanistan, for hope, and for the faith that the people in Afghanistan will once again be free.”
Steven Fry
Looking back at the last twelve months, it has been the folly of the American government to pull out of Afghanistan and give it to the Taliban on a plate. A legitimate government was already in place, but they were sidelined, all because Trump wanted a quick media event to show he was doing something.
Now back to today, when there are even more problems in the world due to Ukraine, the Afghan refugees are being forgotten. The British Home Office has cut the number of refugees allowed in the UK, and those here are still housed in unfit accommodation. This will most likely get worse with a new Primeminister in September.
The event was organised by Sanjar Qiam, Elham Ehsas, Elaha Soroor and other Afghan artists across the UK. Together with Good Chance Theatre, Heath Hands and all the volunteers.
Photographs of the event
You can catch more of my photographs on the Flickr link below and purchase images on Alamy News Agency. Plus, sign up for my newsletter for events each month in London and the surrounding area just like this event.
Many thanks for reading; there are plenty of other stories on my blog each month about various events I get invited to in and around London.
You can catch more of my photographs on the Flickr link below and purchase images on Alamy News Agency. Plus, sign up for my newsletter for events each month in London and the surrounding area just like this event.
