Ag tacú le ceoltóirí na hAfganastáine.

Supporting Afghan musicians and exploring ways to co-operate in preserving the traditional music of our two countries.

Bhí An Droichead páirteach ar na mallaibh i gcomhrá fá theifigh Afganastánacha ar ceoltóirí iad agus fá scéim mholta chun tacaíocht a chur ar fáil dóibh anseo in Éirinn.

On 19th October An Droichead attended meetings, organised by Róisín McDonough, CEO of the Arts Council NI, that were provided in order to update the arts sector here on the dire situation in Afghanistan. At present, musicians there are fleeing for their lives as they try to escape the country, where music is banned by the Taliban and musicians are being persecuted as outlaws.

Also in attendance were Katherine Schofield, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in South Asian Music and History at King's College London, and Darren Ferguson, CEO of Beyond Skin. They made the case for a local Musicians & Artists at Risk Resettlement Scheme (MARRS) and An Droichead are currently looking in to ways that we can support this. This could be through offering placements to Afghan musicians, helping to find accommodation within our communities, and by exploring the already deep links between the indigenous music traditions of the two countries.

Dúirt Pól Deeds, Príomhfheidhmeannach An Droichead,

“Tá nasc ann cheana féin idir traidisiún ceoil an dá thíre, mar a léirítear i saothar leithéidí John Baily. Tá An Droichead ag obair fá láthair ar phleananna do thionscadail chaomhnaithe oidhreachta agus ba iontach an rud é cartlann de cheol traidisiúnta na hAfganastáine bheith bainte linn.

Tá dóigheanna eile go dtiocfadh linn cuidiú, bíodh sin trí shocrúcháin a chur ar fáil do cheoltóirí atá ag éalú ón tír nó chun lóistín a aimsiú dóibh sna pobail éagsúla i gcroí-cheantar s’againn. Is pobail iad seo a thuigeann coimhlint agus cruachás, agus is as díograis s’acu féin a d’fhás tionscadal na Gaeilge in oirthear agus deisceart Bhéal Feirste. Bheinn dóchasach go mbeadh na daoine céanna sásta a gcuid doirse a oscailt do na teifigh seo.”