Plans are in motion regarding a Musicians/Artists At Risk Resettlement Scheme in Northern Ireland. Currently consultation conversations are ongoing with stakeholders from music/arts community & business sector, education institutions, NI Executive, Law Centre NI and individuals/organisations active in work with refugees and migration.
Arts Council Northern Ireland are assisting the Campaign to Protect Afghan Musicians to facilitate a coordinated approach from the arts sector to provide one year placements for musicians/artists fleeing the Taliban.
The musicians of Afghanistan and their extraordinarily rich musical heritage face an unprecedented time of crisis right now. The Taliban are ideologically opposed to all music, and to all those who perform and teach music, visual arts & dance. On 26th August 2021 they announced their intention to ban music again, as they did in 1996–2001, and to prevent musicians from pursuing their professions.
Campaign to Protect Afghan musicians are a group of academics, musicians, lawyers, and human rights professionals who believe passionately that “music is food for the soul” and that in accordance with Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the musicians and listeners of Afghanistan should be free to draw upon this precious spiritual and cultural resource without fear.
For more information contact Beyond Skin office or Arts Council NI
Beyond Skin: Creative Innovators in Peacebuilding
“Enabling the Arts as the dialogue to assist the development of a more peaceful, equal and intercultural society free from racism & sectarianism.”
Belfast Carnival Centre, 11-47 Boyd Street, Belfast BT13 2GU
