De förbjudna melodierna

Professional Afghan and Swedish musicians come together in a stage work that highlights one of the world’s most endangered musical traditions – the Afghan one.

Category & Stage	Duration	Price	Age limit
Music, Folk Uppsala Concert & Congress, Hall D (free seating)	2 hours and 30 minutes	Regular: 135 SEK Discounted: 105 SEK Service fee will be added	13 years

About the Performance

Afghanistan is currently the only country in the world where music is banned. In this performance, Afghan music, with roots stretching back thousands of years, is given new life on the Uppsala Concert & Congress stage. With the help of song, poetry and a musical collaboration between traditional Afghan and Western instruments, you get to experience what happens when silenced tones are allowed to sound again.

Melodies that are no longer allowed to be played in their country of origin are juxtaposed here with Swedish songs arranged with forbidden Afghan instruments – an artistic expression that arouses both curiosity and reflection.

A blend of Afghan traditional instruments and Western orchestral elements creates a unique soundscape that reflects both resistance and hope. The performance is interspersed with stories from musicians in exile, highlighting the vital role of music for freedom of expression and democracy. In addition, the evening will start with a panel discussion with invited cultural actors, politicians and researchers, discussing the impact of artistic freedom on our societies both globally and locally.

Participants

Ramin Saqizada – rubab (lute, the national instrument of Afghanistan)
Fridoon Hashemi – tabla
Pär Moberg – saxophone
Andreya Ek Frisk – bass
Marcus Sjögren – drums
More musicians to be announced

The project is funded by the Postcode Lottery Foundation and is carried out in collaboration with the Malmö Academy of Music, Dera Studio and Evolving Traditions.

Presented by Nykterhetsrörelsens Bildningsverksamhet and Uppsala Konsert & Kongress