Symphony of Courage

Five years ago, the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, dramatically transforming life across the country and once again imposing severe restrictions on music and artistic expression. Join us for a screening of Symphony of Courage, a Voice of America documentary film that tells the remarkable story of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, which was forced to close in August 2021 as its students and musicians faced persecution. The film follows sisters Farida and Zohra as they live in hiding under Taliban rule while the institute’s founder, Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, works with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and others to secure safe passage for the school’s students, including members of its all-female orchestra. Their eventual escape to Lisbon, Portugal, is a powerful story of courage, resilience and the enduring freedom found through artistic expression. Following the film, join a conversation with president of the Friends of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music and COO of The Julliard School Lesley Rosenthal, and filmmaker Beth Mendelson, for a closer look at the mission to save the institute's students and the power of art to endure even in exile.

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