Since the withdrawal of Western forces in August 2021,
the lives of women in Afghanistan have descended into unimaginable hardship.
Not only have their fundamental rights been stripped away, but the very essence of their freedom has been shattered.
Women in Afghanistan no longer possess the basic rights to live life fully—no freedom to education,
to graduate, to love feely, to travel unaccompanied, to enjoy a simple walk in the park, or even to ride a bicycle.
Under the oppressive rule of the Taliban, these women endure a public existence devoid of dignity, autonomy, and hope.
Under the Starry Afghan Sky is a collective formed by eleven courageous young women, aged between 15 and 23,
who continue to navigate life in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
The collective emerged from the important work of Herat Online School (part of AEA: Afghanistan Education Action),
founded by the educational activist Angela Ghayour, who herself fled Afghanistan in 1992. Facilitated by Rachel Karafistan of Cosmino Theatre,
the project has taken on a unique form, with the young women participating in virtual sessions from the safety of their bedrooms since September 2022.
In ‘Ay Kash/ ای کاش / If Only’, the space is held by the presence of Rachel Karafistan of Cosmino Theatre,
yet it is the voices, films, songs, and drawings of the eleven young women in Afghanistan that take centre stage.
The material for the show has been exclusively collected via text messages under the constant pressure of lack of electricity, internet access and Taliban surveillance.
These young women have many things they wish to share with the world: their personal stories since the Taliban’s rise to power, the tales of their mothers and grandmothers and most importantly,
they wish to express their hopes and dreams for a better future. Their stories burst into life through a blend of song, object theatre, storytelling, and a touch of AI.
The performance is further enhanced by animations, designed to protect the creators, by Berlin artist Anna Benner, based on 10-second films provided by each young woman.
Fot: Tobiasz Papuczys
