Soul of Kabul

An exhibition about art for influence and social cohesion. About culture as a force for justice, peace and hope that cannot be silenced.  Culture is dangerous for those who want to limit people’s dreams and lives. History is filled with events where new rulers purge or destroy culture. If there is anything that history has taught us, it is to be vigilant when forces want to limit the role of culture.   

It is easy to believe that people who burn books, smash statues, paint over pictures or ban music are driven by stupidity and ignorance. Rather, the truth is that they are often well aware of the power of art to show diversity and freedom. 

In the 2010s, a movement arose in Kabul, Afghanistan, involving artists and people of different ages in society. ArtLords drove the movement forward. All over Kabul, messages and pictures were painted and written. A movement that took stylistic inspiration from graffiti, mural painting and other artistic practice from around the world. The artworks became a way of communicating in the urban space and to the outside world about Kabul’s social and political situation. Just before 2021, there were over 2,200 murals. The works of art has been called the Soul of Kabul. 

Among the first things the Taliban did upon taking power in 2021 was to paint over the artwork. 

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan and Kabul, the art movement has spread across the world. Although the Soul of Kabul in its original physical form has disappeared, the movement lives on in spirit, action and memory. 

Graffiti and street art belong to their place and their time. It is nevertheless important that cultural institutions, such as museums, create strong and versatile ties for understanding and mediation. 

With this exhibition, Gotland’s Museum wishes to spread knowledge about Kabul’s art movement and create a dialogue about urban art. 

History and politics
During the last century, Afghanistan has been characterized by a tug-of-war between modernity and tradition. Since 1979, the country has been plagued by war or armed conflict in various forms.

A communist coup d’état in 1978 and the invasion of the Soviet Union the following year led to resistance warfare, supported by the United States. Since then, Afghanistan has been characterized by conflicts, which means that a large majority of the country’s population does not know any other existence than that characterized by insecurity and war. 

After the Soviet Union left the country in 1989, the communist regime managed to cling on for three years. When support from the Soviet Union ceased following the dissolution of the empire at the turn of 1991-92, the Afghan regime collapsed in just a few months, after which guerilla groups (mujahedin) took control of various parts of the country. Civil war and bandit rule followed. 

 As a counter movement, the Taliban was formed in 1994. They captured Kabul in 1996 and by 1998 the Taliban controlled virtually the entire country. After refusing to extradite Osama bin Laden, who was accused of being behind the 9/11 attacks in the United States, the Taliban regime was toppled by a US-led invasion with the help of the warlords the Taliban chased away. 

A provisional government with international support was installed in Kabul in 2001 and the international peacekeeping force Isaf (International Security Assistance Force) was stationed in the country to militarily defend the government and support the reconstruction. After just over a year, the force was placed under NATO’s command. 

In several respects, Afghanistan underwent a positive transformation in the years following the fall of the Taliban regime. For several years in a row, the country experienced rapid economic growth and the education system and the health sector were greatly expanded. But peace was not achieved. The Taliban increased the pressure on the central government and carried out more and more attacks against mainly military but also civilian targets. Many civilians were injured and killed in attacks from all sides of the conflict. 

The US began the withdrawal of its troops in the spring of 2021. The Taliban launched a powerful offensive. In August of the same year, the Taliban captured Kabul and thus took power. The US withdrew its last troops at the end of August. 

When the Taliban took power by force, the new regime was isolated from large parts of the outside world. Aid was frozen and financial transactions stopped. The war ended but instead the country’s population was threatened with starvation. During the autumn and winter, the international community stepped in with humanitarian support measures, but without providing direct support to the state apparatus. 

Text by Swedish Afghanistan Committee 

Culture 
In Afghanistan, poetry has a stronger position than fiction. The rich literary tradition has roots in both Persian and Indian culture. 

Classical music practice, on the other hand, is closely linked to religion, and reciting the Koran is a genre you can compete in. Tabla, robab, sitar, armonia, flute and santur are examples of traditional instruments. Popular music has also been big in Afghanistan. In the 1970s, Ahmad Zaher was the country’s answer to Elvis, and in recent years singer Aryana Saeed has attracted a lot of interest. 

 During the Taliban rule in the 1990s, all music except religious recitation was banned. After the Taliban took power in August 2021, there was no outright official ban, but statements and measures have effectively prevented or hindered the practice of all kinds of music, not only popular music but also traditional Afghan music that has been resurrected and revitalized since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. 

 Before the Taliban takeover in 2021, Afghan television and radio had a wide range of both news and popular culture. More and more people followed the Turkish soaps, which began to compete with the otherwise popular Indian series. Afghanistan’s answer to Idol was called Afghan Star and was an incredibly popular show. After the Taliban took power, many programs have stopped being broadcast. 

 When it comes to sports, cricket has emerged as a popular sport in Afghanistan. It has been going really well for the Afghanistan national cricket team, contributing to more national cohesion. Otherwise, combat sports such as wrestling and boxing have traditionally been the sports that most Afghans practiced. Even volleyball has become a regular sport. 

 The Taliban’s attitude is that women should not do sports. Many elite female athletes, such as soccer teams, have been evacuated. 

Text by Swedish Afghanistan Committee