Cultural Canvas

Kabul Serena Hotel with its landscaped garden and walkway, captured in 2013.

Kabul Serena Hotel Ceases Operations, Transferred to Taliban Government

The Kabul Serena Hotel , one of the Afghanistan’s few luxury hotels, has ceased operations after nearly two decades, with its management transferred to the Taliban government’s Ministry of Finance. According to an official statement, …More

A pile of musical instruments, including speakers and guitars, engulfed in flames in an open field under the Taliban's orders to eliminate music in Afghanistan.

Afghan Musicians Silenced: The Struggle for Survival Under Taliban Rule

5 months ago Walma Zala

By Walma Zala, Arts & Culture Correspondent More than two years after the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghanistan’s music scene remains stifled under a total ban. Musicians, singers, and music lovers across …More

A photo of the stage at the Pashto Music Institute launch event in Malmö, Sweden, featuring traditional Pashto instruments (rubab and tabla) placed on a red carpet, a decorative vase on a table, and a colorful abstract painting in the background. A presentation screen displays the event's welcome message and details in Pashto and English.

Pashto Music Institute Launches in Malmö, Sweden, Heralding a New Era of Musical Heritage Preservation

5 months ago Walma Zala

By Walma Zala, Arts & Culture Correspondent MALMÖ, Sweden — December 27, 2024 In a momentous gathering dedicated to safeguarding cultural identity, the Pashto Music Institute (PMI) marked its soft launch on Friday in Malmö, …More