“Afghan poetry, music, and cultural forms have preserved memory, induced hope, and connected communities across time and space through decades of war, displacement, and crisis. I intend for this festival to be a space to celebrate Afghan creative expression and the ways it preserves our cultural forms at risk.” Ariana Siddiqui, a second-generation Afghan and the fundraising and events coordinator at Afghanaid, understands firsthand the positive impact of cultural expression on preserving identity and heritage. Her mum fled Afghanistan and sought asylum in 1992, and Ariana was brought up in San Diego. For Ariana, growing up surrounded by the sounds of the tabla, harmonium, and verses of old Dari poetry sung out by her uncles is more than just a memory—it’s a core part of who she is.
As Ariana and the team at Afghanaid gear up for the third-instalment of the Cultural Festival, we connect with Farhot, esteemed producer and founder of Kabul Fire Records, who joins the celebration from his home in Germany to play a late-night set. The Afghan-born producer’s artistry explores his heritage and identity, a journey that began when his family fled from Afghanistan in the 1980’s. Farhot is known for his skillful blends of vocal samples with diasporic sounds, showcased in his acclaimed album, Kabul Fire Vol. 2. This masterful work fuses traditional Afghan folk songs with hip-hop and jazz influences. The result? A soundscape that beautifully connects the past with the present, sparking a dialogue between cultures.
We caught up with Farhot to chat about his upcoming performance at Afghanaid’s 2024 Cultural Festival…
Your album Kabul Fire Vol II explores themes of identity and memory. Can youshare how your personal experiences have influenced your music?
“It’s hard to answer this adequately. I remember listening to 80’s or 90’s electro pop music when I was a kid – the likes of Depeche Mode – and that made me feel uneasy. I have been drawn to music with a much more warm sound – heavy bass, reggae and soul is where I’m rooted.”
How do you blend Afghan folk song samples with hip-hop beats and jazz influences to create your unique sound?
“I chop my favourite bits and pieces out of any recordings that I find on tapes, vinyl, online and rearrange them the way I find them interesting. Sampling from Afghan film gave me huge inspiration for KF vol2.”
What message do you hope to convey to the audience through your music at this festival?
“You can’t erase music in and from Afghanistan.”
How do you see music playing a role in preserving and promoting Afghan culture and heritage, especially for those in the diaspora?
“It’s been nothing less than heartwarming how much the Afghan diaspora appreciated the KF vol2 album. My generation and younger. I hope I can deliver a follow up project some day.”
Can you talk about the mission and vision behind Kabul Fire Records and any future projects we can look forward to?
“As a producer for artists I have faced distrust pretty much from when started in the business. F*ck all that, now Kabul Fire Records is the place for producer artists to express themselves more freely. I am a big fan of the artists we release on the label. Qu’s album just dropped and Silvan Strauss’ album will be released in January. I can’t wait for my next project – I will premiere some songs at the Afghanaid event called RAQS (105-188 BPM) where I sample from Arabic speaking countries. KF Records is less a music business, it’s about sincere artistry. This might sound very cheesy, but that’s really it. Trust the producer.”
It’s clear Farhot’s performance means a lot to the event, embodying its mission to keep Afghanistan’s artistic heritage alive. In a world where Afghan culture is often overshadowed and narrowly portrayed through narratives of violence and crisis, the festival shifts the focus onto its people and their artistic expressions.
Joining Farhot are Yusuf Mahmoud—a renowned singer, composer, and tabla player—and his son Ariz Mahmoud, who will play traditional Afghan music. Also on the lineup is Mojda, a Londonbased DJ whose deep love for music spans many genres, including the Afghan melodies she grew up with. Her set promises a dynamic mix, blending everything from Amapiano to Baile Funk with Afghan tunes.
Beyond music, festival-goers can expect a medley of traditional artistic expressions, bringing together poetry, visual art, literature, henna, music, workshops, an expert panel discussion, and dance performances. Don’t miss famed poet Reza Mohammadi’s recital of his beautiful work in the poetry hour, including Letter to the Rain, a poignant piece that speaks to the water crisis felt by communities in the homeland.
This festival isn’t just a cultural gathering; it’s an opportunity to support meaningful change.
Afghanaid develops sustainable climate adaptation solutions in Afghanistan by prioritising
indigenous knowledge and community-led projects, with a focus on empowering women who are most affected by climate crises. Proceeds from the event will support this essential work in rural Afghan communities.
This year’s Cultural Festival promises to be a colourful celebration of artistry, offering a vital
space for connection, creativity, and hope.
When: Saturday 17 August, 4pm – 1am. Tickets here.