Afghan Women Solidarity Concert and Fringe Programme
(To end oppression and violence against women and girls)
Press release 7 February 2025
From recording at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios to an upcoming performance with the Ulster Orchestra. The Afghan and Northern Irish music duo, Zarifa Asghari & Eva Kearney announced in concert line up.
On International Women’s Day 8th March, Belfast will host the Afghan Women Solidarity Concert to end oppression and violence against women and girls. A fringe programme surrounding the concert will include events with schools, youth organisations, businesses and women in music.
Zarifa Asghari, who fled Afghanistan to find safety in Northern Ireland took her hand to songwriting through a music project with Beyond Skin and partners, Feile and Oh Yeah Music Centre. She was introduced to Eva Kearney, one of Northern Ireland's rising music stars also known as Aqua Tofana. They have become a formidable songwriting duo recently recording their debut EP 'Afghan Girl' at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios. Eva has been touring and performing with her band that includes her partner Nolan Donnelly who will also be performing with Eva and Zarifa at the concert. Eva has been using her music to speak out about violence to women and girls and Afghan women oppression.
Zarifa and Eva will join a line-up of musicians who will perform with members of the Ulster Orchestra for two shows at the Orchestra’s new home on Townsend Street. Two shows 4pm and 7pm 8th March.
Right now music is banned by the regime in Afghanistan. Girls are not allowed to go to school and women have no rights, not even the right to speak in public. Violence against women and girls is encouraged by the regime and child girls for sale for marriage is a growing industry. Belfast was awarded UNESCO City of Music status three months after the Taliban took control of Kabul and banned music.
The concert and fringe programme is supported by a consortium of businesses, foundations, individual donors and agencies. Full list released later in February.
The concert will have two, one-hour shows at 4pm and 7pm on 8th March following on from the Belfast International Women’s Day rally organised by Reclaim the Agenda.
Further announcements to follow in the lead up to the concert including guest musicians and details about ticketing soon via www.ulsterorchestra.org.uk
ENDS//…
For more information contact:
Jasleen.beyondskin@gmail.com or info.beyondskin@gmail.com
www.beyondskin.net/iwd25
