On January 24 and 25, 2025, the Academy in Exile, based at TU Dortmund and led by Dr. Frangis Spanta, hosted an international interdisciplinary conference titled "Afghans in Exile: Identity and Solidarity." This significant gathering brought together people of Afghan heritage, cultural practitioners, scholars, and interested participants from various countries to reflect on identity, exile, and artistic expression.
We were honored to be part of this special program with our Poetry Project. The talented poets Anastasiia Dunaieva and Shahzamir Hataki deeply moved the audience with powerful and profound words about home, loss, resistance, and hope. Their verses told stories of flight, new beginnings, and the longing for belonging—topics that resonated personally with many attendees. Their performances were beautifully accompanied by the atmospheric music of Nesar Ahmad Attaie and Zahir Wahab.
Beyond poetry, the event offered numerous opportunities for exchange. Conversations about art, migration, and the significance of cultural memory shaped the atmosphere. It was a space for encounters, listening, and collective reflection on the challenges and opportunities of life in exile.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the organizers, participants, and audience. "Afghans in Exile" was not just an event—it was a moment of connection that will stay with us for a long time.
