Afghan Youth Orchestra

In the organizer's words:

Program

TRADITIONAL - "Naghmay-e Chahartuk in Rag-e Yaman" for rubab quintet and tabla
MAS'HOR JAMAL - "Melody of the Heart (Nawa-e Dil)" for qawwali ensemble
MIKIS THEODORAKIS - "My Beloved Afghanistan" arr. Tiago Moreira da Silva
THE LAST TORCH - "Together We Rise" arr. Mohammad Qambar Nawshad and Tiago Moreira da Silva
FAZEL AHMAD ZEKRIA - "O Reed, Song of Eternity (Ay Nay Naway Jawedan)" arr. Tiago Moreira da Silva
USTAD ZAKHAIL - "On the high Mountains (Pa Loyo Ghro)" arr. Tiago Moreira da Silva
DIVERS - "Nawroz-Medley: A Celebration of Resilience and Renewal" arr. Tiago Moreira da Silva
USTAD ZAKHAIL - "Tread Softly (Pa Roro, Ro Qadamuna)" arr. Tiago Moreira da Silva
AHMAD ZAHIR - "Like a Tree in Spring (Choo Darakht-e Farvardin)" arr. Tiago Moreira da Silva

About the program

The Afghan Youth Orchestra comes from a country where music is forbidden. After the Taliban took power in 2021, the young musicians had to flee. Their music school was closed and their instruments destroyed. They found asylum in Portugal - from there they work against oblivion. Their program tells of loss, resilience and hope. Each work is deeply rooted in the cultures of Afghanistan and stands for humanity and resilience: from Sufi chants to powerful arrangements for symphony orchestra and traditional Afghan instruments. The concert culminates in the setting of a Persian spring poem as a message of hope.

"You can cut the flowers, but you cannot stop spring." (Pablo Neruda)

Young Euro Classic would like to thank Pedro Carneiro and the 11 participating musicians of the Jovem Orquestra Portuguesa for their valuable support.

The European Composition Prize 2025 will be awarded before the concert.

Young Euro Classic

Festival program

This year's program focuses on the European idea: freedom, equality, solidarity! 17 evening concerts, six ensemble concerts and a day full of diverse activities for children await the audience at Konzerthaus Berlin. From August 1 to 17, young musicians will bring their skills to the stage with dedication and enthusiasm: in great symphonies, new works and music from their home countries, complemented by jazz concerts and dance. In addition to presenting Western-style classical music, six young ensembles at the festival will show how they continue the artistic musical traditions of their home countries today in order to celebrate the diversity of musical creativity.