FOUNDERS' MESSAGE
Welcome to the official website of ANIM
Given the damage done to Afghanistan’s music culture across years of civil war, efforts to rebuild and revitalise Afghan music into a strong cultural voice once more need to focus on those who will be our musicians of the future: the children of Afghanistan.
The establishment of the very first national music institute in Afghanistan, ANIM, is a historic event that will offer the chance for all talented Afghan youth regardless of gender, ethnicity or social circumstances to have the opportunity to study in a world-class music institute to become professional musicians and music educators.
This new initiative of the Ministry of Education of Afghanistan has been developed in conjunction with Monash Asia Institute, Monash University Australia. It offers our children high quality academic education combined with a comprehensive and specialist training in both Afghan and Western musical traditions. ANIM has a strong commitment to support the most disadvantaged group in Afghan society – the orphans and street working kids. ANIM gives them a vocation and helps them become professional and self-sustaining musicians, contributing significantly to improve their social and economic status while they also benefit from the healing power of music to ease their trauma and grief. This initiative also recognises that music is a unifying force among our ethnically diverse people that can contribute to achieving peace in our country.
As part of the ongoing process of reconstruction that is occurring throughout Afghanistan, the establishment of ANIM is also a serious and fundamental first step in rebuilding and revitalising Afghan musical traditions and culture. We are proud to say that our institute will be the model for all music schools and colleges to be established throughout Afghanistan in the future.
While the establishment of ANIM has been possible through the generous support of both local and international organisations, for us to overcome the ongoing challenges we are experiencing during its implementation we need further support to ensure the project’s long-term success.
Currently the biggest challenge we face is the serious lack of specialist teachers for Western musical instruments and subjects. With the destruction of our music heritage across three decades also came the loss of highly qualified musicians with these specialist skills. Many emigrated and others have passed away. There is now an urgent need to attract such specialists from overseas until the first graduates of ANIM can take up this role themselves.
With your support we can achieve our dream to have the finest music institute and world class musicians in Afghanistan.
Dr Ahmad Sarmast
Music Advisor & Project Director
Deputy Ministry for Technical and Vocational Education
Ministry of Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan