On March 5, superstar violinist Midori and her colleague Clara Kim, traveled to Braga, Portugal, to visit faculty and students at Afghanistan National Institute of Music.

Dr. Sarmast joins director of PEN America's Artists at Risk Connection, Julie Trebault, and music ethnologist Mirwaiss Sidiqi to discuss the music community’s role in cross-border solidarity and emergency and relocation measures, as well as the innovative ways to preserve Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage.

The Gala marks the return of ANIM in full force to the concert stage, after its members were forced to flee from Taliban repression in the fall of 2021 to continue their unique co-educational musical training on Afghan and western music.

ANIM students and staff attended the World Justice Forum 2022 joining participants from 116 countries, committed to Building More Just Communities in The Hague.

On May 20, Dr. Sarmast – founding director of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) – will receive an honorary doctorate from New York’s Juilliard School

During the visit, students from ANIM and Escola Artistica de Música do Conservatorio Nacional joined Yo-Yo Ma for a performance of Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik.

273 ANIM students, faculty, staff and immediate family members landed safely on December 13 in Lisbon, where they have been invited to reestablish the school.

There they rejoined the ANIM students, faculty, staff, and immediate family members who were rescued in recent weeks, including the famed, all-female Zohra orchestra.

The girls were among the last students affiliated with the Afghanistan National Institute of Music to be evacuated from Kabul since the Taliban regained power in August.

This beautiful work is dedicated to the women of Afghanistan, and represents their struggle for justice, equality, and freedom with the hope that comes with a new dawn.