UK Tour Important Update

4th March 2024

Subject: Afghan Youth Orchestra is denied Visa entry to perform in the UK

It is with deep regret that the Afghan Youth Orchestra (AYO) informs the community and public that  the orchestra was denied an entry visa to the UK. AYO, a group of exceptionally talented young female and male afghan musicians, was scheduled to embark on a concert tour of the UK called "Breaking the Silence". This concert tour is part of the South Asian Sounds Festival hosted by the Southbank Centre.

The visa refusal not only dealt a significant blow to the young musicians' aspirations but also deprived these young musicians an opportunity to raise awareness through music about the gender apartheid against Afghan women and denial of cultural rights of the Afghan people by the Taliban. It is further disappointing that the visas were denied on the eve of International Women's Day.

AYO expresses its profound disappointment that thedenial of visas not only deprives them of an opportunity to share the beauty of Afghan music with the audiences in four cities in the UK, but also share their message of resilience, hope and struggle with the international community. Having said that, AYO remains resolute in their commitment to promoting the empowerment of marginalized voices through music. These young students have been traveling the world and in recent months they toured in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Tajikistan.

The group flee Afghanistan after the return of the Taliban, and since December 2021, live and study in Portugal, where they were granted asylum.

The Afghan Youth Orchestra calls on the UK authorities to reconsider their decision and grant the orchestra the opportunity to share their music and their message with the people of the UK.

https://www.anim-music.org