Celebrating Poetry as Spring Comes to Afghanistan

Hundreds of Afghan poets gathered in Jalalabad City to celebrate the coming of spring with an annual poetry festival.

The Orange Blossom Festival marks the start of spring in Afghanistan, with a celebration of poetry from prominent local poets.

Poetry has long been a cultural tradition and an important part of the country’s education.

And this year, many write about their desire for a peaceful and united Afghanistan.

38-year-old Ezatullah Zawab is a poet from Jalalabad, well known for his poems about peace and unity.

He has published his poems both in Pashto and English.

“I’ve been interested in poetry since childhood,” he says after reciting his new poem called “Be Brave”.

“When I was at school and I was only 15 years old, I started writing poems. I wrote many poems about unity and peace for Afghans because there was still fighting in Afghanistan after 40 years.”

It’s the 10th time Ezatullah has participated in the Orange Blossom Festival.  He usually writes poems about unity, education and the beauty of nature.

But not this time. “This time I write about peace,” he says.

“In recent years the Afghan government and the international community have made many attempts to hold peace negotiations with opposing armed groups to bring peace to the country. I write poems about peace to encourage people towards peace and unity. We’re in dire need of peace. And it’s part of every authors and poets responsibility to promote peace.”

One of his famous poem is called “Promoting Unity”. It won an award last year from local civil society organisations.

Two years ago he also received an award from a group Afghanistan National Businessmen for his poetry.

Through poetry, Ezatullah wants to channel people’s frustrations.

“When I perform my poems on stage, people say to me that they’re really proud of me,” he recalls.

“Afghanistan is a country where most people are uneducated. Because of this, they can’t share their problems and desires through writing. But a poet can, and they appreciate it. People respect poetry here. I think every poet and author should talk about people’s suffering.”

22-year-old Hashmat Sapay is not a poet... but he loves poetry so much that he’s come to join in the festival.

He believes that such events can have a positive impact on society. He likes the fact that many poets are writing about peace and unity.

“I believe this kind of festival for poets can create a powerful union between Afghans. This event can have an effect on people of the region as well.”

The governor of Nangerhar province, Gul Agha Sherzay, closed the event with his poem entitled “Come Out from Violence”.

“It’s time for unity. None of the generations or tribes is able to bring peace until we all gather in unity. If we want to bring peace to our country, we should first be united...”