Golden Threads of Heritage: Afghanistan’s First Performance at Unity Fest

Unity Fest became a bridge between Afghan heritage and HSE’s global community.

This year marked a very special and historic moment for the Afghan Club at HSE University our first-ever participation in Unity Fest. It was a remarkable opportunity to proudly represent Afghanistan, share our cultural traditions, and introduce our heritage to students from all over the world.

Our Afghan desk stood among many other cultural tables, each representing a different country. We decorated our space with love and pride, presenting a variety of traditional Afghan foods such as Kabuli Pulav, Manto, Kechri, and Dwo Piazza, served with homemade sauces. To give our visitors a taste of Afghan hospitality, we also offered dry fruits and nuts, including almonds, dried apricots, chews, and pulses. Alongside the food, we displayed several important historical books about Afghanistan, allowing guests to explore our country’s rich history and culture.

One feature that made our desk truly unique was our interactive quiz about Afghanistan. Visitors were asked questions about our country’s geography, traditions, and culture. Those who answered correctly received small gifts, such as beauty creams, as a token of appreciation. This activity brought joy and curiosity to our booth, creating a friendly and engaging atmosphere that attracted many students and teachers.

Later in the event, we proudly took to the stage for our cultural performance. We began with a short yet powerful video presentation accompanied by a national Afghan song, displayed on the projector. The video beautifully showcased Afghanistan’s breathtaking mountains, cities, and sightseeing places, leaving the audience deeply impressed by the beauty of our homeland.

After the video, our colleague Rihanullah Mohamand performed a traditional warbling in Pashto. Dressed in Pashto attire with a paj on his head, he carried the rhythm and pride of our culture to the audience. Following him, another Afghan student, Shaheer, sang a heartfelt song in Dari, representing another of our country’s beautiful languages. To conclude, a group of Afghan students came on stage, each dressed in traditional clothing from different ethnic groups of Afghanistan. Together, they waved and said “goodbye,” symbolizing unity in diversity.

Participating in Unity Fest was an unforgettable experience for all of us. It was not only a celebration of our identity but also a meaningful opportunity to connect with the HSE community and share the warmth, diversity, and beauty of Afghan culture. For the first time, Afghanistan’s voice echoed proudly across the HSE stage woven like golden threads into the colorful fabric of Unity Fest.

We are deeply grateful to the administration of HSE University for giving us this golden chance to represent our homeland and be part of such a vibrant and inclusive event.

Shared by

M Ibrahim Moneeb