Paul Smith, British Council Country Director, Afghanistan, finds hope for a vibrant and safe future in music.

The Afghan people face a number of great challenges.

First, they must mobilise themselves as a nation confident in their ability to protect themselves. Then they must demonstrate that they are independent in their capacity to govern themselves. Finally, they must display a robust will to build their economy and restore wellbeing to a society ravaged by decades of unrest and intrusion.

One of the beacons lighting the way to this rebuilding is music – that’s right, music.

I’ve been spending time this week with the pioneering Dr Ahmad Sarmast, discussing ways we can support his recently established Afghan National Institute of Music (ANIM).

In this always buzzing college a wide range of young Afghans, many of them severely underprivileged, receive up to 12 years quality education with a strong focus on music and on learning to play Central Asian and Western instruments.

The resulting sounds have been one of my relished releases in this constraining environment. Small chamber concerts by young Afghan performers, European music performed by visiting teachers, South Asian traditions rendered at their finest. And, thanks to ANIM, Afghanistan’s first rock band and its first youth orchestra, providing thrilling experiences to thirsting Afghan audiences.

The developmental significance of ANIM is evident as a creative educational enterprise. But the seriousness with which music is studied and promoted here is testament to the cultural underpinning which is so essential to the creation of new hope and confidence.

As Shakespeare wrote said: “The man that hath no music in himself… Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils.”

We’ve had rather too many of those around here just lately so, as the quote goes on: “Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.”

Read other blogs by Paul Smith, British Council Country Director, Afghanistan

Read a blog by the british Council’s Cathy Graham, on her visit to ANIM

Find out more about British Council projects in Afghanistan