The first concert of Aseman band and the come-back of its establisher Arash Barez took place in Paris on June 5, introducing Afghanistan music to Europe.
Aseman is a multicultural ensemble formed by distinguished artists from Afghanistan and Japan, who live in Paris, created to bring Afghan music (silenced in the only country where music is entirely banned) back to international stages.
The concert was organized by Nadja Zdravkova and Taklit Production, supported by a numerous French and Afghan associations and organizations in Paris.
A number of distinguished guests including French diplomats, representatives of Parisian cultural institutions, Afghanistan and Central Asian leaders of cultural and social organizations, visited the concert, underlining the importance of showcasing the positive side of Afghanistan through arts and culture.
Among the concert visitors were Marat Akhmedjanov, the founder of the British publishing house Hertfordshire Press and patron of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London), as well as known writers, theater performers, painters and journalists from Afghanistan, who currently live in exile.
Aseman’s performances are not merely concerts; they are a declaration of resilience, cultural preservation and the freedom of artistic expression, a voice that stands against the silence.
At the heart of the ensemble stands Arash Barez, an Afghan singer and composer whose musical language rises from Eastern roots and unfolds within Western musical structures. His voice is shaped by lived experience, a voice that carries both pain and hope, exile and rebirth.
After the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, he continued his artistic journey, musical education, and professional growth from France, a place where Aseman became not only the name of an ensemble, but a new horizon for artistic and cultural renewal.
Kengo Saito, a Japanese musician and master of the rubab—the traditional Afghan instrument—has gathered a deep understanding of Afghan musical traditions. His artistry and active role in the group’s musical arrangements form an essential bridge between cultures.
Alia Païenda, the group’s violinist, is of Afghan heritage, born and educated in France. Her refined technique and expressive sensitivity add a vibrant color to the group’s performances.
Mojtaba Habibi is a well-known musician, establisher of the first rock band in Afghanistan “Kabul Dreams”, who lives in Paris.
Abi Rezai Rezai, the band’s guitarist, born in Afghanistan and educated in France, specializes in jazz improvisations.
The concert was a huge success among French and Afghanistan visitors, leaving the surprised audience in tears, celebrating the traditional songs with singing and 7 standing ovations.
