Finding Home

Gonçalo Fonseca

05 oct – 03 nov 2024
iNstantes — Associação Cultural

  • Exhibitions
  • EI Archive
  • Avintes

The re-exhibition of Gonçalo Fonseca’s work, part of the Encontros da Imagem collection, marks a significant moment for the festival. This work entered the collection through the Galeria da Estação, a space managed by the Encontros da Imagem Association and dedicated to promoting new Portuguese artists, where it was exhibited last year. With this choice, we aim to further strengthen the relationship between Galeria da Estação and the Festival. Until now, the festival has been a source of inspiration for the programming of this space. This decision seeks to initiate the reverse process: bringing exhibitions from the gallery to the festival, thus driving and aligning ourselves with its objectives.

Finding Home

Before the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the Nation’s Institute of Music (ANIM) played in some of the most renowned concert halls in the world. In 2021, as the US pulled its troops out of the country, ANIM, home to 273 students and staff, was forced into exile.

In December 2021, these talented refugees found a new home in Portugal with renewed hope that music would again fill the halls of their prized Institute and that stage fright would be the only fear its students face. “When the Taliban came to Kabul, we had to leave,” says Dr. Sarmast, the founder. “Now, we dare to hope, but still there is much to do.”

As Russia’s war in Ukraine ramped up, the Portuguese government struggled to deal with the influx of refugees from Eastern Europe, making the students and staff live for almost a year in a rundown military hospital in Lisbon before being resettled in the northern city of Braga.”

“My dream is to keep Afghan Music alive“ says Shogufa Safi, 18, conductor of the all female Zhora Orchestra, now living in Braga, north of Portugal. With Afghanistan now a silent society, a huge weight has been put on this group of refugees. They are to be the protectors of Afghan musical traditions, making sure the ancient sounds of their home country continue to be heard in the future. Their regeneration in Europe is something they are still fighting for, living as refugees in a strange land.

iNstantes — Associação Cultural
Largo Palheirinho 32, 4430-798 Avintes

Opening Hours:

Monday – Sunday
09:00–12:00/14:00–18:00