The Forbidden Melodies – A Special Tribute to Nashenas

The Forbidden Melodies – A Special Tribute to Nashenas is an evening that combines film, conversation, and concert, celebrating one of Afghanistan's most significant musicians and composers. 

Through his life story and music, a cultural heritage shaped by resistance and anonymity is reflected – from Nashenas' early years to today, when the music lives on in exile. Come and experience an evening where forbidden melodies are given new life on stage. The evening begins with a film screening and a panel discussion on freedom and democracy. The film to be shown is called The Life Journey of Nashenas. In addition, Nashenas himself will be present! Part of the Malmö Folk Festival in collaboration with the educational association NBV. 

The evening is dedicated to Dr. Nashenas, one of Afghanistan’s most influential musicians and composers. The name Nashenas, meaning “the anonymous one”, was adopted early in his career at a time when music was socially taboo and often had to be practiced discreetly. Despite this, he became one of the country’s most beloved voices and a central figure in Afghanistan’s modern musical history. 

The evening culminates in a concert where Nashenas’ compositions are performed live by an ensemble of Swedish and Afghan folk musicians. The musicians have taken part in the touring production The Forbidden Melodies and here interpret his works in a living dialogue between tradition and the present. 

At a time when music in Afghanistan is once again forced into anonymity, these melodies are given new life on stage — as memory, resistance, and future.