From Kabul to Vienna: Afghan Community Celebrates Culture and Resilience
With the presence of Afghanistan’s Ambassador, the festival becomes a symbol of unity and hope in Austria
September 10th, 2025
On 30-31 August 2025, the Afghan community in Vienna gathered once again to celebrate the twelfth edition of the “From Kabul to Vienna” Festival, an annual event organized by the New Beginnings Association with the support of Afghan organizations and diaspora members across Austria. The festival brought together music, literature, sports, art, and traditional hospitality, creating a vibrant space of cultural exchange and resilience.
This year’s edition was marked by the presence of Manijeh Bakhtari, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Afghanistan, who addressed the community in a heartfelt speech. “It is a pleasure to be with you today at the ‘From Kabul to Vienna’ Festival, a celebration that began twelve years ago through the ambition of the New Beginnings Association,” she said. Bakhtari emphasized that the festival shows how culture can bring hearts closer together, reminding participants that humanity knows no boundaries when mutual respect and creativity flourish.
She also drew attention to the stark contrast between the freedoms celebrated in Vienna and the reality in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. “While we are happy to share our culture in an open and democratic space, we cannot forget that in Afghanistan, music, art, sports, and literature have been silenced. Today, happiness and smiles are forbidden in our homeland, and love and kindness are treated as crimes,” she said. For Bakhtari, the festival stands as more than just a cultural gathering—it is “a symbol of sustainability, unity, and hope.”
The program featured an exhibition of Afghan books, handicrafts, and traditional food, offering visitors a chance to experience the richness of Afghan heritage. The festivities concluded with a musical performance by Afghan artists and the awarding of medals to the community’s top sports team, underscoring the importance of celebrating both cultural and athletic achievements.
The “From Kabul to Vienna” Festival continues to serve as a bridge between cultures, showcasing the resilience of the Afghan diaspora in Austria while keeping alive the traditions that face repression in their homeland. More than a celebration, it is a reminder of the power of community, creativity, and shared identity.
