Discover Afghan Music

Discover Afghan Music

Gatineau, Quebec, February 1, 2010 — On February 6, the Canadian Museum of Civilization invites you to enjoy an afternoon of Afghan folk songs and instrumental tunes. Vaheed Kaacemy, one of Afghanistan’s most popular singers, will be performing in conjunction with the exhibition AFGHANISTAN: Hidden Treasures.

Join us to discover the world of Afghan music, its traditional instruments and the stories behind the songs. Mr. Kaacemy and his fellow musicians employ a number of ancient musical instruments, including the chang, a mouth harp; the tabla, a drum common in Afghanistan and India; the ghichak, a two-stringed instrument; and the rubab, which has three main strings, two harmony strings and 13 short strings.

Music of Afghanistan
By Vaheed Kaacemy, one of Afghanistan’s most popular singers
Saturday, February 6 at 2 p.m. — Northern Salon
In partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation Canada
Free with Museum admission

Born into a distinguished family of musicians in Kabul, Mr. Kaacemy has been performing for the past 30 years, winning the hearts of three generations of listeners. 

He has researched and collected music throughout Afghanistan and performs ghazals, or folk songs, and instrumental tunes as well as his own compositions. He travels regularly in his native Afghanistan to teach music and, as part of a research project sponsored by Aga Khan Foundation, to interview and record the country’s musicians.

Mr. Kaacemy has performed at Kabul Stadium and at Pul-e-Charkhi Political Prison, and has toured throughout the United States, Australia and Europe. He recently worked on a historic compilation of children’s songs from Afghanistan.

The Aga Khan Development Network has developed an interactive travelling exhibition, Bridges that Unite. The exhibition showcases Canada’s ability to bridge the developed and the developing worlds. From investing in community development and higher education to preserving and nurturing cultural heritage, the nature of this work requires a long-term horizon, and a commitment to social change over a generation or more.

The Canadian Museum of Civilization is the centre for research and public information on the social and human history of the country. Located on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, the Museum is Canada’s largest and most popular cultural institution, attracting more than 1.3 million visitors each year. The Museum of Civilization’s principal role is to preserve and promote the heritage of Canada for present and future generations, thereby contributing to the promotion and enhancement of Canadian identity.

Media Information:

Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7167

Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7169

Fax: 819 776-7187