Afghan orchestra finds hope in Portugal as music dies in homeland

A group of Afghans that escaped from Kabul hold a news conference at Lisbon airport, Portugal, December 13, 2021. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

LISBON (Reuters) - When the Taliban seized power, Afghan musicians knew their futures were in jeopardy. Conductor Shogufa Safi, 18, escaped. Now in Portugal, her new home, she feels safe but her dream is to return one day and bring music back to her country's streets.

"I haven't had peace in my life yet," an emotional but hopeful Safi said after she landed in Portugal's capital Lisbon on Monday along with 272 other members of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), including students, staff and relatives.