A Report on Kabul Group’s Iran Visit and Participation in Mobarak Int’l Fest

The play, directed by Abdolhagh Haghjou and under sponsorship of Kabul Goethe Institute, was invited to Iran by organizers of 14th Tehran International Puppet Theater Festival – Mobarak. 
Besides its performance in Birjand in Southern Khorasan province, Godi Parvaz Theater Group had four performances in cities of Ferdows and Ghaen on June 2-4.
Its main performance was on June 4 in Birjand, the festival’s venue, and attracted audiences and participating groups.
The group ended its artistic visit in Ghaen on June 6 and headed to Tehran. The group left Tehran for Kabul on June 8.
Haghjou said his travel to Iran was a cultural and touristic visit which made him change his view of Iranians regarding them as an art loving nation.
The best thing, he said, was that he and his group exchanged views with Iranian artists and saw plays in the festival. He expressed hope such connection with Iranian artists and art to continue.
Abdolmahfouz Najrabi, a member of the group, said that it was his first travel to Iran and he was surprised with the hospitality of Iranians.
“Of course besides art issues, the noble Iranian people treatment and hospitality was nice and I didn’t feel I was a stranger during my stay in Iran.”
Golab Jan Bamik, another member, said that the travel to Iran was excellent and “I am happy to become familiar with Iran culture and am feeling great”.
Ahmad Nasir Formeli thanked Kabul’s Goethe Institute, Germany’s  culture center in Iran, Iran cultural attaché to Kabul and organizers of Mobarak festival and Southern Khorasan Puppet Show Festival.
He said he took an insight into Iran culture and theater and was willing to attend the international theater festivals in Iran and other countries. 
The group received an honorary diploma by Southern Khorasan Puppet Show Festival in Birjand and was welcomed by audiences, got familiar with Ferdows, Ghaen and Birjand theater groups and visited historical and cultural sites of the cities during its stay.
At the end of the stay, the group thanked Kabul’s Goethe Institute, Germany’s  culture center in Iran, Iran cultural attaché to Kabul and organizers of Mobarak festival and Southern Khorasan Puppet Show Festival.