Afghanistan

Poets gather in Nangarhar for Sikaram Mushaira festival

Dozens of fans of poetry and literature – including Pashto poets and writers – held a traditional poem recitation (Mushaira) on the 3rd of Eid in eastern Nangarhar province.

The “Sikaram Mushaira” was held on Sunday evening in the Pachiragam district of the province to promote the Pashto language.

Many poets from across Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also participated.

Abdul Wakil Malikzai, the organizer of the Mushaira and the head of the Spin Ghar Youth Association, said that the poets who attended the program presented their writings for social change.

Malikzai added that the “Sikaram Mushaira” was not only for Nangarhar but poets from across the country were invited to attend.

“Many poets came from Kabul, Paktia, Peshawar [of Pakistan], Khost, Nuristan, and Laghman to share their thoughts with the participants. The Sikaram Mushaira does not [only] include Nangarhar [poets and writers],” he said.

“This kind of Mushaira offers a happy message and brings poets together during the Eid days. I hope that this Mushaira will become more popular,” said Jawid Dildar, a poet.

The traditional program was first held by the Spin Ghar Youth Association in 2015.

Located in Nangarhar province, the Spin Ghar mountain’s highest peak is called Sikaram – the festival’s namesake.