Summary of "Andrew Solomon: A Time of Hope" – The Moth Podcast

Episode Title: A Time of Hope
Host/Author: The Moth
Guest Storyteller: Andrew Solomon
Release Date: December 12, 2011
Transcript Timestamps: [01:30] – [17:56]
Theme: Stories of the Sacred

Introduction: Exploring Resilience Through Art

Andrew Solomon, a renowned author focused on the theme of resilience across various contexts, takes listeners on a poignant journey to Afghanistan following the fall of the Taliban. His mission was to document the resurgence of art in a society where artistic expression had been brutally suppressed.

“A lot of my work is about resilience. ... I was fascinated to think about a place where there was no art, and under the Taliban in Afghanistan there was no art at all.”
— Andrew Solomon [01:30]

Arriving in a Silent Afghanistan

Upon his arrival, Solomon faced significant challenges in uncovering the state of Afghanistan's artistic community. Initial interactions suggested a complete absence of artists and musicians, reflecting the Taliban's draconian restrictions.

“There are no artists in Afghanistan. ... there are no poets in Afghanistan.”
— UN Representative [03:00]

This profound silence fueled Solomon's determination to find remnants of artistic spirit amidst the devastation.

Discovering Hidden Artisans

With the assistance of his translator, Farouk, Solomon discovered the National Gallery of Afghanistan, where Dr. Asifi had clandestinely preserved and restored artwork suppressed by the Taliban.

“He carried his bucket and he dipped his piece of cloth in, and he began to rub the surface of one of the paintings. And suddenly everything began to appear...”
— Andrew Solomon [07:45]

Dr. Asifi's efforts symbolized the fragile yet persistent hope for cultural revival.

Meeting the Miniature Painter

Solomon visited a master of Persian miniature painting, who emphasized the importance of preserving Afghanistan's artistic heritage before envisioning a future.

“For those of us in Afghanistan whose past has been very nearly annihilated, we have to secure the past before we can even begin to think about the future.”
— Persian Miniature Painter [09:30]

This encounter highlighted the deep-seated connection between art and identity in Afghan society.

Engaging with Secular Poets and Women Artists

Solomon's exploration led him to secular poets and women engaged in poetry despite societal constraints. Their stories revealed the complexities of maintaining cultural practices under threat.

“Why are you still wearing that thing? ... I'm wearing it because they might come back to power, and if they do, they'll punish anyone who went out without one.”
— Woman Poet [12:15]

Another poet shared the emotional toll of enforced invisibility:

“I always thought if the Taliban fell, I would burn this thing and I would never put it on again. But... after five years, you get used to being invisible...”
— Female Poet [14:00]

Reviving Afghan Music

The heart of Solomon's story centers on the revival of Afghan music. He met a singer who, amidst oppression, found solace in nurturing pigeons and doves as a form of "music" when traditional instruments were banned.

“At the beginning, I thought I would go crazy. ... there was a kind of music that even the Taliban couldn't forbid.”
— Afghan Singer [15:30]

Together with other musicians, they worked tirelessly to reclaim their cultural heritage, practicing secretly and maintaining their instruments despite the risks.

The 13-Hour Musical Marathon: A Testament to Hope

Driven by a desire to showcase the rebirth of Afghan music, Solomon organized a gathering where musicians played continuously for 13 hours. This marathon session became a powerful symbol of resilience and communal hope.

“There’s a kind of music that is possible only after you've been silent for five years.”
— Andrew Solomon [17:00]

The event transcended mere performance, transforming into a sacred celebration of regained freedom and artistic expression.

Reflections on Resilience and Joy

In concluding his story, Solomon reflects on the profound joy that emerges from enduring and overcoming immense adversity. The continuous music served as a beacon of hope amidst the lingering shadows of conflict.

“I realized there's a kind of joy which is possible only after you've been profoundly depressed.”
— Andrew Solomon [17:00]

Final Thoughts

Andrew Solomon's narrative in "A Time of Hope" intricately weaves themes of resilience, cultural preservation, and the transformative power of art. His experiences in Afghanistan underscore the indomitable human spirit striving to reclaim and celebrate its creative legacy despite oppressive challenges.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andrew Solomon [01:30]: “A lot of my work is about resilience. ... I was fascinated to think about a place where there was no art, and under the Taliban in Afghanistan there was no art at all.”

• UN Representative [03:00]: “There are no artists in Afghanistan. ... there are no poets in Afghanistan.”

• Andrew Solomon [07:45]: “He carried his bucket and he dipped his piece of cloth in, and he began to rub the surface of one of the paintings. And suddenly everything began to appear...”

• Persian Miniature Painter [09:30]: “For those of us in Afghanistan whose past has been very nearly annihilated, we have to secure the past before we can even begin to think about the future.”

• Woman Poet [12:15]: “I'm wearing it because they might come back to power, and if they do, they'll punish anyone who went out without one.”

• Female Poet [14:00]: “I always thought if the Taliban fell, I would burn this thing and I would never put it on again. But... after five years, you get used to being invisible...”

• Afghan Singer [15:30]: “At the beginning, I thought I would go crazy. ... there was a kind of music that even the Taliban couldn't forbid.”

• Andrew Solomon [17:00]: “I realized there's a kind of joy which is possible only after you've been profoundly depressed.”

This comprehensive summary encapsulates Andrew Solomon's evocative storytelling about the revival of art in Afghanistan, highlighting the resilience of its people and the enduring power of cultural expression in the face of adversity.