STORY: Afghan female painters showcase ability, creativity at art exhibition
SHOOTING TIME: March 20, 2024
DATELINE: March 29, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:26
LOCATION: Kabul
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Kabul
2. various of a painting exhibition in Kabul
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): ZARMINA KHATIRZAI, Afghan painter
4. various of a painting exhibition in Kabul
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): ZARMINA KHATIRZAI, Afghan painter
6. various of a painting exhibition in Kabul
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): ALINA MIRZAD, Afghan painter
8. various of a painting exhibition in Kabul

STORYLINE:

Afghan female painter Zarmina Khatirzai said holding a tableau exhibition in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul was part of her efforts to bring smiles to the faces of her fellow Afghans.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): ZARMINA KHATIRZAI, Afghan painter 
"The name of the exhibition is titled 'Labkhand,' which means smile, and we bring smiles to the faces of the people. We want to display the smiles of Afghans and the beautiful face of Afghanistan to the world via the art exhibition."
   
A former college student and currently a painter by profession, Khatirzai said that she now provides training to about 40 girls.
   
The war-ravaged and economically impoverished Afghanistan, according to the annual UN-sponsored World Happiness Report released recently, is the unhappiest country in the world.
   
The nation is still striving to overcome poverty and unemployment after the collapse of the U.S.-backed administration in August 2021.

As art-related activities are more scarcely seen in the country than before, locals said the exhibition matters much to them, especially the younger generation.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): ZARMINA KHATIRZAI, Afghan painter 
"Art as part of the culture of a country is very important. Whenever we introduce a country, we often speak of its art and culture."
   
Alina Mirzad, another female painter, believes that the promotion of fine arts and painting by Afghan girls could bolster women's role in society.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): ALINA MIRZAD, Afghan painter
"Girls would progress. Both girls and boys and all artists in general, would progress by promotion of arts and their role would be enhanced.
I want to continue in the art field, paint beautiful pictures, and get scholarships in the field to become a popular painter."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kabul.
(XHTV)