The Little Book of Kabul

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The Little Book of Kabul is a book project that depicts a portrait of Kabul through the daily activities of a number of artists who live in the city.

The book is a collaboration between photographer Lorenzo Tugnoli and writer Francesca Recchia.

The Little Book of Kabul dives into the lives of the three main characters exploring what it means to be an artist in Kabul and hence unveiling the beauty and brutality of the city.

The research for The Little Book of Kabul began in 2011 with an eye towards the future. With 2014 still looming far, concerns of what would become of the country after the scheduled drawdown of the international forces and the national elections were already on the minds of many. Political instability, combined with the pervasive presence of development agencies and the constant flux of aid money, fostered a widespread and dangerous dependency mentality that left the issue of long-term sustainability open. However low on the priority list of political agendas, cultural production has not been exempt from such dynamics.

We looked for people who were interested in a dialogue within and outside the country, but would not entirely rely on external support to do art; for people who would make of the creative drive the main motivation of their daily practices.

Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2013:
Young Afghan skateboarders enjoy a moment of freedom during the Sound Central Festival held in Kabul in spring 2013.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, December 2012:
Kabul Dreams play during the shooting of the official video for their song Good morning freedom.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, April 2013:
A view of Kabul from the ruins of Darulaman Palace.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, March 2013:
Hamed Hassanzada paints in his bedroom-studio in western Kabul.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, March 2013:
Men gather to pray after the weekly session of the Pashto Poetry Society in Kabul.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, December 2012:
Arifa, a student at the Center for Contemporary Arts Afghanistan, poses for one of her colleagues’ art work.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, March 2013:
A view of Kabul from the ruins of Darulaman Palace.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, March 2013:
An actress runs in the ruins of Darulaman Palace during the shooting of a music video by Jump Cut, a Kabul-based video collective of actors and film makers.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, November 2012:
Siddique Ahmed, Kabul Dreams’ bass player, talks to Sanam Sadaat in the studio at The Venue during a recording session of the band’s first album Plastic Words.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, December 2012:
Students work in the studio gallery of the Center for Contemporary Arts Afghanistan.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, February 2013:
Kabul street view on a rainy winter day.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, Febbruary 2013:
Two students discuss about their artworks at the Center for Contemporary Arts Afghanistan.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, March 2013:
Two actors of the Afghanistan National Theater on stage during the rehearsals of a play.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.
Kabul, Afghanistan, Febbruary 2013:
Children climb trees in the courtyard of the center of the Mobile Mini Circus for Children.

This series of images is part of "The Little Book of Kabul". The project was shoot in 2012 and 2013 and was published as a book in 2014.