Marseilles (AFP)

Two years ago, Marseille devoted an exhibition to contemporary artists from Afghanistan.

Today, some have found refuge in this Mediterranean city and want to continue creating, despite the nostalgia.

Camera in hand, Naseer Turkmani explores his new land of welcome.

This 31-year-old photographer is one of ten Afghan artists evacuated to France since the Taliban took power at the end of August.

"Everything went very quickly. For us artists, journalists, activists, government employees, it was too dangerous to stay," he told AFP.

After six days of waiting at the French Embassy in Kabul and several failures to flee with his family, Naseer manages to reach the airport.

His wife and son will not be able to accompany him.

"From morning until night, all we heard was screams and gunshots," he recounts in hesitant English.

"I never thought I would face such difficulties in my life," he says.

"Every day I speak with my wife and my son, they are worried and say to me + please do something for us, help us out of Afghanistan +".

"I learned that the Taliban had created a list of women whose husbands have fled, to note them as widows", worries Naseer, who ensures "to do all he can, with the help of the people here , to bring them in ".

Afghan photographer Naseer Turkmani in Marseille, October 13, 2021 Nicolas TUCAT AFP

Since his arrival, he has been hosted by the Iméra foundation of the University of Aix-Marseille, one of the cultural institutions that enabled Afghan artists to obtain their visa.

Passionate about fashion photography and visual art, he hopes to join the National School of Photography in Arles and "start from scratch": "I hope that many Afghans like me will leave Afghanistan, that they will work hard, try to study and come back (...) and help our compatriots ".

- "Resilient generation" -

Naseer belongs to this resilient generation which, "after the Western intervention in 2001, developed its artistic practice during the war, in a context of permanent insecurity, and began to create boldly", describes Guilda Chahverdi, ex-director of the French Institute in Kabul, at the origin of the mobilization for artists.

It was she who had set up "Kharmora, Afghanistan at the risk of art", a unique exhibition which brought together at the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (Mucem) artists brimming with creativity, despite the war. and the attacks.

But with the coming to power of the Taliban, who notably banned music during their first reign, between 1996 and 2001, the life of creators has become impossible.

"It was essential to welcome them, to save their lives, but also to give them the possibility of continuing to create", underlines Guilda Chahverdi, who hopes to exfiltrate other threatened artists.

Faces closed, Kaveh and Fatemah struggle to find the words to define their state of mind.

For this couple, who fled a day before the capture of Kabul, "nostalgia" dominates.

Afghan artist Kaveh in Marseille, October 13, 2021 Nicolas TUCAT AFP

"I had to leave all my things there. I could not take any of my puppets. A wave of depression overwhelmed me, everything collapsed, it was horrible", summarizes Fatemah.

- "Always sad inside me" -

Beside him, Kaveh, 40, author, screenwriter and director Hazara, a persecuted minority, spent his childhood exiled in Iran to flee the war.

Returning to Afghanistan in 2008, he puts on a show with drug addicts in withdrawal, develops urban performances to pay tribute to the victims of attacks.

Today, in France, he regrets having become "a simple migrant" again.

With Fatemah, far from their studio facing the Afghan mountains, they try to start a new life at the Villa des Authors, a former country house intended to welcome artists.

In mid-September, they were invited to Charleville-Mézières (north), to the world puppet festival, their favorite means of expression.

"The streets were filled with theatrical stages. All my life I had this hope of seeing an event like that. It was almost enjoyable, I was really happy, but still very sad inside of me," says Fatemah.

"I couldn't help but think of those who are still there. But, what can I do except cry?"

Threatened for his art and his militant commitment, Kaveh wants "to be able to continue his activities here, to have influence on the new generation. Because the more young people are made aware of art, the less power the Taliban will have over them".

Afghan artist Kaveh in Marseille, October 13, 2021 Nicolas TUCAT AFP

"But as foreign artists, is French society ready to accept us?" Asks Fatemah.

"Will France help us? Not only with an allowance to survive, but also to make a place for us in the artistic field?"

One of his hopes?

May an exhibition shine a new light on contemporary Afghan art, enriched with new disillusions and new exiles, but also new dreams.

© 2021 AFP