Beyond Skin release ‘Afghan Girl’: a story of resilience and artistic freedom
Northern Ireland music organisation Beyond Skin have recently released the Afghan Girl EP, a powerful musical collaboration between Afghan refugee Zarifa Asghari and Irish artist Eva Kearney.
Recorded at Real World Studios, this debut EP features three evocative tracks that highlight the resilience and creativity of Afghan. The project was supported by the WOMAD Foundation and the Bernard Neville Family Estate Fund.
Zarifa, who fled Afghanistan due to oppressive regimes banning music and artistic expression, found her voice through a songwriting project facilitated by Beyond Skin, WOMAD Foundation, and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Her first composition, ‘Afghan Girl’, was brought to life with Eva’s melody and vocals, creating a poignant anthem of hope and resistance.
The EP was produced by Mark Smulian. It was released on August 15, 2025, marking the fourth anniversary of the fall of Kabul. The WOMAD Foundation is honored to support this project, which underscores the transformative power of music and the importance of artistic freedom.
The Afghan Girl EP is now available for streaming and download on Bandcamp. For more information, visit beyondskin.net.
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By Oran Mullan
Main image: Zarifa Asghari at Real World Studios. Photo credit: York Tillyer.
