Event overview
Launch event of this British Library collection, featuring guest speakers and live music, performed by John Baily, Veronica Doubleday and Sulaiman Haqpana
The British Library has digitised and made available the 'John Baily and Veronica Doubleday Collection', which features a significant archive of music recorded in Herat in the 1970s. This launch event and performance highlights the rich musical heritage of Afghanistan.
With the current Taliban ban on music, these historic recordings are of great interest to many people around the world, especially Afghans, and an associated YouTube channel is now uploading materials from the archive.
With guest speakers:
Prof John Baily and Veronica Doubleday (Goldsmiths)
Michele Banal (British Library)
Jim Hickson (University of Oxford)
Dr Sulaiman Haqpana (Goldsmiths)
Plus live music performed by
John Baily, dutar (long-necked lute)
Veronica Doubleday, vocal and daireh (frame drum)
Sulaiman Haqpana, tabla (drums)
Image: John Baily and Veronica Doubleday in Herat, 1977
Free event, open to all, 6pm-8pm (doors 5.30 pm) please book on Eventbrite
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Nov 2026 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm |
Accessibility
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