Sparrows of Kabul
This extraordinary audio-visual song cycle is “a beautiful retelling of Australia’s Afghanistan experience”. Fred Smith was there at the beginning in Uruzgan Province and returned to work on the difficult evacuation from Kabul International Airport. His epitaph for the mission is “it was what it was”, and we are left admiring the courage of thousands of Afghans who braved the human logjams at the gates of Kabul Airport.
★★★★★ “Smith’s songs quietly work your emotions through his genuine empathy with the Afghan people”
John P. Harvey, BMA Magazine
“Finely observed snapshots of a harsh, sad and funny reality…balancing drama and humour…towering artistic achievement” John Shand, SMH
“…an extraordinary, wonderful and heart-uplifting concert.” Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle
Presented by: Fred Smith
“Fred Smith is simply the best folk/country musician working in this country…beyond writing some of the finest songs about Australians at war, he has created a repertoire that is wry, literate, witty, powerfully emotional and insightful.” (Bruce Elder, SMH). “Fred Smith is an Australian national treasure. Diplomat, philosopher, poet and raconteur, his songs reverberate with the prophetic voice of humanity.” (Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle) Supported by Australia’s most sensitive accompanists, Fred Smith offers performances rich in humour, narrative, and depth. His book, The Dust of Uruzgan, was described as “as convincing a picture as we will ever have of the tragedy, hope, oddness and courage of Australia’s Uruzgan enterprise…vibrant reportage from the heart of our longest war.”Suitability & warnings
Please note
This performance includes images and descriptions of the evacuation of Kabul airport. Afghan guests who have attended previous performances of these concerts have appreciated that the story is being told, but please consider whether this would be uncomfortable for you or family members.
Accessibility
- High audio content
- High visual content
- Suitable for audiences who may not have a comprehensive understanding of the English language
Presenter
Presented by: Fred Smith
“Fred Smith is simply the best folk/country musician working in this country…beyond writing some of the finest songs about Australians at war, he has created a repertoire that is wry, literate, witty, powerfully emotional and insightful.” (Bruce Elder, SMH). “Fred Smith is an Australian national treasure. Diplomat, philosopher, poet and raconteur, his songs reverberate with the prophetic voice of humanity.” (Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle) Supported by Australia’s most sensitive accompanists, Fred Smith offers performances rich in humour, narrative, and depth. His book, The Dust of Uruzgan, was described as “as convincing a picture as we will ever have of the tragedy, hope, oddness and courage of Australia’s Uruzgan enterprise…vibrant reportage from the heart of our longest war.”Social media
