Afghan refugee shares his story at 2025 All Culture Fest

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The Murray Bridge Performing Arts and Function Centre has come alive with laughter, colour and music at this year’s All Culture Festival.

The crowd was captivated by guest speaker Erfanuallah Abidi, a political refugee from war-torn Afghanistan, on June 20.

With quiet strength, he shared a history that few in the audience had heard before.

He spoke of a time in the 1990s when Afghanistan had King Alamullah and a queen, and how, even earlier in 1930, the country had had its own free-spirited marching bands.

“In the 60s and the 70s women wore skirts and could safety roam freely through their villages,” Mr Abidi said.

“And Afghan women studied alongside men in universities.

“When the Taliban took over in 1996, music was banned and women were silenced – life changed forever.”

Fortunately, in 2001, Mr Abidi’s life took a turn for the better: he was appointed a cultural advisor to Australia and the United States.

Eventually, after a great deal of heartache, he was able to catch a refugee plane out of Afghanistan.

Seeking safety and asylum, his journey led him to Australia and eventually to Adelaide.

The hall filled with applause as Mr Abidi finished his address.

It was clear that the All Culture Festival wasn’t just about cultures; it was about resilience, memory and hope.

Many people attending the event were there to become Australian citizens, to celebrate and publicly declare their loyalty to their new home and its people.

There were performing artists and cultural dancing, and plenty of delicious international dishes to sample.

The event was once again a wonderful celebration of humanity in the tight and resilient Murraylands.