Photos — Meena Karimi

The Roger E. and Mary Jane Jacobi Citizenship Award 2024.

Final speech as the president of the student body at Interlochen Arts Academy 2024.

When I picture Afghanistan:

Collaboration with Interlochen Arts Academy students for MUKTI performance.

2023 - New York City - David Geffen Hall

Media and Interviews

Click the picture for the interviews

VII Foundation's exhibition "Imagine: Reflections on Peace"

Financial Times:
How the 20-year war changed Afghanistan | FT Film — Financial Times: How the 20-year war changed Afghanistan | FT Film

NBC interview with Richard Engel:
As the U.S. withdraws, the future of Afghan women and girls hangs in the balance — NBC interview with Richard Engel: As the U.S. withdraws, the future of Afghan women and girls hangs in the balance

A Wish for Afghanistan with Lyse Doucet,
Episode Eight: The Musicians — A Wish for Afghanistan with Lyse Doucet, Episode Eight: The Musicians

Composition by Arts Academy student Meena Karimi to be performed by the Chineke! Orchestra at London’s Southbank Centre

Music : “Dawn”

“The reason why I left my song ["Dawn"] incomplete is that I wanted to tell the truth. The truth is the unfinished struggle of women. I will complete this song when all Afghan women have achieved their dreams and rights.”

— Meena Karimi

About Dawn: composition for cello and orchestra

“Dawn” was composed by Meena Karimi and orchestrated by Arson Fahim. This is her first piece for cello and orchestra and it was premiered in 2021. The piece portrays the pains, dreams, hopes, and struggles faced by women and girls in Afghanistan today—and ends on an unresolved chord, to symbolize the many challenges still faced by Meena’s generation.

During her speech at an event honoring International Women’s Day, Ms. Karimi stated: "The reason why I left my song incomplete is that I wanted to tell the truth. The truth is the unfinished struggle of women. I will complete this song when all Afghan women have achieved their dreams and rights."

“Dawn” has been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra of Afghanistan and the international premiere was performed by the Chineke! Orchestra at the Southbank Centre in London, UK.