THE KITE RUNNER + Afghan Cuisine & Film Discussion

In partnership with The Brattleboro Literary Festival and Brooks Memorial Library, Epsilon Spires continues our series showcasing film adaptations of banned books. Popcorn and refreshments provided! Doors 5pm. Film begins at 5:15. Dinner begins at 7:30pm. Bring your Library Card or a copy of the book to the box office for Free Admission to the film! 

Khalad Hosseini’s The Kite Runner has joined a growing list of titles ‘under review’ or challenged by school boards, with nearly 5,894 books banned from July 2021 to June 2023. Hosseini’s novel, which tells the story of a young boy growing up in 1970s Kabul, spent two years on the New York Times bestseller list before selling over 8m copies worldwide. Set against the backdrop of war-torn Afghanistan, it delves into complex themes like friendship, betrayal and familial tension. The film and book will be introduced by curator Abdullah Hafizi and members of the artist collective, The Artlords. This event is supported in part by the

Vermont Humanities.

“It’s vital living in a democracy that students are exposed to ideas, are allowed to think critically and can hear voices that aren’t their own. They should learn they will share the world with people who don’t look like them and sound like them. Books are a wonderful conduit for that.”-Khalad Hosseini interview in The Guardian

After the film, enjoy extraordinary Afghan cuisine created by Shaima Aslami Hussain Zada, the culinary star behind TAZA Afghan Breads and Catering! (Tickets are required for the dinner). Shaima is a longtime cook who spent most of her life in Afghanistan, and in 2022, she moved to Brattleboro with two of her five sons.

Dinner will include:

—Kabuli Pulao (rice, carrot, raisins) with beef

—Chicken Korma

—Vegetable Korma

—Rice

—Vegetable Sambusa (savory pastry)

—Afghan salad (lettuce with tomato, cucumber, spices, lemon)

Curator Bio:

Abdullah Hafizi is an artist and IT professional dedicated to fostering social and psychological change through his creative endeavors. Originally from Afghanistan, he utilizes his artistic talents to convey messages of hope and resilience, particularly in the face of adversity. As a former member of the artist collective Artlords, Abdullah worked collaboratively to create impactful murals that provoke thought and inspire positive transformation within communities. "I use art to express myself and self-reflect and bring out my imaginations to reality," Abdullah notes, highlighting his personal connection to his creative process. Since relocating to Brattleboro, Vermont, he continues to collaborate with local artists, leveraging his diverse skill set to promote healing and empowerment on both a local and global scale. With a deep understanding of the intersection between art and social change, Abdullah remains committed to using his talents to facilitate meaningful social and psychological shifts in society.