1 April 2010 - The traditional annual “Narinj Gul” or Orange Blossom Festival has been marked in Jalalabad today.

More than ten thousand people joined the event which has celebrated Afghan poetry and writing for more than 60 years.

Local and Kabul officials, representatives from UNAMA, writers, intellectuals and poets from around Afghanistan, as well as Pashtoon poets from across the border in Pakistan from the newly named Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, the former North West Frontier Province, joined the event.

The tradition of this annual cultural event is for renowned writers and poets to recite poems, reflecting various aspects of Afghan society.

“Every year, as spring arrives, Narinj Gul, attracts thousands of people from across the country as well as from Lower Pakhtoonkhwa – that side of the southern Afghan border and abroad,” said Awrang Sameem, the Director of Culture and Information for Nangarhar province and one of organizers of the festival.

About forty poets from different from Afghanistan and Pakistan recited their poetry at the festival.

In their poems, many of the poets were critical of today’s social ills particularly focusing on the youth and their responsibilities while some criticized administrative corruption, inefficient development efforts, lack of incompetent Government officials, civilian casualties and other issues.

By Shafiqullah Waak, UNAMA