Local sources say that the annual Gul-e Anab poetry gathering in Farah Province was held under severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban.
Sources told the Hasht-e Subh Daily on Sunday, November 1, that the Taliban allow only poems that praise the group or encourage people to support its objectives to be recited.
The sources added that the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture’s monitoring committee reviews poets’ poems and literary writings before poetry gatherings are held.
According to the sources, the committee has banned the recitation of critical, romantic, and lyrical poems, particularly those about earthly love.
This comes as the Taliban have also developed specific guidelines for holding poetry gatherings in Afghanistan.
Previously, the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture had suspended cultural and literary poetry gatherings across Afghanistan.
According to the sources, poets are still permitted to compose and recite poems only in praise of the group.
Since retaking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed widespread restrictions on cultural and literary activities, particularly the work of poets and writers.
