Across continents and time zones, Hazara communities around the world gathered on May 19 to celebrate Hazara Culture Day, a day dedicated to honoring the rich heritage, resilience, and diversity of the Hazara people.
Observed annually, the day offers an opportunity for the Hazara community to proudly showcase its unique traditions, history, and cultural expressions. From traditional music and dance to vibrant attire and storytelling, the celebration has evolved into a significant and culturally rich occasion infused with pride.
Hazara Culture Day enables the community to reflect on and showcase its heritage through traditional costumes, poetry, oral narratives, and the soulful sound of the dambura. It is a day to honor not just the past but the enduring spirit that has carried the Hazara people forward.
The occasion also serves as a platform for solidarity. Non-Hazara allies around the world joined in to express support and admiration for the community, especially in recognition of its history of persecution and marginalization in Afghanistan.
Events across cities featured performances of traditional music, folk dances, and storytelling, alongside displays of Hazaragi handicrafts and cuisine. The smell of ashak and mantoo filled community centers, while poetry readings and art exhibitions offered insight into a culture shaped by history and resilience.
In recent years, Hazara Culture Day has evolved into a global celebration. From Afghanistan and Pakistan to Australia, Europe, and North America, it has become not only a tribute to cultural heritage but also a reaffirmation of identity, unity, and progress.
Instead of dwelling on past traumas, the Hazara community used the day to highlight the hard-earned achievements that have emerged from decades of adversity. Across the globe, cultural festivals reflected a rich tapestry of arts, literature, food, and storytelling.
Musicians strummed the dambura, singers lifted their voices in traditional ballads, and dancers moved with grace in performances that connected ancient traditions to a modern spirit. Hazara men and women, young and old, stepped forward not merely as spectators but as vibrant custodians of their cultural legacy.
“We’re not just preserving our culture—we are living it,” said Zahra Ali, an event organizer in London. “Today, we do not boast about what we once had and lost. We speak proudly of what we’ve rebuilt and accomplished—with grit and grace.”
Long one of Afghanistan’s most marginalized ethnic groups, the Hazaras have endured systemic oppression, displacement, and violence. Yet in recent decades, they have emerged as one of the most dynamic and progressive communities in the country, excelling in education, arts, activism, and civil society.
“Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the Hazara people have reclaimed their story,” said Sattar Saeedi, a writer and cultural reporter, at the London event. “This celebration is not just a date on the calendar—it’s a declaration: we are here, and we are thriving.”
Each performance, dish, and handcrafted artifact told a story of endurance, empathy, and hope. As the day unfolded, it became not only a joyful occasion but also a call to action—to preserve and pass forward this living legacy.
“This is a living treasure,” said Saleha Soadat, a journalist in Washington, D.C. “We must hold it together, protect it, and celebrate it—not just for ourselves, but for future generations.”
As music echoed into the night and families gathered in joyful conversation, one message rang clear: Hazara culture is not just surviving—it is thriving. It stands as a testament to brilliance, resilience, and pride that transcends borders and time.
