“A landscape might be denuded,
a human settlement abandoned or lost,
but always, just beneath the ground
lies history of preposterous grandeur. . .
They are everywhere, these individuals
of undaunted humankind,
irrepressibly optimistic and proud.”
– The Carpet Wars, Christopher Kremmer
“Every street of Kabul is enthralling to the eye
Through the bazaars, caravans of Egypt pass
One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs
And the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.”
-Saeb-e-Tabrizik
Translation by Josephine Davis
“If my heart trembles
for Kabul,
it’s for the slow step of summer noons,
siestas in my father’s house which,
heavy with mid-day sleep,
still weighs on my ribs…
It’s for the hawker’s cry
of the vegetable seller doing his rounds,
lost in my neighbors’ troubled dreams,
that my heart’s trembling.“
– Shakila Azizzda
“Yet even at their most turbulent, the Afghans have tended to impress travelers with their dignity and hospitality as much as their fierce independence.”
-William Dalrymple, author of Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan 1839–42
“God must have loved Afghans because he made them so beautiful.”
-Unknown
“In Afghanistan, you don’t understand yourself
solely as an individual.
You understand yourself as a son, a brother, a cousin to somebody, an uncle to somebody.
You are part of something bigger than yourself.“
– Khaled Hosseini
—
We invite you to check out Steve’s current and upcoming exhibitions:
Steve McCurry: Icons – Conegliano
October 6 – March 2, 2022
Conegliano, Italy
more information
Steve McCurry: Icons – Madrid
November 17 – February 13, 2022
Madrid, Spain
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The Eyes of Humanity
November 19 – March 27, 2022
Vienne, Austria
more information
Animals
November 27 – May 1, 2022
Torino, Italy
Purchase your ticket here
Le Monde De Steve McCurry
December 9 – May 29, 2022
Paris, France
more information
Steve McCurry Curated 
22 replies on “Colors of Afghanistan”
Hauntingly beautiful
I have admired your work for years. No matter the subject or location it is inspiring and awesome. Thanks for bringing the world you see to us.
Thank you for sharing their story with empathy.
Excellent, humane images of a tragic land
So amazing, so fantastic how you capture a place and it’s people. I am in awe, once again.
This is one of the most mystical, humane and phenomenal posts so far. I am a daily user of this website and Sir McCurry is one of the most beautiful human beings in the world. Only if we saw the beauty just as he portrays it, we could create peace. I am simply in awe. Being just 15 I don’t have any experiences of my own but Afghanistan I believe is a land of storytelling, chroniclers, magicians and lucidity. Sir McCuray’s work will show the world that a picture speaks a million sentences, and expressions which war can never defeat. Thank you so much for your work and contribution, just know you have a little supporter somewhere out there. Thank you again. Regards
On Sat, Jan 8, 2022 at 1:07 AM Steve McCurry Curated wrote:
> Steve McCurry posted: ” Herat, Afghanistan “A landscape might be denuded,a > human settlement abandoned or lost,but always, just beneath the groundlies > history of preposterous grandeur. . .They are everywhere, these > individualsof undaunted humankind,irrepressibly optimist” >
Wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing your art!
Visione del mondo totalmente unica! Un talento innato!! 👏👏
As always your body of work is of utmost inspiration for so many photographers. Your images make us curious to know the story and meet the human beings behind the faces.
You always get it so perfect with the light that I know you are a true light reader; I mean, look at photo again with the steam & men washing the sheets outside the shop; or the ones with the taken pretwilight naked bulbs yet either is over or under exposed… the hit or Miss with your shots must be so thrilling to negotiate!
So perfect. Thank you for sharing such beauties!
Mind blowing images… the eternal beauties.
Mind blowing images… as ever from you
Striking images, Steve. The intimacy in your portraits is always astonishing. Thank you.
So mystical.
Just Wow sir
You are legend
Beautiful…
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Simply awesome phjotography!! ,, ““A landscape might be denuded,
a human settlement abandoned or lost, but always, just beneath the ground lies history of preposterous grandeur . . . They are everywhere, these individuals of undaunted humankind, irrepressibly optimistic and proud.” – The Carpet Wars, Christopher Kremmer.
I never know quite what to say when I view your photos, except that they make me want to talk with those who appear in them and ask, “Who are you? What is your story? I’d like to listen.”
The most beautiful country for Afghans🇦🇫❤️
Amazing colours!
Steve McCurry’s photography has been an inspiration to myself and countless photographers the world around. His iconic photos are truly the work of a caring individual who wants to bring light to world.
Excellent pictures, Dear. Thanks for sharing!
-Digwas (Sent from my mobile device)
On Sat, 8 Jan 2022, 1:06 am Steve McCurry Curated, wrote:
> Steve McCurry posted: ” Herat, Afghanistan “A landscape might be denuded,a > human settlement abandoned or lost,but always, just beneath the groundlies > history of preposterous grandeur. . .They are everywhere, these > individualsof undaunted humankind,irrepressibly optimist” >