Former Afghan Minister Condemns Taliban’s Demolition of Ariana Cinema in Kabul
Abdul Karim Khorram, former Minister of Information and Culture during the Republic, has described the Taliban administration’s demolition of the historic Ariana Cinema in Kabul as the destruction of yet another significant historical and cultural symbol of the capital.
Khorram lamented that, with deep regret, the landmarks and buildings that narrate different periods of Afghan people’s lives are gradually disappearing one after another, replaced by tall commercial buildings rising in urban areas. He believes this trend is steadily undermining the historical identity of Kabul.
He emphasized that the Ariana Cinema was not merely a building but a part of Kabul’s cultural identity—a place linked for decades with the collective memories of its citizens and their cultural life.
According to Khorram, the lifespan of the Ariana Cinema surpassed that of some regional countries, whose visas Afghan citizens now struggle to obtain. This comparison, he said, highlights the extent of neglect toward the country’s historical heritage.
A few days ago, the Taliban administration demolished the Ariana Cinema building located on Pashtunistan Road near the Ministry of Finance in Kabul. Reports indicate plans to replace the historic structure with a commercial market.
The Ariana Cinema was built in 1963 and suffered damage during the civil wars but was restored in 2004 with the cooperation of French architects. For decades, it stood as one of Kabul’s key cultural centers, where thousands of residents watched world-famous films and created lasting memories.
Cultural activists regard the destruction of the Ariana Cinema as an irreparable loss for Afghanistan’s historical and cultural heritage. They critically view the Taliban administration’s approach toward cultural sites as a serious threat to the country’s historical identity.
