Afghan wedding halls light up the dark Kabul nights

As the night settles over the capital of Afghanistan, only a few small lights and signs of neon pierce the darkness and thick blanket of winter pollution.

But at some corners of the street, glittering colossal wedding halls from darkness, a rare demonstration of luxury in the capital of Afghanistan.

The city with more than six million people often sinks into the shadow due to the ubiquitous power holiday, which only the richest can be corrected with expensive generators or solar panels.

In addition to some sellers, the roads are abandoned, a strong contrast with the chaotic noise of the day.

People flock to the house to resort from the cold and for the lack of night activities.

As the Taliban took power in 2021 and imposed their strict rules, a veil of sadness has surrounded the capital.

There is no music leaking from the restaurants because it is forbidden, women are banned by parks and walls decorated with colorful graffiti proceace have splashing with calls to the Holy War.

The only bright lights come from the wedding halls that carry the city center and escape the control of the Taliban, as the wedding is awarded to the culture of Afghanistan.

High ceiling halls are separated from sex, with music only tolerated by women.

“In Afghanistan, the wedding ceremony is the most important event for girls and boys. It’s a fact once in life-we don’t have a lot of divorce,” said Mohamad Wassil Qaumi, director of Imperial Continental, A Palatial White and Golden Room It shines with a glitz reminiscent of a Las Vegas casino.

“It’s the beginning of a new life so that the light is everywhere. So the city is bright. It should have a little luxury!” Said AFP.

‘Marriages are a necessity’

The bunches of plastic flowers, throne -type sofas, gold -plated lights and Neon lights fill the band’s four halls, some of which can accommodate up to 7,000 visitors.

Qaumi, 32, says he spends $ 25,000 to $ 30,000 a month on municipal electricity, which provides a few hours of power a day.

To keep the lights, it also pays a little under $ 15,000 for generators.

To restore its cost, it charges up to $ 20,000 for a marriage, in a country where 85% of the population lives in less than one dollar a day, according to the United Nations Development Program.

“Marriages are a necessity in Afghanistan culture, you have to invite more and more people,” even if it means to charge, said Haji Safiullah Esmafi, owner of The Stars Palace Hall.

In another area of ​​the capital, the city’s star welcomes its guests with a beige and golden facade that ends with three sculpture domes and a huge sparkling arch.

“Electricity is very expensive,” admits the owner, 24 -year -old Siyer Paiman.

But, he added, “people in Afghanistan like bright colors.”

‘Lightness of the City’

He has invested in solar collectors and spends the equivalent of $ 12,000 to $ 19,900 on generators and electricity, covering only six to seven hours a day “and not always at night”.

Afghanistan depends on the neighbors of Central Asia for imported electricity.

With hopes of increasing supply, the country is involved in several regional interconnection projects, but progress is slow.

“Current demand in Afghanistan is about 7,000 to 8,000 megawatts, but they currently produce about 1,000 megawatts locally and introduce the rest from Central Asia,” said an area expert who requested anonymity AFPAdding that renewable energy sources should be developed, but that funding is missing.

Power cuts also affect heating, with temperatures easily dropped below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

The inhabitants of Kabul use stoves, burning almost anything carbon and wood in plastic or household waste, creating a fog of pollution in the city we slip between the 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) above the sea level.

In night sadness, the wedding rooms are “the brightness of the city,” Qaumi said. “Here. Everyone is very happy.”

“People come here to meet friends and family, (they) wear new clothes, jewelry … they look so much,” he said of the patrons who enjoy one of the only places left in Kabul where it is still possible.