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From Humaira Ghilzai
Cultural Advisor and Dialect Coach

As an Afghan Cultural Advisor, I’ve been honored to contribute to The Kite Runner, a story that resonates deeply, especially in today’s Afghanistan. Witnessing Afghan women’s rights stripped away by the Taliban is heartbreaking, but despite facing immense adversity and human rights violations, the resilience of Afghan people inspires me. My journey with this production began when Khaled Hosseini introduced me to Matthew back in 2008. Having collaborated with Matthew for so long, this project feels like a personal journey for me. My own family’s experience mirrors that of Baba in The Kite Runner—we fled Afghanistan in the wake of the Russian invasion, leaving behind everything we knew to become refugees in Northern California. Like Amir, I’ve learned to straddle two cultures and struggled with my belonging. In our production, we’ve strived for authenticity, showcasing the beauty of Afghan customs such as the kite tournament, the nikah ceremony and my personal favorite, the Afghan national dance, attan. In this production, every detail has been meticulously crafted to reflect our culture accurately. It’s with great pride that we bring our Broadway production to audiences across the United States. Khosh amadade!