Hundreds of people gathered at a kite flying festival on Hampstead Heath to mark a year since the Taliban took over in Afghanistan.

Elham Ehsas, an organizer of the London event, with 16 others also held around Europe, said that flying kites was symbolic as while life regularly changes in Afghanistan, the sky remains the same. Kite flying has also previously been banned by the Taliban.  

The "Fly with Me" festival was arranged by the Good Chance Theatre and featured Afghan kite flying, storytelling, music and dance on Saturday.

READ MORE

UK woman's search for Chinese father

Europe's cost-of-living crisis

Meet Ukraine's sappers

Ehsas, the Afghan born actor who starred in the film adaptation of the award-winning novel "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini, spoke to CGTN about the cultural significance of kite flying for Afghanistan.

"During my lifetime, my country's colors have been painted, wiped, repainted then wiped again 15 times," he said. 

"But we have always flown kites. The colors change but our skies are the same."

"Fly with Me" events took place across various locations in the UK and Europe to celebrate the ancient craft and show solidarity with the people of Afghanistan. 

The artform, alongside music, theater and dance were previously banned by the Taliban during their previous occupation of the country in the 1990s.

Afghanistan is now experiencing one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in the world. 

The UNICEF World Food Program reports more than 23 million people – over half the population – face acute hunger.

As the UK shifts its focus elsewhere in response to the conflict in Ukraine, the government has cut the number of Afghan refugees allowed into the UK. 

Organizers at the event in London said they want the UK Government to treat all people seeking asylum fairly and equally.