We run kite making workshops in festivals and events. We don't charge participants a fee but donations are welcome to cover the cost of materials, parts, fixings, tools and transportation. Any profit from the event will be spent to help the poorest in AfghanistanKites are made of simplest of tools and material. Its simply stalks of bamboo and sheets of tissue paper using scissors to cut and trim the bamboo into flexible spars for the frames; decorate the tissue paper; and a bowl of glue to put it all together. Kite flying is a craft part science and part art. The key to excellence depends on a combination of factors, both empirical and ineffable: the flexibility and balance of the kites' frames, the structure and robustness of kite skin, the quality of the string, the shape and angle of the spars, the bridling and balance of shape, but most importantly the passion of the fliers to feel the wind and to the vicissitudes of the wind.
The art of kite flying is one whose roots extend back to the ancient times. Kite running is a past time in many cultures. I grew up in Kabul where the art is practiced by an array of all ages. The skies above Kabul are decorated each day with colourful kites fluttering in the wind. The joy of kite flying has left me with vivid memories of running in the dusty streets leaping on the roof tops with other boys while trying to hide from the scorching sun of Kabul. Come along, I cannot promise the sun or roof bouncing but lets have a try at having fun.
