cristina de middel

The Kabuler



One-off magazine entitled ‘The Kabuler’ by Magnum photographers  Cristina de Middel and Lorenzo Meloni. Accompanied by essays, interviews, and stories, The Kabuler presents a nuanced image of Afghanistan, in which they have not shied away from light-hearted subjects and humour.

How do you photograph one of the world’s most documented regions of the past twenty years? This is what Cristina de Middel (b. 1975) and Lorenzo Meloni (b. 1983) asked themselves when they travelled to Afghanistan together. Previously, De Middel had been successful with her conceptual projects, while Meloni had visited many conflict zones as a war photographer.

The photos of De Middel and Meloni have now been published in the form of a magazine, The Kabuler, as a nod to American weekly magazines. It contains articles, interviews, and opinion pieces, but they have also made room for lighter topics and even humor. With this publication they hope to honour the multiplicity of voices within Afghan society and the country’s complicated history.

  • Year: 2023
  • Language: English
  • Pages: 128
  • Dimensions: 22 x 27,5 cm
  • Publisher: This Book is True

.

The Kabuler, 2022

Afghanistan
1/8


The Kabuler, 2022

Afghanistan
2/8


The Kabuler, 2022

Afghanistan
3/8


The Kabuler, 2022

Afghanistan
4/8


The Kabuler, 2022

Afghanistan
5/8


The Kabuler, 2022

Afghanistan
6/8


The Kabuler, 2022

Afghanistan
7/8


The Kabuler, 2022

Afghanistan
8/8


The Kabuler, 2022



Cristina De Middel and Lorenzo Meloni, both Magnum photographers, collaborated on “The Kabuler” to reframe narratives about the War in Afghanistan. During a 30-day trip in January 2022, they interviewed locals, politicians, and Taliban members to capture perspectives on the Taliban’s return to power. Combining documentary and conceptual approaches, they challenge readers to rethink the meaning of war, history, and national identity. The magazine seeks to overcome shallow media coverage by offering in-depth analysis and fostering critical engagement. Despite Afghanistan fading from headlines, the publication aims to provide enduring insight into the complexities of the conflict and Afghan society.

see More from the series

Receive unperiodic news and
unrelated GIFs + Newsletter