KABUL: Despite grinding poverty and more than three decades of war, a New York-based artist believes 10,000 pink balloons can help bring peace and happiness on the streets of Kabul.
Yazmany Arboleda has unleashed coloured balloons in India, Japan and Kenya.
“The actual date will be a surprise. Once people will wake up, they will see an explosion of colours,” he told reporters yesterday.
“In India, people thought it was a national day they didn’t know about. In Japan, some people thought we were selling balloons. In Kenya, some of them thought we were having a job fair.
“But when people realise that balloons are given away and that they don’t have to pay for it, they smile. The idea of this project is to bring simple happiness.”
The balloons each cost $1 and are bought by 10,000 donors online at www.webelieveinballoons.com who “represent 10,000 people who believe in culture and art and not war”, he said. AFP
