Marjan, le dernier lion d'Afghanistan

A funny and poetic tale, from the true story of the lion Marjan, symbol of the courage of the Afghan people.

Marjan the lion was famous resident of the Kabul zoo and a symbol of the suffering of the Afghan people during the soviet occupation, civil war and Taliban rule. His story is an allegory for the tragic fate of Afghanistan itself. This serious topic is here presented to children through the softening lens of puppetry.
In our story, Sher Agha, an old man, guardian at the Kabul zoo, protector of animals, finds himself at the Charles de Gaulle airport in France in August, 2021. He has been evacuated along with two puppeteers, Abdul Haq and Farhad. Sher Agha confides in the two young men. He deplores the return of the Taliban and tells the story of Marjan the Lion, witness to the country’s successive upheavals and paragon of bravery and rectitude. The airport gives way to the Kabul zoo and Sher Agha gives voice to the animals.

A FABLE BASED ON A TRUE STORY
Marjan, the last lion of Afghanistan, is the story of the most resilient, loving and no doubt the most famous lion in the world. He lived twice as long as most lions of his kind and his life illustrates the country’s recent upheavals.
The young lion was two years old when he arrived in Kabul in 1978. Born in the Cologne zoo, he was donated to Afghanistan by Germany. His carers adopted him and named him Marjan (coral in Farsi) because he was a unique symbol of majesty. The Kabul zoo was then home to 417 animals and was one of the most beautiful zoos in the region, an oasis of abundance and peace in the heart of the city, where rare species received particular care. Admired by all, Marjan grew into a magnificent, strong, loyal, just and kind lion. Marjan lived a peaceful life with his lioness Chucha, and his carer, the guardian Sher Agha.
But soon, in 1979, Afghanistan descended into one of the longest periods of war in the modern world and the Kabul zoo suffered the consequences of human folly. In 1993, he was blinded by a grenade explosion. He suffered famine, injustice, insult and humiliation and yet never lowered himself to unjustified violence.
Here, his moving story of love and courage is told to children and their families with humour and poetry.