Malala Yousafzai reminisced on a sweet childhood memory after attending her first “proper” concert — Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.
The Pakistani education activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate shared photos from Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday night where she attended Swift's concert alongside her husband Asser Malik and friends. Posing in front of the massive crowd and signature stage, Malala fit right in with pink heart-shaped sunglasses and an arm decked out with friendship bracelets.
Under the carousel of photos shared on her Instagram, Malala wrote a sweet story about her childhood friend and the memory sparked by Swift's music. During a middle school field trip to Swat Valley in her native Pakistan, Malala wrote about going to a hidden waterfall with her best friend Moniba after “having lived through a time where music and art were banned.”
“Moniba and I found the highest rock we could, climbed on top of it and announced to all of our classmates and teachers we were going to perform our new favourite song called LOVE STORY,” she wrote. “That’s where my Swiftie journey began. It feels magical that my first-ever proper concert would be to see @TaylorSwift, singing along to every song surrounded by friends.”
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Malala was 11 years old when the Taliban took over her town and banned music, television, and girls from attending school — among other things. She became a global figure when she spoke out against them in 2012, advocating for women's and girls' right to education.
Continuing her advocacy even at the Eras Tour, Malala shared that the Taliban had regained control in Afghanistan. “Once again, music no longer plays on the streets, and girls and women are barred from school, work and public life.”
She continued: “In Swat, music made my friends and me feel confident and free. And one day I hope we will live in a world where every girl will be able to enjoy music and live out her wildest dreams.”
