In Toulouse, a kite master brings global traditions to life

At the Foire Internationale de Toulouse, visitors expect innovation, business, and international exhibitions. But this year, something unexpected is drawing attention skyward: kites.

At the center of this experience is Nasser Omar, a man whose life story reflects both tradition and global cultural exchange.

Hosted at the MEETT, his exhibition transforms a simple object into a powerful symbol of heritage, competition, and imagination.

A childhood rooted in Afghan tradition

In Afghanistan, kite flying is more than a hobby — it is a national passion.

Kite fighting, in particular, is a dramatic and highly competitive activity. Strings are coated with crushed glass and resin to cut opponents’ lines.

“It’s simple: you cut the other kite’s string,” explains Nasser. The fallen kite becomes the prize.

From tradition to international recognition

Since moving to France in the 1980s, Nasser Omar has dedicated his life to preserving and sharing this tradition.

He founded a museum, developed educational workshops, and built a business around kite-making and training.

A global exhibition

In Toulouse, his exhibition showcases kites from around the world.

In Japan, massive kites require dozens of people. In Thailand, gendered kites compete. In Latin America, blades are sometimes attached.

Each variation reflects cultural identity and creativity.

Education and transmission

More than one million kites have been made in schools through his programs.

His work combines education, art, and cultural preservation.

A record and a mission

In 1992, he set a record with a 13-kilometer kite string.

Today, his mission is different: to inspire.

In a fast-paced digital world, Nasser Volant offers something rare: a return to simplicity, imagination, and shared human experience.

At Toulouse, the sky becomes a canvas — and the kite, a universal language.

©2026 – IMPACT EUROPEAN

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