Unlimited Tailor Artistry

Tailor Nourwais Ahmadi and his wedding dress creation. (Photo: Karen Bleken/ Maihaugen).“Life is such that wherever you live, there are upturns and downturns. You must just go on. That’s what this long trip has taught me.”

Nourwais Ahmadi was born Afghanistan. He lived in the north of the country in Mazar-e Sharif. Taliban controlled the town. Young men from this region had to run away if they didn’t want to side with them. Nourwais was one who ran. He came to Norway six years ago. Earlier he had traveled much through Europe and the Middle East.

Meeting with helpful and cheerful people made him choose to settle down in Norway. He came to Lillehammer in 2004.

Tailor Nourwais Ahmadi. (Photo: Karen Bleken/ Maihaugen).Nourwais learned the tailor trade in Afghanistan and worked as a tailor in Iran, Turkey, and Greece giving him many years of experience in the field. He wanted to have his own shop in Lillehammer, but at the start it was difficult for him. Nourwais went to a Norwegian language course, rented a little work place and worked hard. Now he has a large shop in the center of town. He sews wedding gowns, company uniforms, traditional Norwegian bunads, as well as ordinary clothes.

Nourwais is very satisfied with his life. He feels he has achieved much over the past six years. Customers from the whole area who want special items unavailable elsewhere come to his shop.

Every day he works in the shop, but in the afternoon he’s together with the family and his friends. He wants his children to grow up in Norway, but also wants them to know Afghani language and culture.

“Nationality and religion play no role if someone knows what they want out of life.”

Listen to his account: