Top-tier world musicians to attend fajr music festival despite sanctions
In a recent press conference, the organizers of the 40th International Fajr Music Festival announced an exciting lineup of world-class musicians from countries including Turkey, the Netherlands, Spain, Tunisia, and Armenia, despite ongoing sanctions.
The conference was held at the Vahdat Hall with prominent figures in attendance, including Ahmad Sadri, head of the Music Office at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, festival secretary Reza Mahdavi, and executive secretary Mohammad Ali Mer’ati, Mehr News Agency reported.
Mer’ati discussed the festival’s international section, stating, “We are in a peculiar situation due to sanctions; however, we have successfully established connections with many artists.”
He expressed optimism about the participation of top-tier musicians, noting, “Fortunately, everyone we reached out to had no issues attending.”
Regarding ticket pricing, Mer’ati revealed that the festival’s total budget has increased by 40% from the previous year, amounting to approximately $217,000. “The final ticket prices will reflect the quality of the performances and will be announced by next week,” he added.
During the conference, Ahmad Sadri reflected on the significance of the festival’s 40th anniversary, describing the number as emblematic of abundance and excellence.
He expressed gratitude towards the presidents of the previous editions and emphasized the importance of continual improvement: “Despite many ups and downs over the years, the festival has matured, and we hope to advance its legacy.”
Sadri aimed to elevate the festival’s artistic quality, focusing on more serious musical presentations this year. He stated, “We want to concentrate on serious music as much as possible, inviting the relevant artists.”
Mahdavi emphasized the goal of enhancing the global presence of Iranian music. “The festival is recognized worldwide, and we hope to host the best international talents in the coming years,” he remarked, also noting the revival of sections dedicated to children, youth, and women in the festival.
Mahdavi talked about the potential inclusion of protest music, specifically rap, into the festival.
He articulated a desire to maintain artistic integrity while allowing for expression, stating, “While we want to engage with the youth’s passion, we will only accept those who align with Iranian culture.”
The festival will also see the removal of the choral section to avoid redundancy in programming, as well as plans to establish a permanent secretariat to streamline operations in future events.
The culmination of the 40th International Fajr Music Festival will be celebrated with a closing ceremony on February 17 at the Vahdat Hall.