Fajr Music Festival brings global performers

Tehran has been hosting the 40th International Fajr Music Festival, beginning Tuesday afternoon.

The week-long event will feature performances from six international musicians and bands at Vahdat Hall, according to IRNA.

Artists and groups from Turkey, Spain, India, the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Armenia are scheduled to participate.

On February 12, Turkish cellist Jamal Aliyev and pianist Ece Dağıstan will take the stage, followed by Spanish flamenco guitarists Daniel Casares and Antonio Maldonado.

Indian musicians Pavan Shrikant Naik, Ram Deshpande, Vivek Samuel, and Amano Manish will perform on February 13 and 14.

The Netherlands’ Afro Anatolian Tales and Iran’s Nushe Band will share the spotlight on February 15.

Afro Anatolian Tales consists of Sjahin During, Bram Stadshouders, and Hungarian musician Bence Huszar, while the Iranian Nushe Band features Niyousha Barimani, Rokhsareh Rostami, Niloufar Ebrahimi, Donya Fathi, Azin Malekzadeh, and Setareh Hatef.

Also on February 15, Armenian artist Levon Tevanyan will perform, and the festival’s final international act will be Tunisian kanun player Farah Fersi on February 16.

The kanun is a traditional Middle Eastern string instrument widely played in Iran, the Arab world, and North Africa.

Organized by the Deputy of Artistic Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, along with the Music Office, Iran Music Association, and Roudaki Foundation, the festival aims to promote Iranian music, nurture emerging talent, and preserve national identity.

Beyond international artists, the festival will also feature 100 Iranian bands and more than 1,400 musicians.

Running from February 11 to 17, it will include both competitive and non-competitive performances.