Tehran, Iran– A planned concert by renowned Iranian singer Homayoun Shajarian at Tehran’s iconic Azadi Tower has been cancelled, sparking heated debates about the government’s intentions and the role of music in Iranian society.
The event, intended to promote national unity after a 12-day war with Israel, was expected to draw hundreds of thousands of fans. However, authorities cited concerns over crowd management and safety as reasons for the cancellation.
Shajarian took to social media to express his disappointment, stating that instruments and equipment for the 30-member orchestra were not allowed onto the site, and state organizers lacked a plan to manage the large crowd. “We all lost” a missed opportunity for unity, the culture ministry said in a statement apologizing for the cancelled event.
The cancellation has exposed deep-seated divisions within Iranian society, with some viewing the concert as a welcome respite from hardship and others seeing it as an attempt by the state to distract from pressing issues like power blackouts, water shortages, and economic woes.
Hardline MP Hamid Resaee suggested the government organized the concert to “distract the people” from these problems.
Shajarian’s concert was also caught up in the country’s complex politics, with some critics accusing him of backing the state.
The singer’s late father, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, was known as a “voice of the people.” In response, Shajarian pleaded for the effort not to be entangled with politics, insisting the concert was meant to provide “a moment of good feelings to people who deserve joy”.
The concert cancellation comes amid growing economic pressure on Iran, with the country’s currency hitting new lows and Western powers pushing to reinstate UN sanctions.
The US dollar changed hands for about 1.02 million rials in Tehran, slightly better than the new all-time low of 1.06 million rials registered earlier in the week. The Tehran Stock Exchange index has also plunged in reaction to the war with Israel.
The Iranian government continues to emphasize unity, using millennia-long Iranian history to invoke nationalist sentiment.
However, the country’s markets remain on edge, with Western powers trying to internationally blacklist Iran unless a deal is reached on its nuclear program.
The cancellation of Homayoun Shajarian’s free concert in Tehran’s Azadi Square has sparked intense debate and highlighted the complex dynamics of art and politics in Iran.
The concert, initially supported by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, was meant to promote national unity and offer solace in difficult times marked by economic hardship, political tension and the aftermath of war abroad.
Shajarian, one of Iran’s most celebrated traditional singers, had announced plans to hold the unprecedented event, which would have given millions of Iranians the opportunity to enjoy live music without financial barriers.
However, the announcement sparked controversy, with some conservative voices criticizing the initiative and others within the hardline camp welcoming it. Opposition activists abroad denounced Shajarian, accusing him of legitimizing the government.
The cancellation of the concert was attributed to logistical and security concerns, with Tehran’s municipality withholding permission for stage and sound equipment to enter the venue.
Shajarian expressed his disappointment, stating that the equipment had not been allowed in, and there seemed to be no capacity to manage the massive crowd expected.
The incident has exposed deep-seated divisions within Iranian society, with some viewing the concert as a welcome respite from hardship and others seeing it as a state-sponsored attempt to manipulate public opinion.
Social media campaigns urged people to attend the concert and seize the chance to chant anti-regime slogans, further polarizing the situation.
The government’s decision to cancel the concert has been seen as a sign of fragility, with some officials fearing that the event would turn into an opposition rally.
Former lawmaker Mahmoud Sadeghi noted that canceling the concert due to fear of a few slogans being shouted would have a greater negative impact, revealing the decision-makers’ perception of fragile security.
The cancellation highlights the ongoing restrictions on artistic expression in Iran, particularly for modern music genres. Iranian artists face significant challenges in obtaining permits, and many are forced to operate underground or release their work anonymously.
The incident reflects the complex interplay between politics, art, and society in Iran, with different factions vying for influence and control.
While some saw the concert as an opportunity for unity, others viewed it as a cynical attempt to mask the country’s pressing issues, such as poverty and collapsing living standards.