The secretary of the 40th Fajr International Music Festival recently spoke about his intention to include genres such as rock and rap in the festival; Genres that are not yet officially active in our country and are not allowed to perform on stage.
to report cinema cinemaReza Mahdavi, who was the secretary of the 39th edition of Fajr International Music Festival, will be the secretary of the 40th edition of this festival as well.
This music artist, who has been criticizing the way Fajr Music Festival was held for many years, complained in his recent interviews that some of his decisions for the previous period of the festival were prevented from being implemented, and he is not very satisfied with his authority as the secretary of this important music event. .
In this regard, we decided to talk with Mahdavi about several issues, including the presence of different genres of music such as jazz, rock and rap in the festival, the fear and concern of cultural and artistic directors about words such as rock or metal, women’s solos, the low number of venues, etc. Let’s talk about what you will read in the description of this Isna interview.
– You said somewhere that it is necessary to have jazz, rock and rap music in this year’s festival, has this been finalized or is it just an idea?
No; It is my idea. We must have a correct behavior with new phenomena, a wise behavior. It is not right that such species are not allowed to perform in the festival. Many music concerts that are held in the name of pop are not necessarily pop, but all these performances are licensed as pop music on paper. The festival is a place of great celebration and everyone should be present.
About rap music, but it can be localized and don’t be afraid of its name. Fajr International Music Festival is the best time for trial and error to allow rap artists to perform with Iranian content and identity, and when we make sure that this is not dangerous, the authorities will be relieved.
Of course, this idea was raised before me, that a few years ago, rock and fusion performances were held in Azadi Tower and Arsbaran Cultural Center, but due to unknown reasons, they did not allow this. Last year, except for a jazz trio performance that was held, we also intended to use other types that were mentioned, we even introduced the groups, but they were not welcomed or agreed.
This year, as the topic of “national reconciliation” is discussed, we must use the platform of the festival to present different types of music that we have not had in the festival so far; Because in Iran, we don’t have an independent pop festival that can bring these types of music together.
Of course, fusion music means fusion and multicultural music or the presence of types of music that have not been present in the festival.
You mentioned rap music. This type of music, which is made underground everywhere in the world and even in Iran, is a protest or has a content that is not accepted in our culture and religion. Doesn’t its localization damage the nature of this kind of music?
There are two types of this type of music; “One is the form of performance that is said continuously, it has a melodious tone and a kind of dialogue, and in a way, it can be said that it is our own long sea in the joyful religious music that the old chanters used to sing” and “the other dimension is protest and violent topics.” We don’t need to go into it.
Many like to sing non-objectionable rap and use its lyrics, which this type of use of rap can not cause concern and we can safely use it in festivals.
Several years ago, in the 80s, Reza Attaran did something like this in the movie and TV series, which was a beautiful shot, and we thought that the space would open up, but it didn’t!
The festival is now a good opportunity to localize what has unnecessarily worried the authorities and exploit it for our own benefit. Localization of any issue is for the benefit of our country, and of course, if it harms its essence, there is no need to worry about what Westerners think? Are they thinking about us?
According to the talk about rap music, recently the vice president of artistic affairs talked about the rap licensing task force. Do you know about this working group?
I don’t know, but most likely, the end of this working group will be the same as the working group that we were waiting for to be formed for the national music document, but it was not.
– The problem with inviting Iranian rock bands is that many of their works are not licensed, their works are in English, or they only cover the works of world rock music greats. How do you plan to build this work?
The prevailing restrictions in music include many instrumental groups that cannot go on stage due to the form and content of their work. At the beginning of the 80s, I published the works of Kat Stevins (Youssef Islam) in English, and until now, no problems have arisen.
In the first experiment, we are not planning to invite 10 rock bands to the festival. First, we select two or three groups that are reviewed by the festival council, and we support and perform for the least dangerous and least vulnerable groups that respect the original form of the genre and whose work is based on our culture.
Of course, we have no shortage of groups that are interested in participating in the festival; Groups whose music is healthy but different and because they have not been seen before, there is a kind of caution and withdrawal from them. But finally, these groups should be brought to the field; Because tomorrow is already late and we have already lost a lot of time. My point is that music is a condition of health; Now it can be whatever it wants to be in the interest of territorial integrity.
What about those groups whose works are not licensed? Are they able to attend the festival?
They can send their works, we will check them and maybe they will get permission in the festival.
If all music groups take Fajr Music Festival seriously, a new door will be opened for music lovers every year. Fajr International Music Festival looks like a celebration, but technically and professionally, a lot of work can be done in it, and it is necessary for some artists and officials to have a comprehensive review in their approach to this festival.
– What is the reason for the fear of the authorities, who, for example, consider metal or hard rock to be satanic music and do not accept any other possibility? Is it because of their unfamiliarity with this type of music?
Satanism and atheistic thoughts can be introduced into societies with any kind of music, and it has nothing to do with the type of music. Perhaps in these musical genres, this culture is more infused that this thinking exists. Unfortunately, awareness is low, and some expert consultants do mischief and bypass managers for their own benefit and not for the music industry in the country.
Let’s not forget that every type of music has its place among the audience and until we have fully achieved our own culture in each genre and we have not given everyone many opportunities; Why should we go to foreign examples?
At the beginning, we can show two or three examples of these groups as models through the festival and say that these groups are approved by the culture and lifestyle of the Iranian-Islamic family; Because their thinking and work is based on Iranian culture. We should not be afraid and finally we should enter these fields, however, the audience of these genres cannot be hidden.
How do you want to identify these groups?
In the call, we can clearly say what we want, regardless of who the group members are. Of course, people and their names are not supposed to be important to us. In arbitrations, it is mostly like this that headers, names and data are removed. Experts examine the work of these groups in terms of musical identity, lyrics, sonority, political and social dimension, and technical aspects of the work.
When a poem and music based on our culture is internalized, it can be enough. Now, which people can perform in the festival, will be checked in another place, which will be announced to the secretary later. Of course, I also request from the honorable authorities to reduce the strictness of the slogan of “National Reconciliation and Unity” by attracting as much as possible, so that with an all-round positive and not negative view, a wide level of young, hard-working, committed and tasteful artists who such activities We are going to have it in the festival.
I know that in the field of cinema, these groups are used in ceremonies and even movies. Now, why can the cinema so easily use different types of music, but the Fajr International Music Festival, which should support children to different groups, is not able to do this?
– You said somewhere that an Armenian female musician was not allowed to perform last year. Of course, these restrictions more or less include the status of Iranian female musicians, as we saw the cancellation of Alireza Ghorbani’s concert last year due to the presence of a female musician. How can you prevent these clashes of taste in the festival?
We must refer to the fatwa of the Supreme Leader. They don’t even see a problem with female singing as long as it is not corrupt. Some scholars have the same view. There is no obstacle for women soloing and these looks are tasteful.
These views should be limited at least in the festival so that we can use the female scholar artists in the country. Whether we like it or not, today we have educated and elite female musicians who shine in Iran and other countries, and if we cannot pave the way for them, the festival will turn into a male festival.
There is no mention of women in the music document, even though a high percentage of entrances and exits of the national entrance exam are girls. They should have a place of supply and they should not be oppressed when they observe all the points of jurisprudence, clothing and stage etiquette.
The women of this land want to use the existing facilities; Because they pay taxes and bear the hardships of life in order to have a place to grow and be seen. The suitable platform for this work can be a festival, which should be free from repetition and be different every year from the previous year. The festival should focus on the roots, but also on the youth, teenagers and women and girls of Iran.
– Do you have a plan to use the winners of the Young Music Festival in the Fajr Festival in this period so that they are not left alone and have a space to be seen?
My heart’s desire is that the winners of all music festivals in the country, from the private sector to the government, can attend the Fajr International Music Festival.
Last year, I suggested that they organize an independent Iranian pop festival and a compilation, whose output will be judged at the Fajr Music Festival.
Fajr Music Festival is a big showcase that wants to showcase Iranian music from all ethnicities along with all the knowledge and experience it has gained over the years, but due to the lack of a hall and the small budget of the festival, it is only possible to hold performances for five nights. If the festival was for 10 nights, we could use the capacity of all music festivals in this event. For the first time, we organized the performance of children and teenagers in the soloist and big orchestra section, who came from all over Iran and surprised the music conservatories.
– Every institution or organization in Tehran and other cities have their own halls that even have the possibility of holding concerts. Aren’t there supposed to be consultations with them to allow the festival to use their halls? At least if we have a women’s section in Tehran, they won’t have to hold their concert at 2:00 PM!
This work requires a managerial motivation, a person who goes around the provinces and municipalities, talks and inquires the reason for their non-participation and asks them to participate in the revolution celebration by spending money and giving a hall.
When due to the regulations, before the festival secretary, the head of the festival, the head of policy making and other managers are at the top of the decision-making process and other regulatory institutions have strict supervision, the festival secretary or manager will not have any motivation and will not have significant executive power.
Now imagine that I will talk to one of the authorities and the problem will be solved amicably, but what will happen on paper as a document and he wants an executive guarantee…?
These are the points that cause damage. I have worked as a manager for 30 years and have gone to all parts of the country and organized various festivals. I have always had authority and have had meetings and consensus at the level of the governor, governor, imams and general managers, I have justified them and performed a concert that was impossible to perform, and it was easy and smooth for me to some extent.
– Banks, universities and ministries in cities have very good capabilities, why shouldn’t we use them?
The by-laws of the festival must be revised forever; Because this bylaw has problems and contradictions, so that it can be a way forward in the future in delegating authority and correct and principled implementation with the participation of all valuable artists and professors of Iranian music.
Source: Isna