Aayin va Ava in Kish: A Journey Through the Regional Music and Rituals of Iran's Ethnic Groups

The sixth Kish Music Festival, focusing on Iran's regional music, indigenous rituals, and the participation of women artists, is being held. Twelve groups have been selected for the final stage, and foreign groups are welcome to take part. The event aims to expand cultural exchanges and introduce the musical capacities of Iran's ethnic communities.

The 6th Kish Music Festival will be held with a focus on the music of Iran's regions, local rituals and the presence of female artists; An event that follows the development of cultural interactions and the introduction of ethnic musical capacities by selecting 12 groups for the final stage and providing the possibility of the presence of foreign groups.

Hamid Hadi, the secretary of the 6th Kish Music Festival, said, referring to the history of this event, according to Ambassador Arjan's report, citing the public relations and international affairs of the Kish Free Zone Organization, Hamid Hadi, referring to the history of this event, said: Kish Music Festival has been held in five periods so far with themes such as classical Iranian music groups, music of the southern coasts of Iran, tribal movements and women's music of Iran's regions, and in the sixth period, the music of the regions and local rituals with the presence of female artists has been given attention.

Referring to the main themes of the festival, Hadi said: the sounds of work and life, musical authorities, indigenous and local rituals, the capacity of artists from less privileged areas and lesser-known instruments are among the topics of interest in this course. Encouraging artists to create works based on local musical culture and using the musical capacity of ethnic groups to introduce culture and strengthen cultural and artistic tourism are also among the other goals of the festival.

Ritual movements and music of the women of the regions; Two main parts of the festival

The secretary of the 6th Kish Music Festival said about the structure of this course: The festival will be held in two sections: women's music of Iran's regions and ritual movements of Iranian peoples, and after receiving and evaluating the works of the applicants, six groups from each section and a total of 12 groups will be selected to participate in the final stage.

Hadi said about the evaluation criteria of the works: In the music section, indicators such as compliance with tune and rhythm, performance technique, coordination of group members, selection and arrangement of pieces, originality and musical expression, innovation and creative performance are evaluated. In the ritual movements section, originality and creativity in performance, technique of movements, attention to cultural commonalities, stage manners and communication with the audience will be evaluation criteria.

He added: Women's musical groups of the regions can participate in the festival with a minimum of three and a maximum of six members, and ritual movements groups will also participate in this event with a composition of six members, including two musicians and four performers of ritual movements. There is no age limit for participating in different parts of the festival, and the use of ethnic and local clothing appropriate to the cultural authenticity of each region is also considered.

Hadi explained about the way of presenting the works: The women's music groups of the regions must present two group performances along with a solo performance by two prominent musicians of the group. In the ritual movements section, two group performances, a solo performance by two outstanding musicians, and a performance by two prominent members of the group have been considered for the selection board.

He mentioned the identification of talented musicians as one of the other programs of this course and added: attention to the abandoned and less known instruments of Iran's regions will also be followed in the process of identifying talents. The winners of the festival will receive a statue of the festival, a certificate of appreciation and a cash prize at the closing ceremony.

Development of cultural interactions with the presence of foreign groups

The secretary of the 6th Kish Music Festival, referring to the international part of this event, said: The possibility of receiving and reviewing the works of foreign music groups is foreseen in the framework of the festival's invitation to expand cultural interactions and recognize musical commonalities with neighboring countries, especially the countries of the Persian Gulf.

About how to attend the festival, he said: Applicants must register and send the details of group members and samples of their works through the festival website. The number 09027128204 is also reserved for communicating with the secretariat and following up on information related to the various stages of the festival.

At the end, Hadi noted: The poster and invitation for the sixth edition of the festival was unveiled and published on October 14, and the process of accepting works started on October 14 and will continue until October 30. Also, the closing of the sixth Kish music festival entitled Ayeen and Ava will be held on November 20, 1405, at the same time as Kish week.