Waiting excitedly behind the door of my grandmother’s house, each family member wears a piece of red clothing. The door opens to the warm, loud gathering. We’re greeted with kisses and hugs, our faces still ice-cold from the winter chill outside. Inside, relatives with red-stained hands peel mountains of pomegranates, snacks are piled high on…
Art is an echo of origins. It thrives on experiences, beliefs, and the spaces where we first find our voice. In The Roots Issue of The Persian Magazine, we’ve journeyed into the creative minds of three extraordinary musicians connected not only by their shared experience at Berklee College of Music but also by their distinct…
As the preservation of architectural heritage and a ‘reuse’ mindset has gained popularity in arts infrastructure globally, repurposing abandoned spaces into museums and galleries is increasingly commonplace. One such example is Argo Factory in Tehran’s downtown, a rundown brewery that had sat abandoned for over forty years. During that time, parts of the building and…
The southern region of Iran, with its vibrant landscapes and resilient communities, has long been one of the country's key tourist destinations. Mariam Khanlou is one of many who has found herself drawn to this enchanting area. Her journey began in 2022, when she first encountered photographs of southern Iran and decided to visit. This…
Born in 1997, Navan is a Canadian-Iranian Pop/RnB artist whose journey from Montreal’s musical theatre stages to the global music scene tells a story of cultural fusion and creative ambition. Having moved to Canada as a child, he was immersed in the vibrant atmospheres of Montreal and Toronto—two cities that played a crucial role in…
Bahram Javadi-Babreh's journey into the world of rugs began at the tender age of four in a weaving factory in Marand, northwest Iran. In 1978, he emigrated to England to study engineering. However, it wasn't long before he discovered the country's appreciation for oriental rugs. This realization prompted him to leave university and return to…
Omid, known artistically as Safir, is an Iranian rapper, songwriter, and ideologist who has become a prominent figure in Iranian popular music and Persian rap over the past decade. He officially began his career as a member of 'Cherik' label with the release of the song Pavaraghi in 2012. After parting ways with that label,…
It was the mid-1970s, a time when Tehran was a vibrant cultural hub, hosting some of the biggest stars from around the globe. Among them was none other than Frank Sinatra, who brought his signature croon and timeless charisma to the city for two unforgettable performances. The trip, steeped in glamour and generosity, was part…
When Najaf Shokri stumbled upon discarded identification documents in a dumpster outside the Iranian Civil Registration Organization, he didn’t just see old paper. He saw an erased history. These IDs, filled with photographs of women born in the early 1940s and taken in their youth, became the foundation for Irandokht—a deeply personal and political project…
Chvrsi’s newest album, Zaar, hit the scene today, and with it comes a complex tapestry of sounds and stories. Spanning 13 tracks, Zaar showcases Chvrsi’s deft balance of staying true to his southern Iranian roots while maintaining the mainstream appeal that has made him a household name in Iran’s rap scene. The album doesn’t just…