On the final night of the 40th Fajr Music Festival, an enchanting performance by Tunisian-born musician Farah Fersi at Tehran’s Roudaki Hall captivated the audience, as her skillful playing of the qanun, along with her deep connection to Iranian music, left a lasting impression on the attendees.
During the elevator ride to Tehran’s Roudaki Hall, I overheard several mothers talking about the concert, telling their daughters, “Your instructor said if you don’t learn something from this performance equivalent to a university lecture, then nothing will help. How many times will such a talented musician come to Iran?” From these snippets of conversation, I gathered that an extraordinary performance awaited us.
A Unique Musical Journey: Farah Fersi’s Background
On the last night of the 40th Fajr Music Festival, Roudaki Hall hosted Farah Fersi, a young and internationally acclaimed qanun player from Tunisia. Known to many Iranians through her YouTube and Instagram presence, Farah Fersi has been making waves in the global music scene. Now in her late twenties, Fersi started playing the qanun in her teens and quickly became a skilled musician admired across various countries.
Fersi, who now resides in France, traveled to Iran at the invitation of the Fajr Festival organizers. Whether she had been to Iran before was unclear, but throughout her performance, it was evident she was well-versed in Iranian music. Before each piece, she provided insightful explanations, demonstrating a deep knowledge of local musical traditions.
Exploring Iranian Music through a Tunisian Lens
At the start of her performance, Fersi acknowledged the Iranian audience: “I know my name is quite familiar to you, but I am Tunisian.” This comment likely stemmed from the recent trend of her pieces and her hijab-wearing appearance, which led many to mistakenly believe she was Iranian.
Throughout the performance, Fersi expressed admiration for the Iranian people and their music, even performing several pieces inspired by Iranian composers, including “Khazan” by Parviz Meshkatian and a piece by Abolhassan Saba. One of her favorites, “Sultan-e Ghalb-ha,” was fused with a Tunisian folk tune called “Yasimin,” creating an evocative and delightful performance.
Cultural Fusion: Fersi’s Rendition of Iranian and Tunisian Tunes
Born on July 16, 1997, in Tunisia, Farah Fersi began learning the qanun, a prominent instrument in North African music, at the age of 12. She quickly gained recognition as a musician with a unique style, and she continues her studies under the guidance of esteemed qanun teacher Goksel Bakhtagir in Tunisia and Turkey. Despite her professional success, she remains dedicated to refining her craft.
Fersi’s music is not only beautiful and inspiring but also conveys positive energy and hope. One of her primary goals is to promote unity and cultural exchange, a vision she exemplifies through her work and words.
Farah Fersi’s Rise to Fame and Global Recognition
Her rise to fame, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, was propelled by her sharing music videos and hosting online concerts. This helped her maintain connections with her audience and gain international recognition, leading to appearances on various radio and television programs.
The Influence of the Qanun Across Cultures
Although the qanun’s exact origins remain debated, it is widely known in countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Armenia, Russia, and Iran, where famous qanun players like the late Simin Aghazadeh have made the instrument beloved.
During Fersi’s concert at Roudaki Hall, several prominent figures were present, including the Tunisian Ambassador to Iran, Imad Al-Rahmouni, the Secretary of the Fajr Music Festival, Reza Mahdavi, and the renowned pianist Mohammadreza Amirghasemi.
Notable Attendees and Highlights from the Festival
One of the highlights of this year’s Fajr Festival was the participation of internationally renowned artists, whose performances received great appreciation, with tickets often selling out in advance. This was certainly true for Fersi’s performance. Earlier in the festival, Spanish flamenco guitarist Daniel Casares also performed to a warm reception at Vahdat Hall, further cementing the festival’s status as a cultural celebration.
The International Appeal of the Fajr Music Festival
The presence of artists from countries like India, the Netherlands, and Armenia added to the international flavor of the festival, which continues to showcase how music, though a sound-based art form, remains one of the most subtle and powerful tools for cultural exchange across borders.
Mehr news