Voices that were supposed to be silenced in Iran, this time resonated in the heart of Cologne.

In this project, Iranian female singers took to the stage alongside the Gortsnich Cologne Orchestra and the Inner Unity group. Many of these women have been forced to leave Iran in recent years in order to preserve their voices and their art. Since 1979, women’s solo singing in Iran has faced extensive prohibitions and restrictions. But these restrictions have never been able to silence their voices. Women have sung all these years; sometimes secretly, sometimes in small groups, but always accepting the risk.
On this evening, their voices flowed freely on the stage of the Cologne Philharmonic. Forough Fazli, Ghazal Ansari-Rad, Mohya Hamedi, Sanam Marufkhani, Hora Mirshekari, Malihe Moradi, Mina Daris, Anusha Nazari and Samin Ghorbani each brought a piece of Iran’s musical and cultural diversity to Cologne; From Qashqai, Azerbaijani and Balochi songs to contemporary and fusion music. Different voices that together created a common narrative of resistance. Sara Hasti on the kamancheh, Mehrnoush Zolfaghari on the santoor and Avin Ahmadi on the oud accompanied this harmony and built a bridge between the roots of Iranian music and today's experiences.
The project was formed with the artistic direction of Yalda Yazdani, the program management of Frank Rafiei and the production management of Laleh Knouk. The musical arrangements were written by Matthias Kaufmann, Justus Berger, Mahia Hamedi and Mahan Mir-Arab and Joya Shin conducted the orchestra. One night, one scene and voices that, despite all the limitations, continue to sing:
This song will not die

Female Voices of Resilience | Voices That Refused to Be Silenced Voices that were meant to be silenced in Iran resonated in the heart of Cologne. Iranian women singers took the stage alongside the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne and the Inner Unity Ensemble. Many of them have been forced to leave Iran in recent years in order to protect their voices and their art.

Since 1979, women's solo singing in Iran has faced extensive bans and restrictions. Yet Iranian women have continued to sing — sometimes in secret, sometimes in small gatherings, and often at personal risk. On this night, their voices filled the Cologne Philharmonie freely. Foroogh Fazli, Ghazaal Ansarirad, Mahya Hamedi, Sanam Maroufkhani, Hura Mirshekari, Maliheh Moradi, Mina Deris, Anousha Nazari and Samin Ghorbani brought the musical and cultural diversity of Iran to Cologne — from Qashqai, Azerbaijani and Baluchi traditions to contemporary music. They were joined by Sara Hasti on kamancheh, Mehrnoosh Zolfaghari on santur and Avin Ahmadi on oud, creating a bridge between Iranian musical traditions and the present. The project was developed under the artistic direction of Yalda Yazdani, with Faranak Rafiei as Program Manager and Lale Konuk as Production Manager. Musical arrangements were written by Matthias Kaufmann, Justus Berger, Mahya Hamedi and Mahan Mirarab, with Juya Shin conducting the orchestra. More than a concert, Female Voices of Resilience became a moment of visibility, resistance and hope. One night, one stage, and voices that continue to sing despite all restrictions: This song will not die.

Programm Saleh Alkoveyti Awassy Elmar Arrangement Philipp Matthias Kaufmann Mina Deris Ali Tajvidi Tazarv Arrangement Philipp Matthias Kaufmann Malihe Moradi André Hossein Caravane Arrangement Pierre Bertrand-Cagnes Anousha Nazari Mahya Hamedi Acacia Thorns Arrangement Mahya Hamedi Mahya Hamedi Foroogh Fazli und Siamak Karimpour Hanooz Ashegham Arrangement Justus Berger Foroogh Fazli Traditionelle Musik der Qashqai und Boyer-Ahmadi Wiegenlied – Lori Bakhtiari – Dey Balal / Lori Boyer Ahmadi Arrangement Mahan Mirarab Ghazaal Ansari Rad Traditionelles Lied auf Aserbaidschanisch Ahu Kimi Gözl erin Arrangement Philipp Matthias Kaufmann Samin Ghorbani Sanam Maroufkhani Indigo valley Arrangement Justus Berger Sanam Maroufkhani Renaud Satre Nana Arrangement Philipp Matthias Kaufmann Hura Mirshekari