Ministry of Culture Spokesperson: A Coordinated Movement is Targeting Concert Cancellations

Hosseini Nooshabadi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, warned that a "coordinated movement" is trying to cancel all music concerts in the country due to recent pressures on Iranian musicians. He also accused "specific individuals" and "saboteurs" of inciting the public, especially the youth. In the last days of Ordibehesht, concerts by Kayan Kalhor and Shahram Nazeri in Nishapur were canceled by judicial authorities, which led to protests from the House of Music and the government of Hassan Rouhani. In this context, the spokesperson emphasized that the cancellation of music concerts was due to the actions of "extremist groups" and was a "self-directed" act. Hosseini Nooshabadi stated: "Concerts by artists like Shahram Nazeri, Kayan Kalhor, and Alireza Ghorbani are among the healthiest and most authentic types of music in this land, and since their music has no religious or legal issues, they have been able to operate for several decades in the Islamic Republic of Iran, so it is surprising that some extremist groups attack their art and cancel their concerts." He noted that "the songs and compositions of artists like Shahram Nazeri are always broadcast on the Islamic Republic of Iran's television, but extremists do not spare even these individuals from their attacks." According to this official from the Ministry of Culture, some in the country "oppose the essence of music or its performance in the government, as there is no rational or religious justification for the arbitrary cancellation of these concerts." Mr. Nooshabadi continued: "The police in cities cooperate with cultural and guidance offices to appropriately hold concerts, but it seems that a coordinated movement has targeted the cancellation of all concerts across the country." Previously, Ali Jannati, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, expressed his inability to counter judicial orders for concert cancellations, stating that the judiciary considers such actions part of its rights. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance also mentioned that this ministry "does not have the coercive power to confront pressure groups" and can only approve artistic works in terms of content that do not have legal or religious issues. Nevertheless, Mr. Nooshabadi emphasized that the continuation of these law violations does not have good consequences and leads to distrust towards the government and the system. The government of Hassan Rouhani had previously warned that the cancellation of music concerts and similar actions have negative social and cultural effects.