The spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance recently commented on Mohammad-Reza Shajarian's activities, stating that "this artist must resolve his own issues, and his matters are not related to the Ministry of Culture." Hassan Noosh-Abadi, in an interview with the Thursday, May 6 edition of the newspaper 'Shargh', responded to the question of whether the Ministry is pursuing one of Hassan Rouhani's electoral promises to facilitate concerts for Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, saying: "We have no problem with him as an artist, but there are issues that do not pertain to our domain." The spokesman further explained that these issues relate to other institutions, stating: "The character of some of our artists is defined in various fields; there is no doubt that Mohammad-Reza Shajarian is a well-known, famous, and beloved artist, and everyone agrees on that. However, there are issues that pertain to other areas and do not concern us." When asked which institution opposes Mr. Shajarian's concerts, he added: "The institutions are clear, but the Ministry of Culture's duty is to identify and assess the artistic and specialized capabilities of artists. The other part does not concern us." Mr. Noosh-Abadi pointed out that regarding the Mohammad-Reza Shajarian issue, "there are parts that are not under our control, and we have not intervened and will not intervene," stating that "he must work to resolve the issues." He announced that "Mr. Shajarian's travel to the country is not a problem," adding: "People are not meant to be boycotted forever, and Shajarian cannot be boycotted either, but he must also address the suspicions that have arisen." Mr. Shajarian stated on Tuesday, May 4, at the International Hafez Conference that "I have not been allowed to sing for my people and in my country for several years." The spokesman for the Ministry of Culture has repeatedly stated that Mohammad-Reza Shajarian faces "legal restrictions" for holding concerts imposed by other institutions, which are unrelated to this ministry. The Ministry of Culture has not yet mentioned the names of the institutions, organizations, or individuals that have imposed these restrictions.
Spokesman of the Ministry of Culture: Shajarian's Travel to the Country is Not a Problem
The spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Culture stated that Mohammad-Reza Shajarian's travel to Iran is not an issue, but he must resolve his own problems regarding concert restrictions, which are imposed by other institutions. This highlights ongoing tensions between the artist and the Iranian authorities, affecting cultural expression.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Culture stated that Mohammad-Reza Shajarian's travel to Iran is not an issue, but he must resolve concert restrictions imposed by other institutions. This reflects ongoing tensions between Shajarian and Iranian authorities regarding artistic freedom.
- Shajarian has faced legal restrictions on holding concerts in Iran.
- The Ministry of Culture claims that these restrictions are imposed by other institutions, not within their control.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a history of restricting artistic expression, particularly for artists who are politically active or critical of the government. Shajarian's prominence makes his case particularly significant.
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%