Vietnam-Iran Music Exchange: From the Land of the Phoenix to the Land of the Dragon and Fairy

Iranian and Vietnamese music both have deep roots and vocal techniques from local traditions, emphasize improvisation and especially have a special connection that few people know about.

In order to promote the exchange and communication between the two brilliant cultures, representatives of Iran and Vietnam had a traditional music performance called "Journey from the Land of the Phoenix to the Land of the Dragon and Fairy's descendants."

The event was organized by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Vietnam in coordination with the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism , taking place on October 9.

Iran's representative is Sar Afshan, a famous band in Iran, who has represented Iran in many regional competitions.

The band's five talented musicians include Reza Hosseinzadeh, leader and Tombak drummer; Iman Rostamian, singer, Violin and Kamancheh player; Roozbeh Akbarian, Tar and Oud player; Fatemeh Abdollahi, Qanun player; Fatemeh Sharifi, Daf player.

Coming to Vietnam this time, the band will also participate and perform in the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi, taking place from October 10-13 at the central relic site of Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

From left to right: Daf drum, Qanun, Western violin, Oud and Tombak drum. (Photo: Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

Musical instruments create the sounds of Persian fairy tales. (Photo: Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

Under the skillful hands of the artists, the series of musical instruments brought the deep and enchanting sounds of Persia to Vietnamese audiences. The Qanun, reminiscent of the Vietnamese Tam Thap Luc, also created excitement for many audiences.

According to Mr. Ali Mohammadi, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Vietnam, the music of this country has had contact and influence on Vietnamese music through trade and cultural exchange with China and India. Both Iranian and Vietnamese music have deep roots and vocal techniques from local traditions, emphasizing improvisation with close connections to poetry and literature.

“The connection between the traditional music of the two countries can be symbolized through the image of the legendary Simorgh phoenix in Persian legend - the bird that crossed the vast lands from West Asia to East Asia to visit the land of the Dragon and Fairy's descendants,” said the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Vietnam.

Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Vietnam Ali Mohammadi. (Photo: Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

“Dragons and fairies are twin symbols of transcendence, creatures in their own mythological traditions that represent the sublimation of the soul and the aspiration to reach higher spiritual realms,” he shared. The two legends intertwine to reflect a common aspiration: To rise above the mundane to reach the sacred.

Therefore, according to the representative of the Iranian Embassy in Vietnam, this musical heritage is not only a glorious vestige of the past between the two countries, but also a path leading to a bright common future.

Dr. Trinh Thi Thu Ha, principal of Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism, said that the relationship between Vietnam and Iran has a good tradition not only in culture, but is increasingly strengthened and expanded in the fields of diplomacy, education and many other fields.

“The Iranian traditional music program is not only a musical performance, but also a meeting of souls, a harmony of long-standing cultural values. This is also a testament to the role of art in spreading the spirit of humanity and solidarity.

I believe that the program can leave a deep impression on the audience, especially the school's students - who are being inspired to become global citizens, knowledgeable and open-minded through each experience," said Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Ha.

The band, guests, staff and students of Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism took a souvenir photo. (Photo: Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

In response, the Vietnamese representatives sent their Iranian friends a series of songs such as “Singing in the Pac Bo Forest” by musician Nguyen Tai Tue, “Wind to the Downstream” and the Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk song “Tuong Phung Tuong Ngo.”

Nguyen Dinh Hao, a student at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, performed the song “Singing in the Pac Bo Forest,” expressing his pride in being one of the “ambassadors” of traditional Vietnamese music at the program and said he “hopes there will be more in-depth and broader cultural exchange activities about Vietnam, through music, cuisine, tourism or many other fields for international friends to know.”

According to information from the organizers, the traditional and friendly relationship between Vietnam and Iran today is a continuation of the early history of trade and cultural exchange between the Persian kingdom and Dai Viet.

Since the 15th century, some Persian merchants began to trade in Dai Viet. In Vietnam, scientists have found archaeological artifacts dating back to the period of Phu Nam, originating from Persia; along with imprints at many trading centers such as Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Thi Nai... and commercial activities have opened the door to cultural exchange between the two countries.

Isfahan city (Iran), the resting place of Alexandre de Rhodes, who contributed to the creation of the modern Latin Vietnamese alphabet, is now a tourist destination for many Vietnamese tourists when coming to this country.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/giao-luu-am-nhac-viet-nam-iran-tu-xu-so-phuong-hoang-den-dat-con-rong-chau-tien-post1069303.vnp