The sound of music echoes in Persepolis

The Ceremony: Structure and Atmosphere

The concert began under the twilight sky of Shiraz, with the illuminated ruins of Persepolis providing a breathtaking backdrop. The ceremony was hosted by Seyyed Abbas Sajjadi, a cultural figure known for his poetic presentations.

1. Opening Anthems

   • The APO first performed the national anthem of Iran, followed by the national anthem of Armenia, in a gesture of mutual respect and recognition.

2. Keynote Speeches
   Several dignitaries delivered speeches that highlighted the symbolic and diplomatic importance of the event.

   • Hossein Ali Amiri, Governor of Fars, welcomed the orchestra and foreign guests, calling music “a message of peace, friendship, and solidarity of nations.”

   • Grigor Hakobyan, Armenian Ambassador to Iran, emphasized the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations, calling Persepolis “a monument of human civilization”.

   • Zhanna Andreasyan, Armenian Minister of Culture and Education, linked the concert to a broader effort at cultural diplomacy, stressing that the performance was “a statement for peace and cultural coexistence at the gate of the nations of the world.”

   • Hossein Simaei Saraf, Iran’s Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, spoke about Iran’s long tradition of diversity and unity, calling the concert an affirmation that “only culture and history remain.”