Building bridges through music
Ali, an Iranian student who has been studying French at ILCF (Institut de Langue et de Culture Françaises) for the past year, took part in this year's U-Art Festival. His performance on the setar, a traditional Persian string instrument, earned him second prize and captivated both the audience and the jury.
A professional musician, Ali shares his experience of performing at UCLy and reflects on the power of music to build bridges between cultures.
Can you tell us a little about your background?
I began learning traditional Persian music on the santur when I was eight years old. After several years of training, I started teaching the instrument at the age of eighteen and later learned to play the setar.
After moving to France, I decided to continue developing my artistic projects here. I quickly discovered that French audiences were very receptive to art, and particularly to music.
Persian music has a history spanning several thousand years and is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of ancient Persia and Mesopotamia. Some of the visual arts from these civilisations can also be seen at the Louvre Museum.
This musical tradition creates an atmosphere that is both mysterious and deeply emotional. It evokes epic stories, courage, mourning, spirituality and the myths of Iran.
Following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, music received less institutional support, and many musicians had to continue their work independently. As a result, traditional Persian music remains relatively unfamiliar to younger generations in many Western countries.
However, this lack of familiarity can also make the experience particularly powerful. Many listeners tell me that this music takes them on an imaginary journey through the history and landscapes of Persia and Mesopotamia.
In Persian music, improvisation is often considered one of the highest forms of artistic expression. Reaching this level requires many years of practice, musical knowledge and experience. I would now like to share what I have learned and, ultimately, develop collaborative projects with Western musicians.
As technology and robotics continue to transform the world at an increasingly rapid pace, people risk becoming disconnected from their history, their traditions and their roots. At the same time, we are constantly overwhelmed by information.
This feeling is difficult to describe in words, but art can help us express it. Traditional Eastern music can create a sense of both familiarity and distance. Its melodies may seem strangely recognisable, even to listeners discovering them for the first time.
I believe this music can help Western audiences reconnect with something timeless and universal.
Read more
Le Festival U-Art met à l’honneur la créativité et l’expression artistique des étudiants et des salariés. Cet événement propose d’explorer des thématiques contemporaines à travers toutes les formes d’art.
