Farhang Foundation

Watch a virtual tour of the current MANOUCHER YEKTAI at ICA Miamii solo exhibition with curator Donna Honarpisheh.

Farhang Foundation presents:
GOLDA ZAHRA in her Persian language stage debut performing the classic anthem IRAN-E JAVAN - ایرانِ جوان

Performed Live with the
IRANSHAHR ORCHESTRA

Music Director & Conductor Shahab Paranj

Composed by Jean Baptiste Lemaire & Siavash Beizai

Poem by Bijan Taraghi

Directed by Arash Rod

Farhang Foundation proudly presents the official music video premiere of soprano Golda Zahra’s stunning live performance from LIGHT ALWAYS PREVAILS, recorded at UCLA’s majestic Royce Hall in Los Angeles.

Marking her Persian-language debut, Golda Zahra joins the acclaimed Iranshahr Orchestra under the baton of celebrated composer and conductor Maestro Shahab Paranj for a stirring interpretation of Iran-e Javan (“Young Iran”) — a beloved composition rooted deeply in Iran’s cultural history.

“When I stepped into the spotlight to sing ‘Iran-e Javan’ — my singing debut in the Persian language, I experienced a sensation that I can only describe as immense pride. That feeling was brought to an even higher level when I asked my fellow Iranian in the audience to join me and sing along in order to celebrate together, our mutual heritage. At once, I felt the sea of music unifying our hearts and it filled me with intense joy.

Performing this glorious piece of music was an honor and a pleasure and collaborating with Farhang Foundation on behalf of Nowruz through the art of song demonstrates the ongoing need to preserve the beauty of our shared heritage. I hope you enjoy the performance.”

— Golda Zahra

Widely recognized as Iran’s first national anthem during the Qajar dynasty, the piece originated in 1873 when French composer Alfred Jean Baptiste Lemaire was commissioned by Naser al-Din Shah Qajar to compose a ceremonial anthem for Iran. Known historically as Salam-e Shah (“Royal Salute”), the composition became one of the earliest musical symbols of modern Iranian national identity and was performed during official state ceremonies and royal visits throughout the late nineteenth century.

Over time, the melody evolved beyond its royal origins and came to embody a broader sense of cultural pride and collective memory for generations of Iranians. In this powerful contemporary interpretation, Golda Zahra’s luminous soprano voice breathes new emotional life into the historic composition, while Maestro Shahab Paranj’s orchestral direction reimagines the work for a modern audience with sweeping cinematic grandeur.

Presented as part of Farhang Foundation’s landmark concert LIGHT ALWAYS PREVAILS on March 8, 2026, this special premiere is both a celebration of Iranian musical heritage and a tribute to the enduring power of art to inspire hope, unity, and resilience across generations.

Farhang Foundation is proud to be the exclusive cultural partner and sponsor of the upcoming Kayhan Kalhor Concert wit the prestigious Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Get your tickets today via Farhang.org/VSO and we look forward to welcoming you in Vancouver.

PARISSA “Pir-E Farzaneh” Exclusive Live Performance at Royce Hall - For Farhang Performances. Farhang Foundation proudly presents an extraordinary live performance of “Pir-E Farzaneh” by the legendary Maestra Parissa, accompanied by the Iranshahr Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Shahab Paranj.

Widely regarded as the Grande Dame of Iranian classical music, Parissa is one of the most influential and revered vocalists in the history of Iranian traditional music. A master of the Avaz vocal tradition, she rose to prominence in Iran during the golden era of Iranian classical music through her profound interpretations, unmatched vocal mastery, and deeply spiritual style. Parissa has helped preserve and elevate Iran’s classical musical heritage for generations to come.

Following the 1979 Revolution in Iran, women were prohibited from singing publicly before mixed audiences, effectively silencing one of Iran’s greatest living artists inside her own homeland. For more than 47 years, Parissa has endured this ban while continuing to inspire audiences around the world through rare international appearances and recordings. Each live performance outside Iran has therefore become not only an artistic event, but also a profound act of cultural preservation and resilience.

“Pir-e Farzaneh”
Composed by Master Hossein Alizadeh
Lyrics by Hafez
Music Director & Conductor: Maestro Shahab Paranj
Performed by the Iranshahr Orchestra
Directed by Arash Rod

Joining Parissa is the acclaimed Iranshahr Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Shahab Paranj — award-winning Iranian-American composer, conductor, educator, and virtuoso tombak player. Known for his innovative ability to bridge Iranian musical traditions with contemporary orchestral language, Paranj has emerged as one of the leading voices of his generation, creating works that unite Iranian musical heritage with global symphonic expression.

Recorded live at UCLA’s majestic Royce Hall on March 8, 2026 as part of the LIGHT ALWAYS PREVAILS concert honoring the enduring voices of Iranians.

Tickets and more information at Farhang.org/VSO
A master of musical storytelling, Kayhan Kalhor brings the soul of the kamancheh to the symphonic stage in an unforgettable evening of sound and emotion.

Join us on June 3 for ANCIENT SOUND, TIMELESS VOICE as the legendary Kayhan Kalhor performs live with the prestigious Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in a rare and powerful collaboration at the majestic Orpheum Theater of Vancouver.

Experience a night where timeless tradition meets orchestral grandeur..

Thank you to all who joined us for English this past month!

IRAN THROUGH BOOKS 2026 Recap | Farhang Foundation at the L.A. Times Festival of Books at USC.
Farhang Foundation returned to the L.A. Times Festival of Books at USC with its annual IRAN THROUGH BOOKS program—celebrating the richness of Iranian literature, culture, and storytelling.

Held at America’s largest annual book festival attended by over 75,000 visitors each year, this free, two-day event welcomed thousands of visitors to explore books about Iran and by Iranian authors. In this recap, experience highlights from our booth and the vibrant community that gathered around literature, dialogue, and cultural exchange.

Throughout the weekend, we were honored to host esteemed guest authors: Abdi Nazemian, Rashin Kheiriyeh, Banafsheh Sayyad, Ciruce Movahedi-Lankarani, and Sholeh Wolpé.

From timeless classics to contemporary voices, IRAN THROUGH BOOKS continues to showcase the depth and diversity of Iranian literature on one of the nation’s most celebrated literary stages.

📍 University of Southern California (USC)
📅 April 18–19, 2026

Learn more: https://farhang.org/FOB16