From the Caspian to the Persian Gulf in Homage to the Oud:
As part of the lead-up to the main event, the 2nd Qeshm National Oud Festival, co-organized by the BookCity Institute and the Qeshm Free Zone Organization, embarked on a unique nationwide journey titled the “Route of Oud” (راه عود – Rah-e Oud). This initiative, symbolizing a deep homage to the revered oud instrument, traversed over a thousand kilometers across Iran, bringing the soulful sounds of this ancient lute to various cities. The captivating musical journey, which included stops in major cultural hubs like Tehran, Mashhad, Noor, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, and Yazd, culminates on the shimmering Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf, the host location for the main festival.
The “Route of Oud” serves as a cultural tribute to the oud’s significant place in the musical life of the Iranian people, particularly in the southern regions where its presence is historically strong. This series of events, orchestrated with the support of organizations like BookCity, provides a vital platform for talented young oud players from across the country to showcase their skills, honor the legacy of this age-old Iranian instrument, and actively contribute to its promotion and continuation. It highlights BookCity’s commitment to nurturing emerging artistic talent and connecting different parts of Iran through shared cultural heritage.
The oud (also known as the Barbat) is an ancient stringed, plucked instrument deeply rooted in Iranian music history. Its significance has gained international recognition, with the skill of crafting and playing the oud being jointly inscribed with Syria on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2022 (1401 in the Iranian calendar).
The call for submissions for the 2nd Qeshm National Oud Festival was announced in February 2025 (Bahman 1403). Musicians from various age groups were invited to submit their works for the competitive section of the main festival. These submissions were rigorously evaluated by an esteemed international panel of judges, comprising renowned masters such as Mohammad Reza Ebrahimi, Negar Bouban, Hossein Behrouzinia, Ahmad Beit Sayyah, Hamid Haseli, Mohammad Reza Darvishi, Shahram Gholami, Mohammad Reza Fayyaz, and Morteza Karimi from Iran, along with Dr. Mehmet Bitmez from Turkey, Tareq Jundi from Jordan, and Naseer Shamma from Iraq. The diverse composition of the jury underscores the festival’s aspiration for international standards and cultural exchange.
The closing ceremony and main events of the “Route of Oud” festival series were scheduled to take place from April 13 to 16, 2025 (Farvardin 25 to 28, 1404) on Qeshm Island. The presence of audiences and enthusiasts at these events is viewed not just as attendance, but as a collective homage to Iran’s rich musical culture and a crucial source of encouragement and motivation for the country’s promising young artistic talents.
As part of this national journey, we invite you to view the image report covering the fifth “Route of Oud” program, which was held at Malmir Hotel in the historic city of Yazd, a central stop on this nationwide celebration of the oud. This event, like others in the series supported by BookCity, reinforces the connection between Iran’s diverse regions and its unified cultural identity, showcasing how traditional music continues to resonate across the country.
Tags: Oud Festival, Yazd, عود
