TEHRAN – The Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts in Iran, said that to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Alkestra, a concert will be held at the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra on September 6th at Persepolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Shiraz.
Speaking to Isna on Wednesday, Reza Salehi Amiri confirmed that his ministry has issued a concert permit, adding that the Armenian Minister of Culture and the orchestra will visit Iran at the invitation of Tehran.
“This will be a rare event that symbolizes cultural convergence and conveys the message of peace and friendship between the people of Iran and Armenia,” said Salehi-Amiri, according to the Isna news agency.
The announcement sparked extensive debate about the appropriateness of hosting a musical performance on an ancient site a year after a concert by Iranian vocalist Alilezagorbani in Persepolis.
Asked about the continuation of such events on the Heritage site, Salehi-Amiri said the ministry has introduced regulations for concerts and cultural programs. “We have already held concerts at Nearbalan (a historic royal and garden complex), and the tribute ceremony was recently held at the Sa’adabad Palace Complex,” he said.
Golbani’s concert in Persepolis in 2024 was the first on the site and was organized under the supervision of heritage experts to address concerns about potential damages. However, the event sparked public debate, but set a model for performances at the historic venue.
Authorities argue that staging concerts at heritage sites can promote cultural tourism and boost the economy, citing international examples such as the Giza Pyramids in Egypt, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Red Square in Moscow, the Acropolis in Athens and the Square of the Saint Mark in Venice.
But some Iranian heritage enthusiasts have criticized it by some Iranian heritage enthusiasts who have warned that proper infrastructure, healthy vibrations and large crowds could put historic sites at risk.
The Persepolis, also known as Takht-e Jamshid, is located in the modern Iranian province of Faz and stands as evidence of the grandeur of the ancient Persian Empire. Built mainly during the reign of Darius the Great in the 6th century BC, Persepolis served as the ritual capital of the Achaemenid Empire, one of the most powerful empires in the ancient world.
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