TEHRAN — The 41st Fajr Music 
Festival concluded on Saturday at Vahdat Hall, bringing together Iran’s top musicians, cultural officials, and an unprecedented experiment in digital music. 
The ceremony celebrated the winners of the prestigious Barbad Awards, honored veteran performers, and introduced Iran’s first artificial intelligence singer, “Avin.”
The closing event, attended by Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyed Abbas Salehi, offered a rich lineup of performances, award presentations, and tributes to the country’s musical heritage. 
Among the highlights was the unveiling of the festival’s pop compilation album, “41 Works,” featuring 41 vocalists. The album combined the talents of established artists with emerging voices, reflecting the ministry’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of performers. 
Produced under the guidance of the Ministry’s Music Office, the project was designed to celebrate national unity and promote music that underscores Iranian identity and cultural cohesion in the wake of recent national events.
Festival director Arash Amini opened the ceremony by emphasizing the broader mission of the festival. “This festival was about more than music performance—it was about respecting artists, prioritizing quality, and highlighting both Iranian classical music and regional folk traditions,” he said. 
Amini noted the festival’s focus on children’s music, with performances designed to engage young audiences through Iranian instruments and educational storytelling, creating an immersive experience for the next generation of music lovers.
A key segment of the evening paid tribute to veteran musicians from across Iran. Honorees included Shamsi Behrouz from Sistan and Baluchestan, Ashur Galdi Garkazi from Golestan, Shafi Khalkhali Kermani from Kermanshah, and Bahman Eskini from Lorestan, each representing the nation’s diverse regional music traditions. 
The Mogham Tabriz group, accompanied by a young child performer, brought these folk melodies to life, weaving traditional instruments and vocals into a captivating live experience for the audience.
The Barbad Awards recognized excellence in pop, fusion, and traditional music. Among the winners were Meisam Khodayari, Best Pop Composer; Mahmoud Salehi, Best Pop Singer; Ali Ahmadian, Best Fusion Composer and Singer; and Nima Zahedi, Best Traditional Music Composer. Best albums were awarded to Sevgi Naghmeleri (fusion) and Shab o Baroon (traditional), underscoring the festival’s dedication to honoring both contemporary and classical forms of music.
The evening’s finale marked a historic moment in Iranian music: the introduction of Avin, a virtual AI singer created by an Iranian tech company. Combining live instrumentation with a digital vocal avatar, Avin performed patriotic-themed music, offering a glimpse into the future of music technology in Iran. The AI singer captivated attendees, bridging traditional performance with cutting-edge innovation.
Hosted by the Iranian Music Association with support from the Ministry of Culture’s Music Office, the 41st Fajr Music Festival successfully balanced tradition and innovation, highlighting regional music, contemporary pop, and even the frontiers of AI-driven performance. 
By blending tributes to heritage with forward-looking projects, the festival demonstrated the evolving landscape of Iranian music, celebrating both its rich past and its rapidly advancing future.