TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has said that the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra will stage a concert on Sept. 6 at Persepolis, the UNESCO World Heritage site near Shiraz, to mark the orchestra’s 100th anniversary.

Speaking to ISNA on Wednesday, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri confirmed that his ministry had issued the permit for the concert, adding that Armenia’s culture minister and the orchestra will visit Iran at the invitation of Tehran.

“This will be a rare event symbolizing cultural convergence and conveying a message of peace and friendship between the peoples of Iran and Armenia,” Salehi-Amiri said, according to ISNA news agency.

The announcement comes a year after a concert by Iranian vocalist Alireza Ghorbani at Persepolis drew widespread debate over the appropriateness of hosting musical performances at the ancient site.

Asked about the continuation of such events at heritage sites, Salehi-Amiri said the ministry had introduced regulations for concerts and cultural programs. “We already hold concerts in Niavaran [a historical complex of royal palaces and gardens], and tribute ceremonies were recently organized at Sa’adabad palace complex….,” he said.

Ghorbani’s concert at Persepolis in 2024 was the first of its kind at the site and was organized under the supervision of heritage specialists to address concerns about potential damage. The event, however, triggered public debate but set a model for performances at historical venues.

Officials have argued that staging concerts at heritage locations can promote cultural tourism and boost the economy, citing international examples such as performances at Egypt’s Giza pyramids, Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Moscow’s Red Square, the Acropolis in Athens, and Venice’s St. Mark’s Square.

However, some Iranian heritage enthusiasts have criticized the practice, warning that the lack of suitable infrastructure, sound vibrations, and large crowds could endanger historic sites.

Persepolis, also known as Takht-e Jamshid, situated in the Fars province of modern-day Iran, stands as a testament to the grandeur of the ancient Persian Empire. Constructed primarily during the reign of Darius the Great in the 6th century BCE, Persepolis served as the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, one of the most powerful empires of the ancient world.

AM