Closing Ceremony of Koocheh Music Festival Canceled Amid Pressure

The highly anticipated closing ceremony of the Koocheh Music Festival, held in southern Bushehr from February 21 to 26, was unexpectedly canceled due to alleged pressure from security institutions.

Despite having permission, the closing ceremony was not allowed to proceed. The organizers announced the cancellation of the event without specifying a reason for it.

"In reality, we have persevered, though it seems we stumbled at the final step," the organizers said. "Tickets for the two shows scheduled on the last day will be refunded," they added.

The Koocheh Music Festival returned for its third edition this year after a four-year hiatus due to various reasons.

Founded by writer Ehsan Abdipour and his brother Idris Abdipour, the festival debuted in February 2017.

The concept for the festival came from Ehsan Abdipour, a local writer and screenwriter from Bushehr, who envisioned uniting artists from across Iran to celebrate shared cultural roots and promote ethnic music.

The festival focuses on strengthening the connection between people and regional songs.

Musician Mohsen Sharifian, who was scheduled to perform alongside Ecuadorian musician Leo Rojas, expressed his disappointment over the cancellation of the closing ceremony, lamenting the missed opportunity for Bushehr's residents to appreciate art.

He also mentioned other groups and artists who were unable to perform at the festival.

In the days leading up to the festival's conclusion, reports emerged of a ban on outdoor music performances, with some journalists attributing it to the "intolerance of certain individuals."

The festival has also received criticism over its treatment of women.

A woman living in Bushehr, who had previously attended the festival, chose not to participate this year due to what she perceived as the organizers' neglect of women's struggles.

In an interview with IranWire, she expressed her belief in the organizers' dedication to the region's culture, describing them as "honorable" individuals.

However, she criticized the festival for its behavior towards women and labelled it a "predominantly male-centric event."

According to her, women attending the event were obliged to adhere to mandatory hijab regulations, a practice she found to be discriminatory.

She noted that women were conspicuously absent from official music performances and side programs, questioning the rationale behind participating in an event that imposed restrictions on women.

Reflecting on her past experiences at the festival, she highlighted instances where consultations with local authorities were prioritized while women's concerns were sidelined.