´Women, Life, Freedom’ for Parastoo Ahmadi and all the courageous women in the world fighting for human and equal rights, education for girls, without violences in their life, and more than ever, it is our wishes for 2025 for all ! –Anne Bergheim Negre – President of University Women of Europe, on behalf of the UWE Board– |
On December 11, 2024, Parastoo Ahmadi made history by performing a groundbreaking live concert, streamed on YouTube, from a historic caravanserai in Iran. Without the mandatory hijab, this performance marked a bold act of artistic and personal freedom, quickly becoming one of the most-viewed and discussed events across Iranian social media.
In a heartfelt note on her YouTube channel, Parastoo shared her motivation: “I, Parastoo, am a girl who wants to sing for the people I love. This is a right I could not give up—singing for the land that I deeply cherish.”
Her performance featured a moving rendition of the classic song “Mara Bebous,” accompanied by talented musicians Ehsan Bayraghdar, Soheil Faghih Nasiri, Amin Taheri, and Amir Ali Pirnia. The concert captured a vision of a free and vibrant Iran, where women’s voices are celebrated, not silenced.
Parastoo’s courage is a continuation of her protest art, which gained widespread attention during the 2022 protests in Iran. Her earlier rendition of “Az Khoon-e Javanan-e Vatan” resonated deeply with the public and highlighted the role of music and art in movements for social justice.
This “Caravanserai Concert” stands as a powerful symbol of resistance, creativity, and hope for a future where freedom and equality prevail.