Violins over violence: Tehran's musicians fought fear with music

Middle East Eye

24-06-2025

As Israeli bombs fell and Iran's air defence systems lit up the skies over Tehran, music drifted through parts of the city.
In the middle of an empty street in Tehran, a young man stood playing the violin. As fear of Israeli air strikes drove people indoors at nightfall, his music carried through the quiet neighbourhoods, offering residents a moment of solace and peace.
'I just wanted to remind my fellow citizens that the lovely sound of love and music is louder than the terrifying sound of bombs and explosions,' the musician, who didn't want to share his name, told Middle East Eye.
'I'm not into politics at all, but I wanted to give love to the people around me and remind them that life is still going on.'
A sense of hope and relief swept across the country on Tuesday when US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. But for 12 days, Iranians endured an onslaught they never imagined living through, as Israel repeatedly targeted cities across the country - especially Tehran.
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During that time, at least 610 Iranians were killed and 4,746 others wounded by Israeli strikes, according to the Iranian health ministry.
Musical reflection
After a video of the violin player went viral on social media, Elmira, a 25-year-old woman, decided to do something similar.
'Since the war started, I've been thinking about how I could help those around me who, like me, are living through these terrifying sounds,' Elmira told MEE.
'It's during times like this that it's important to show one that we're together, and that we can get through it.
'When I saw the video, I told myself I had to do something similar. If I can help even a few people forget what's happening for a moment and feel a little calmer through music, then I've done something good.'
While bombs fall on Tehran, a man plays this timeless song in the empty streets.
امشب در سر شوری دارم
Tonight, a thrill runs through my mind,
امشب در دل نوری دارم
Tonight, in my heart a light shines,
The sound of a violin resists the explosions of war. pic.twitter.com/pAaUz51v7d — Ali Hashem علي هاشم (@alihashem_tv) June 18, 2025
Still, taking part in such acts during wartime was not easy. With Israeli air strikes targeting residential and civilian areas, simply stepping outside, especially at night, comes with real danger.
Yet after videos of people playing music on the street circulated on social media, the idea was welcomed by many. On the morning of 17 June, two artists - musician Parsa Moslehifar and painter Armin Mokhtari - held a joint rooftop performance in Tehran.
Moslehifar, already known for his symbolic piano pieces during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, played against the backdrop of the city's skyline. Beside him, Mokhtari painted scenes of residents leaving Tehran, with the Milad Tower, one of the capital's most iconic landmarks, rising in the background.
Through their performance, the two artists created a visual and musical expression of the fear and uncertainty that war and destruction bring into people's lives.
Art healing war wounds
For many Iranians, who historically hold a deep cultural connection to art, such scenes are powerful.
Elham, a cultural journalist in Tehran who only shared her first name, told MEE: 'Music, art, and painting are the exact opposite of war, destruction, and bombs. Iranians are peaceful people, and history has always shown that.
'Creating this kind of art not only helps heal the wounds left by war, but also prepares us to move forward after all this bloodshed.'
'Music was just an excuse to remind ourselves how much we love one another'
- Mehrzad, music student
Mehrzad, a 24-year-old music student at Tehran's Art Academy, spoke about the impact of these performances: 'We're a group of classmates from university, and like many others, we've tried to do what we can to support our fellow Iranians since the war began.'
He said their group includes musicians who play piano, violin, guitar, and traditional Iranian instruments like the santur, tar, and setar.
'We decided to go out, individually or as a group, and play music in different parts of Tehran, especially at night,' he said.
Mehrzad said the public reaction has been very positive, and he believes the war has made people in Iran care more deeply for each other.
'Music was just an excuse to remind ourselves how much we love one another, and how we never leave each other alone in hard times,' the musician said.