TEHRAN- The anthem section of the 21st edition of Imam Reza (AS) International Festival is set to welcome a large number of students from schools across the country, the organizers have announced. 

During a press conference held in Tehran on Tuesday, Seyyed Mojtaba Zabihi, the secretary of the festival’s anthem section stated that this segment is fully dedicated to the school students. 

"We are anticipating a significant turnout in this year's festival, building upon the success of the last edition which saw 36,000 students from 450 anthem groups participating in three different sections," Zabihi said.

He highlighted that the festival prioritizes fair judging, with different grade levels being assessed separately in the general section. 

He elaborated on the new addition of the People's Choice section, encouraging public engagement in selecting the standout groups in the street performances category. Furthermore, gender-specific and grade level-based assessments will take place in the competitive section.

The upcoming festival will showcase eight captivating anthem productions originating from provinces like Lorestan, Khuzestan, Zanjan, Kermanshah, Mazandaran, and Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari, each infused with local melodies and accents that will be unveiled in the forthcoming days, he noted. 

For the first time, the festival has assigned the provinces total autonomy in manufacturing their respective works, nurturing their distinct musical expressions and traditions. 

"We are pleased to feature two Persian works specifically tailored for boys in Mashhad and girls in Golestan province," Zabihi added.

The festival's closing ceremony is scheduled to take place at the revered shrine of Imam Reza (AS), offering pilgrims the chance to immerse themselves in the melodic offerings, he mentioned. 

The anthem festival is organized in close partnership with the Ministry of Education to create a platform for students to showcase their talents, he said and added: “The fusion of diverse regional elements and educational objectives underscores the festival's commitment to nurturing artistic talents and promoting cultural unity.”

The Imam Reza (AS) International Festival is held annually in various provinces of the country as well as in several other countries.

This festival encompasses various fields such as articles, plays or screenplays, produced shows, stories, visual arts, books, literary texts, poetry, press and digital works, and radio and television productions.

The festival will come to an end in Mashhad on May 19, 2024 that marks the birthday of Imam Reza (AS).

SAB/