TEHRAN-The closing ceremony of the 1st Qeshm Oud Festival was held on Friday at the Portuguese Castle in Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf, and winners of different sections received their awards.

Organized by the Tourism and Cultural Department of Qeshm Free Zone Organization, the festival aimed at improving the cultural level related to the music of the region with regard to the popularity of the oud among the tribes living in the southern coasts of Iran, ISNA reported.

The oud is a traditional musical lute-type instrument played in Iran and Syria. Crafting and playing the oud was added to the UNESCO list jointly for Iran and Syria in 2022.

The musician places the short-necked instrument on their leg, fretting with one hand and plucking the chords with the other. In both countries, the oud consists of a pear-shaped sound box made of walnut, rose, poplar, ebony, or apricot wood. Crafting an oud takes up to 25 days, during which the wood is left to dry and harden and is then treated with water and steam for about 15 days to build its durability.

Ouds are crafted in different sizes for different-sized bodies and decorated with wooden carvings and mosaic patterns. They typically have five twin strings, though a sixth string can be added. With its bass and baritone ranges, the instrument can produce melodic and harmonic tones. The oud is played solo or in ensembles and is accompanied by traditional songs in a wide range of events. Its practice is transmitted through apprenticeships and in musical centers, colleges, and universities in urban areas. Crafters are mostly men, although in recent years young women have developed an interest as well.

The beautiful Qeshm Island overlooks the Strait of Hormuz and is the entrance to the Persian Gulf and the Sea of ​​Oman. This island, which is the largest island in the Persian Gulf, is one of the most strategic islands of Iran. It is world-renowned due to its proximity to the Indian Ocean, oil and gas resources, petrochemical and refinery units, offshore equipment, and port facilities for large ships as well as for its refueling services for ships crossing the international waterway and its energy and biotechnology parks. Moreover, the natural and historical features of the island have made Qeshm one of the main tourist destinations in Iran.

SS/SAB