Videos of the Tamburi International in Iran 2008

In our Gallery are some Videos of the Tamburi International in Iran 2008. Enjoy!

The somewhat different advanced course

A drum workshop in Isfahan/Iran from the 10/05/08–16/05/08

The Official Side

The trip was organized by Murat Coskun on the German side and Mr. Fatehi in Iran, in each casewith the team and sister-cities Freiburg and Isfahan. So, we travelled on official invitation from the city of Isfahan as musicians into Iran to learn from each other together in exchange. Persian master-drummers offered workshops for participators from Europe and Persian percussionists were introduced to a wide variety of frame-drum traditions in workshops from European frame-drummers.

Altogether there were 24 participants from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, England and Poland in our group. We were accompanied by world-musicians Murat Coskun, Andrea Piccioni and Nora Thiele as well as Feri Tabrisi - our angel for everything. We received lessons in a beginners and anadvanced group in the Persian instruments tonbak (a cup-drum) from Morteza Ghasemi and daf (a frame-drum with inner laying small metal-rings) from Hamid Sheykhbahaei.The times 10am - 11:30am / 12pm - 1:30pm and 4pm - 5pm / 5:30pm - 6:30pm however was notalways maintained, neither the start nor the end. On one day, a discourse about the Persianmusic-history was first on the agenda, we then had the opportunity to try the santur (Persian chopping board) and a ney (flute). This was organised by the members of the Safa Ensemble.

In Between

You're now on vacation and suddenly you're greeted by a representative of the ministry. After awhile there grew a feeling that our stay meant more for the province Isfahan as we had originallybelieved. Regardless of this fact, these co-workers appear only on special occasions - just as inGermany - here however to greet you and to say goodbye, so we really experienced a relaxedatmosphere during the workshops. Novum in Iran: We were taught in assorted groups. We were even allowed to create the final session together with the Iranians. The tonbak class was outstanding. Mr. Ghasemi managed to teach his book laid out for 7 months intensive practice into a didactically well prepared, one week course (practicing is not going to go astray anyway) in addition he also gave us different instructions for improvisation. The daf class was quite different, things here were somewhat chaotic again and again - despite support from his schoolgirls, yet they were not permitted to step out of their master's shadow. Our behavior, above all the female participants, was "rather" strange for our sheik. It has nevertheless been fun and I have learned so much. Sometimes, I had to grin a little about the course. Unfortunately, public concerts were prohibited shortly before. Our planned concerts were therefore to be cancelled except for one public/non public concert: Anyone could come, but it was not publicised. The hall was well filled nevertheless. Also here, the officials came and it was recorded for television. Private recordings were not allowed for Iranians, but for us - yes. Many of us therefore suddenly had one camera more for some time! There were still some points that amazed me very much, this however would blow eveything out of proportion and probably create a wrong picture. My positive impressions prevail by far. I have never seen a country with so many friendly people. Almost everyone you met greeted you. Many tried to initiate conversation. With the wide spread of the English language (sometimes even German) no problem. Even important traffic signs were bilingual. To learn about another culture was very interesting. The bazaars, the groomed cities, the traffic-chaos (everyone watches out for each other) – simply splendid. And it was also not a problem for me to walk off alone. In the subsequent culture-tour in which 14 from our group also participated, we were able to learn a little more about the country and people, for example a 6000 year old castle and the famous Persepolis, 50 years older than the Acropolis; an invitation from our entire group for tea - whilst casually passing by.

Do we have something like this in Germany?

Impressionen

Part of the group playing DAF

Andrea Piccioni, Nora Thiele, Murat Coşkun

Tonbakteacher  Morteza Ghasemi and son

Dafteacher Hamid Sheykhbahaei, Tonbakteacher Morteza Ghasemi

Glad to travel to Iran

It is extraordinary what was achieved through this trip and this festival. Again and again, it is the artists who build bridges over human and ideological borders. When people meet each other directly without prejudices, then there is only this: play, interest and joy in the experience of the other.For the musicians and participants from Europe and Isfahan, it was a wonderful experience.Isfahan is a beautiful, alive and richly historic city with wonderful people.It shall be valued as a signal of communication and warmth with which interest the musicians and participants have met each other. All of this was carried by Iranian music and the frame drums from Europe.That men and women can have lessons in one room together, that concerts take place at all, all of that is not natural.Freedom always begins in the thinking of the people and is always ready to conquer the established. For that, open communication and tolerance is necessary.The Iranian woman Feri Tabrisi from Freiburg was a well-informed and wonderful companion.The hosts from Iran have put in all imaginable effort, for which one can be grateful.

I would like to accentuate the warmth, the youthfulness, the deep musicality and virtuosity of the Iranian musicians who mostly gave outstanding classes.Many young Isfahaners were thrilled to receive lessons from Murat, Nora Thiele, Andrea

The exchange should undoubtedly continue and be deepened.

Yours sincerely

Quay Hansen

Nürtingen