Authorities prevented the Araz Azari Music Ensemble from performing the dance segment of their show during their latest live show in Tehran.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that Rahim Shahriyari, the head of the ensemble, reported on his Instagram page: “We had all our permits, but on the morning of the performance, a ministry announced that folkloric movements are to be omitted.”
Shahriyari added that he and the producers contacted the authorities to no avail.
He also said the decision-maker was probably much higher than the ministry of guidance.
The concert had been performed last week with the dance piece included, and the permit for the performance was issued by the ministry of guidance.
The Araz music ensemble has been performing Azeri music for close to 20 years.
In the past two years, the extremist factions of the Islamic Republic establishment have been targeting concert and music performances across the country, shutting down shows for various excuses, including the presence of female musicians and now dance pieces.
