Nowruz, meaning “new day,” is an ancient festival that marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian and Afghan Solar Hijri calendar. Celebrated for over 3,000 years, Nowruz is one of the longest ongoing traditions. It symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and the renewal of nature. The festival is celebrated by people from many different religious and cultural backgrounds (including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan). For the 11th edition of the Diaspora Dialogues, we will celebrate and reflect on Nowruz (Persian New Year) through various musical performances, each representing different aspects of the holiday. Following the performances, we will engage in an interactive dialogue with the audience. Before and after the event, ArtoCraft will host a market featuring regional goods.
More performers will be announced soon.
We are working with ArtoCraft to bring you handmade goods made by producers and artists from around the world. There will be space to check out the market before AND after the dialogue and festivities.
The amazing ensemble of invited guests will share their connection to and experiences with Nowruz though several performances and a short dialogue.
More time to visit the market, followed by time to mingle in the café on the ground floor.
More about ArtoCraft market and Nesa Farid’s calligraphy
ArtoCraft is a Netherlands-based platform dedicated to the world of handmade art and craftsmanship. Established a year ago, ArtoCraft’s mission is to empower artisans, build their brands, and market their unique creations. ArtoCraft believes that the true value of art should go directly to the artists, not intermediaries. Through a online marketplace, they provide a seamless space for buying and selling handcrafted pieces, ensuring that each item finds the appreciation it deserves. Beyond digital sales, ArtoCraft actively organizes exhibitions and events, showcasing talented artists from around the world and celebrating the beauty of handmade artistry. ArtoCraft is more than a marketplace—it’s a movement to support, uplift, and connect the global artisan community.
Nesa Farid is an Iranian artist living in the Netherlands, blending Eastern calligraphy with abstract painting to create vibrant, storytelling pieces. With over eight years of experience in calligraphy, painting, and tattoo art, Nesa has also worked as a Persian calligraphy instructor for over two years.
More about the performers
Khorshid Dadbeh is an accomplished Iranian musician, specializing in the Tar, Tanbour, and Setar. Born in 1995 into an artistic family, she began her musical journey at an early age, learning to play the Setar alongside her father. She later pursued formal music education, first at the Conservatory of Tehran and then at the graduate level in Iran, where she honed her skills and deepened her understanding of traditional Persian music.
Mehmet Polat is a master Ud player, composer, ensemble leader and soloist who tours internationally. From Africa to India, Persia to the Balkans, Contemporary to Jazz, he has been combining various musical genres with his Alevi Spiritual, Anatolian Folk and Ottoman classical music background. Through his improvisations, compositions and his own take on a variety of musical styles, Mehmet is constantly searching for new musical paths and inspiration. After many years of research, he invented his own technique to advance beyond the limitations of his traditional instrument. With this new left hand technique, he can play more advanced and modern pieces. He has also designed an ud with two extra bass strings to broaden the range and function of his instrument.
Sava Beats, a percussionist hailing from Tabriz, Iran, began his rhythmic journey at the tender age of five. His early education centered on the Qoltuq Nağara, a traditional Caucasian drum, playing alongside his parents and sister in a family band. This foundation sparked a lifelong fascination with rhythm. He expanded his repertoire to include a diverse range of instruments, mastering the Daf, Qaval, Bendir, Cajon, and Conga, among others. Sava’s musical explorations brought him to Amsterdam, where he now contributes his journey with various bands and theater performances. His diverse background has led him to seamlessly combine different styles and contemporary art forms in his music.
Safa is a trans-disciplinary artist and researcher, exploring the intersection of identity, art, and mysticism. Through her lived experience as a trans Iranian in the Netherlands, she has dedicated her work to decolonizing the western approach to spirituality, with a focus on Tarot and Sufism.
Junun is a poet and performer who practices traditional dances of Central Asia mostly Tajikistani, Uzbek, and Uyghur dances. “I dance and I like people to join dancing and share moments of joy and togetherness.”
Somaia Ramish is an Afghan poet, writer, and advocate who has dedicated her life to fighting for democracy, equality, and human rights. Born in 1986 in Herat, Afghanistan, she and her family sought refuge in Tehran, Iran, during the first Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. After the fall of the Taliban, she returned to Afghanistan, where she spent two decades working tirelessly to help build a more just and inclusive society. However, in August 2021, when the Taliban regained power, Somaia was forced to flee her homeland once again, leaving behind her dreams and the life she had built. Now living in the Netherlands, she continues her journey of resilience and advocacy. Through her words, poetry, and voice, she remains committed to being a voice for Afghanistan—especially for its women, young girls, artists, and poets who continue to suffer in silence. Her personal website reflects this ongoing struggle, a testament to both the pain of displacement and the unbreakable will to stand up and fight for a better future.
Sara Rashidian is an accomplished Iranian pianist and artistic leader with a focus on cross-cultural musical projects. She combines her expertise in performance and production to create engaging and meaningful artistic experiences. Active in both the Netherlands and Iran, she is dedicated to fostering creative collaborations and promoting cultural exchange. Sara is also the co-organizer for this edition of the Diaspora Dialogen
