On Friday, September 4th, we invite you again to an open microphone in Vår Frue - öppen kirke. A tradition that has offered countless surprises and touching moments. The evening starts at 6 pm with a guest artist playing a set, followed by a short break before the microphone is open to everyone.
This Friday we look forward to hearing Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat! They are two Iranian sisters who have achieved international recognition for their vocal art. Since 2003 they have collaborated with Erik Hillestad and Kirkelig Kulturverksted, and an ever-growing Norwegian audience has been touched by their expressive voices.
Their artistic vision is to continue and develop Persian vocal art, allowing it to be fertilised by impulses from contemporary music styles and various genres they encounter on their journey through many collaborations, not least with Norwegian jazz musicians. The musical expression they have developed is independent of borders between states, religions and ideologies.
It is also imperative for them to promote Persian poetry from classical poets like Hafez and Rumi to contemporary poets like Forough Farrokhzad and Mohammad Ibrahim Jafari.
Despite the fact that women's solo singing has been banned in Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Mahsa and Marjan have become powerful ambassadors for artistic freedom and women's rights in Iran.
In the concert in Vår Frue Kirke on September 4th we meet them in collaboration with bassist Gjermund Silset and Armenian duduk player Harutyun Chkolyan. The concert is produced by Erik Hillestad.
Would you like to read a text, a poem or sing/play a song?
Please notify the program manager of your interest. If you would like accompaniment, please send a message to musician Knut Størdal on tel. 909 89 754 in advance.
The event is supported by the Bergesen Foundation.
Last modified: 06/08/2026
Fonte: Hva skjer kalender
