The improvised music festival “Show of Hands” returned after a three-year silence due to the pandemic, not in its original home of Iran’s capital, Tehran, but in the largest city of Türkiye Istanbul, finding a new home in the Istanbul art center Arter, this change offered a fresh stage for the festival’s brand of music. Now the organizers are getting ready for the 2024 festival edition with the activities and performances being announced later this month.
Interview with the Founding Director & Festival Producer: Ramin sadighi
Ramin Sadighi, founder of Hermes Records, the founding director, and the festival producer mentioned why they changed the country of the festival after their three-year hiatus. “After the pandemic economy became so unstable and inflation raised in Iran.”, as a result, with income solely in Iranian Rials, the festival organizers couldn’t risk paying foreign artists expecting payment in Dollars and Euros. He started looking for a new venue in 2021 and in 2023, after the pandemic finally eased, he chose Istanbul. The main reason he selected Istanbul between four other cities (Rimini in Italy, Vienna in Austria, Muscat in Oman, and Dubai in the UAE) was the connections he had with local partners, including Mr. Kerim Selçuk, CEO of A.K. Müzik. Mr. Sadighi also added, “Istanbul is close to Tehran, and I was hoping I could bring some of my audience to Istanbul, which was a success.” He also explained, “There was not a cultural distance between us, and I did not get any cultural shocks in the process.”
When asked about the economic problems in Türkiye, “Even though the inflation is not stable as well, activities continue to move forward and there are fewer risks compared to Iran …. at least I was relieved in one aspect. In Iran, I was never relieved.” Mr. Sadighi replied. He also expanded the topic by mentioning how the sponsorships for the festival are provided, “In Iran, most of the embassies support the artists from their countries.” He asked the people he knew from Iran to introduce him to their colleagues with similar roles in Istanbul and this was another reason Istanbul was a better choice compared to the other cities being considered for the festival because none of them had these connections. He noted, “In addition to audience I could also bring some sponsors to Istanbul from Iran.”
Talking about the 2023 edition of the festival and the first one in Istanbul, he explained about difficulties they encountered since they could not do promotions until only a month before the event due to the Türkiye–Syria earthquake.” Thinking about the festival at that time was ridiculous “. And he said the reason they did not cancel the festival was “to show life continues, and we should not eliminate hope of living”. In the end, he was happy with the result of their first festival in Istanbul.
Finally, he said that this year’s festival announcements would be made on January 15th at a launch party. Their plans include a movie that is going to have its debut premiere at the festival.
interview with Festival PRODUCER: Kerim Selçuk
Mr. Kerim Selçuk, CEO of A.K. Müzik and another festival producer, who was one of the main reasons Mr. Sadighi brought his festival to Istanbul, started by explaining his relationship with Mr. Sadighi, “Ramin is a good friend of mine for more than 20 years.” They started working together since both of them have similar music labels, Hermes Records in Iran and A.K. Müzik in Türkiye.
When asked about the differences between this festival and other festivals in Istanbul, Mr. Selçuk replied, “First, this is an improvision festival. Improvision is different from composed arts.” He also briefly compared improvision with real life. “I think it is a unique one in some respects, we are trying to build a community.” He added. Mr. Selçuk also mentioned many of the artists who perform in this festival interact with their audience even after their performance compared to other festivals where the artists leave as soon as they are finished.
On how they are going to promote the festival for a newer audience he said,” These days physical papers and magazines don’t help. So, we use social media … we will start with one or two posts a day, and we will post more near the festival.”
Mr. Selçuk explained about working with another nationality and culture. “I don’t think there are general cultural differences … and we don’t have any obstacles because of cultural differences.” In his final words he said, “It is a very high profile, nice, sincere and unique festival. “And how such a festival with the concept of improvision is something he has not seen anywhere else. He ended by saying “I am happy to be part of it.”
2024’s Show of Hands: A New Chapter of the festival
This year’s festival events and performances will be announced on January 15th for and for more information you can visit Show of Hands Festival – Show of Hands Festival (sohfest.com)
Amirsam Ghadessi 
Leave a comment