16th Bita Prize for Persian Arts: Sima Bina

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: A free ticket is required but does not guarantee a seat. Seating is first come, first serve to those with a ticket. Doors will open at 4:45 PM for Early Seating and 5:15 PM for Standard Seating. Any remaining seats will be released at 5:45 PM. Event will be in English.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Early Seating (4:45 PM)

A limited number of Early Seating tickets are available for this event. An Early Seating ticket allows you to select a seat from 4:45 PM until 5:15 PM on a first-come, first-served basis. After that time all open seats will be made available to those with Standard Seating tickets. Seats may not be held for those who are not present.

Standard Seating (5:15 PM)

The majority of the venue seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis to those with a Standard Seating ticket. Doors open from 5:15 PM until 5:45 PM for those with a Standard Seating ticket. Any remaining seats will be open at 5:45 PM. Seats may not be held for those who are not present.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• You must be able to show your Eventbrite ticket to gain entry, either the e-ticket or a print copy. Seats may not be held for those who are not present.
• A professional photographer and videographer will be taking photos and videos. By entering the venue, you consent to possibly appearing in the background of images and videos.
• Food and drinks are not allowed in Memorial Auditorium.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Sima Bina is a renowned Iranian folk singer, songwriter, and researcher. She is celebrated for her contributions to preserving and promoting Persian folk music and culture.

Sima Bina was born in 1945, in Khorasan, Iran. Her passion for folk music emerged from her childhood experiences, as she grew up surrounded by traditional Persian melodies and rhythms. She began singing at an early age and was particularly drawn to the rich tapestry of regional folk songs from different parts of Iran.

Her professional career grew in the 1960s when she started performing publicly and recording albums. Bina's distinctive voice and her ability to interpret traditional songs with authenticity quickly earned her recognition within Iran and abroad.

Bina is also a dedicated researcher and educator. Throughout her career, Bina has tirelessly worked to collect, document, and preserve Persian folk music, traveling to remote regions of Iran to learn from local musicians and record their songs. She has amassed an extensive repertoire of folk songs representing various ethnic groups and regions of Iran, from Kurdish lullabies to Baluchi melodies. She has published books on Persian folk music and has lectured at universities and cultural institutions around the world, sharing her knowledge and passion for Iranian musical heritage.

Bina's impact on Persian folk music extends beyond her own performances. She has mentored and inspired numerous musicians, both in Iran and internationally, and her work continues to influence the revival and appreciation of traditional Iranian music.

Despite the restrictions imposed on women's voices by the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s, Bina showed remarkable resilience and determination in preserving Iran's musical heritage. During this period, when cultural activities were heavily regulated, Bina took significant risks by organizing music workshops and clandestinely teaching Iranian women traditional music. These underground efforts played a crucial role in ensuring the transmission of Persian folk music to future generations and empowering women to express themselves through music, despite societal constraints.

Despite facing challenges and restrictions in her homeland, Bina has remained steadfast in her commitment to preserving and promoting Persian folk music. Her contributions to Iranian cultural heritage have earned her numerous accolades and awards, solidifying her legacy as one of Iran's most beloved folk singers and cultural ambassadors.

ABOUT THE BITA PRIZE FOR PERSIAN ARTS:

The annual Bita Prize for Persian Arts is awarded by the Stanford Iranian Studies Program to an artist of Iranian ancestry whose work, in the course of their lifetime, has exhibited singular achievements in both the realm of aesthetics and in the essence of defending the rights of artists to create, free from any fetters. The recipient is invited to Stanford University to give a public lecture and receive the prize. Since its inception in 2008, the Bita Prize has been awarded to outstanding Iranian scholars, artists and creators.

Stanford is committed to ensuring its facilities, programs and services are accessible to everyone. To request access information and/or accommodations for this event, please complete https://tinyurl.com/AccessStanford at the latest one week before the event.