In 1979, following the success of the Iranian Islamic revolution, women were forbidden from singing in public. Many singers fled. Amongst them was Hayeden.
Recently, the documentary “Hayedeh – Legendary Persian diva,” was released on DVD in Europe. The film was inspired by the occasion ofthe 20th anniversary of the death of one of the greatest modern day Persian singers, Hayedeh.
After the revolution, the Iranian exile community grew in the West. Hayedeh fame grew in Europe and the United States. “The Persian Maria Callas” they called her and saw her as an equal to popular opera singers and pop stars such as Enrico Caruso and Frank Sinatra. She toured all over the world and in 1985 also came to sing in Israel. In 1985 she sang “Shavua Tov” (Hebrew: ‘a good week be upon you all’). “I love you”, she says on film and declares in Hebrew at the Yad Eliyahu stadium. She sings her hits, then faces the audience: “I want to express hope for the future for Iran and Israel.” Her statement is followed by thunderous applause. She adds, “in memory of the fallen Israeli and Iranian soldiers , let’s all be silent for oneminute.” At the end of the concert, the national anthem “Hatikvah” was played on Persian musical instruments. Hayedeh cheers, “Long live Iran, Long live Israel!”
