How 2 Iranian brothers in China use ancient music as a bridge through wartime

AdvertisementChina-Middle East relationsChinaDiplomacyHow 2 Iranian brothers in China use ancient music as a bridge through wartime

Amid deep geopolitical uncertainty, the Beijing workshop of Majid and Massoud Shamaeezadah preserves and shares Persian culture

3-MIN READ3-MIN Listen

Laura ZhouPublished: 7:00pm, 3 May 2026Updated: 7:23pm, 3 May 2026During a recent concert in Beijing, as Persian melodies flowed from ancient instruments played by Majid and Massoud Shamaeezadah, the Iran war was never far from the twin brothers’ minds.

“Every time we play, we think of our country, Iran,” Majid said afterwards. “Our music is very deep. It carries many feelings at once: sadness, happiness and imagination of home.”

The concert, held at the brothers’ newly opened music workshop, featured five family instrumentalists whose individual performances merged into a single seamless harmony that transported the audience.

Advertisement

Against the backdrop of the Middle East conflict, the Shamaeezadah brothers are using their workshop to preserve and share Persian culture, offering traditional music as a sanctuary and bridge between Iran and China amid deep geopolitical uncertainty.

02:45

Indonesian seafarer among 20,000 stranded for months as Strait of Hormuz remains blocked

Indonesian seafarer among 20,000 stranded for months as Strait of Hormuz remains blockedSince the US and Israel launched joint air strikes against Iran on February 28, staying in touch with family members in their hometown of Isfahan has become increasingly difficult.AdvertisementAdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x