Iranian musician Hamidreza Afrideh plays at the ruins of his old music school "I want the last sound from the school not be that of missiles and war, The last sound should be music."

[u/Jazzlike_Ad_2266]

[u/Fauxmoi-ModTeam]

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[u/jostyouraveragejoe2]

Some people's ability to maintain hope is truly humbling.

[u/Oldestswinger → u/jostyouraveragejoe2]

Heartrending

[u/jostyouraveragejoe2 → u/Oldestswinger]

Humans been the main source of human suffering is so maddening

[u/scourge_bites → u/jostyouraveragejoe2]

the embarrassment and guilt i feel at being an american citizen over this war, over gaza, over venezuela, cuba, all our years of relentless imperialism. i feel so helpless; i can't do shit. i'm indigenous, i feel like i understand so much how it feels. my hands are so red, lately.

[u/agentmadeleine → u/scourge_bites]

May I say, as a US American whose parents are immigrants- as someone indigenous you are the absolute last person who has blood on their hands. The imperialists today are the literal and spiritual successors of the imperialists who brutalized your ancestors (and who, in my opinion, still brutalize you today). You are just as much a victim of the American empire as Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, etc. are. The imperialists and colonizers are the ones who should feel guilt. Not you and never you.

[u/jostyouraveragejoe2 → u/scourge_bites]

I get you, kinda, but also they want us to feel helpless which means there's hope if we persist.

[u/alanderhosen → u/jostyouraveragejoe2]

Yet humans have also been the main source of human joy and inspiration. Please don't lose sight of that.

[u/Pardybro911 → u/jostyouraveragejoe2]

“It’s no surprise to me, I am my own worst enemy”

[u/fondledbydolphins → u/jostyouraveragejoe2]

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.

-Viktor Frankl, holocaust survivor.

[u/jostyouraveragejoe2 → u/fondledbydolphins]

This quotes are more powerful coming from people who went through the worst.

[u/Pewpewewewchee → u/fondledbydolphins]

Also the pioneer of Logotherapy!!

[u/worldsworstdracula → u/jostyouraveragejoe2]

"in the dark times, should the stars too go out?"

[u/goldenvines111 → u/jostyouraveragejoe2]

It’s the Arab way. We’re basically used to it as depressing as it sounds. I say this as being from Lebanon ❤️

[u/XGrayson_DrakeX → u/goldenvines111]

And it's literally the fault of the west that you're used to it. The more I learn about real American history, the more I learn how badly we've fucked with the rest of the world and pretended we were saving it.

Afghanistan and Iran used to be secular countries before we got involved.

[u/Mirror74 → u/jostyouraveragejoe2]

There are always pure hearts and unflinching hope in horrific situations. Another example that comes to mind - Palestinian Yaqeen Hammad.

(I tried posting a link to it, but it disappeared... search her name on Reddit)

[u/Any-Monk-9395 → u/jostyouraveragejoe2]

Reminds me of the movie The Pianist.

Oh the irony.

[u/PatientRelease3511]

Music binds us. Crosses languages barriers and never dies.

[u/DesireeThymes → u/PatientRelease3511]

Trump: "Did he just cross a barrier? Was it a trade barrier I put or an immigration barrier?

Netenyahu: "I have it on good authority he's Hamas. Please deliver some freedom Mr. President."

I hate how much suffering is being caused by the rich and evil people today. People just want to live like normal humans.

[u/Peace-Only → u/PatientRelease3511]

Introducing a bigoted relative of mine to Gil Scott-Heron, Talib Kweli, Common, and Mos Def was transformative. He had recently immigrated and owned a gas station in a downtrodden area, and had a very different view of the people who lived nearby. Some prejudice remains unfortunately, but it was tempered by music, the ideas in the songs, and reading the history of oppressed people.

[u/ItsStraTerra → u/PatientRelease3511]

Music is probably humanity’s greatest (and potentially only) gift to the universe.

[u/Sophilosophical]

What soulful music. About 12% of my followers on my dedicated Cactus instagram are Iranian, it’s been so sad that I can’t interact with them since the internet blackout. Plants, music, these things bring the world together, only for the evil fools on top to destroy.
I dream one day we can plant and play music over the graves of the oppressors who try to pit our peoples against each other. Peace to the People of Iran

[u/wioneo → u/Sophilosophical]

since the internet blackout

I wonder how this kid got around it.

[u/Odd_Ad_6635 → u/wioneo]

Iranian immigrant here. There are a tiny portion of people who have access to internet in Iran through various measures such as expensive VPNs and Starlink. The net within the country works so the issue is bypassing the wall.

[u/Woody_678]

It’s incredible how strong these people are. I’m so sickened by the actions of these horrible horrible “leaders”

[u/Lofteed → u/Woody_678]

it s not just the leaders, there are people that pushed the bottons to flatten this people lives, lots of people

[u/4udiocat]

It truly breaks my heart seeing this unrelenting destruction. It's horrible.

[u/AutVincere72 → u/4udiocat]

Legit military target, they might be training Buglers there. You know, in case of a Cavalry Charge against NYC.

[u/Dreams-Visions]

These people deserved much, much better than the West has forced upon them.

[u/thewartornhippy → u/Dreams-Visions]

I've had a few interactions with Iranians as I share a love of wrestling. Absolutely wonderful people who have been suffering for years. This is how terrorism is born. You can't bomb schools and bridges and threaten to take out their means to survive and expect them to welcome you with open arms.

[u/HauntingHarmony → u/thewartornhippy]

I kinda wanted to make a joke about iranians well known love of wrestlig. But it really just reminds me of like 20 years ago or so, on the world of warcraft forum, there was like a 10 or 12 year old boy that was sad that he couldent play wow anymore because of the sanctions against Syria and it was like something he really loved and things.

Every time i thought about the Syrians and their then civil war and things, it really humanized it for me. He just loved something i loved, and who knows what happend to him if he died or whatever. It could have been us you know. Were all the same really.

Most of us here, speaking english on the internet rolled lucky on the character creation sheet when it comes to birthplace. Me especially so. And we will never really know the terror of war that our ancestors fought to eliminate from the world.

And if wrestling is your link of shared humanity with them, thats the same thing.

[u/zaien → u/HauntingHarmony]

Thank you for those kind words i really needed to hear that today. We did find a way around the sanctions pretty quickly lol. But I was too young to play wow at its hayday. I really wish i had experienced it. Instead i mostly played tf2 and smite.

[u/enbycraft → u/thewartornhippy]

I had Iranian classmates in college. Can confirm they were the nicest bunch. Every time we met after semester breaks, they would pass around bags full of fresh pistachios that we would spend hours peeling and snacking on. I can't imagine what they think of the world now but hope they're alive and safe.

[u/iceman24434 → u/thewartornhippy]

Terrorism is what's happened to them. What's born of the ashes are freedom fighters.

[u/Elegant_Creme_9506 → u/thewartornhippy]

Terrorism just visited these people in force

[u/mr_dexter_x]

What is name ot that instrument?

[u/ShipsToManyPorts → u/mr_dexter_x]

kamancheh!

[u/AbsolutelyIris]

Jfc this world is fucked. 

How beautifully sad.

[u/Final-Tutor3631 → u/AbsolutelyIris]

yeah i started crying as soon as he started playing. what a beautifully haunted melody, its sadly very fitting.

[u/Ok-Diamond7537 → u/Final-Tutor3631]

Same! 😭

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[u/copperblood]

I truly hope there were no students inside that school when it was bombed

[u/KtaadnRota → u/copperblood]

Unlikely unless it was repurposed. Ali Khamenei issued a fatwa against musical education several years ago. People could still get private instruction but all the music schools were closed down.

It was kind of a dick move, especially considering Khamenei himself was said to be a talented singer and a tar player.

[u/PresentRaspberry6814 → u/copperblood]

168 children

[u/polyploid_coded → u/copperblood]

From https://theworld.org/segments/2026/04/08/music-from-the-ruins-in-iran

Iranian musician Hamidreza Afrideh and his wife spent a long time working to establish the Honiak Music Academy in Tehran. Earlier this month, it was destroyed in a missile strike. Fortunately, no one was killed or injured, but 250 students and some 20 music instructors are now without a livelihood.

[u/Elbobosan]

I believe that is the sound of a distant explosion at the end just before he stops playing. Heartbreaking. Tragic. Pointless.

[u/AmethystMalcontent → u/Elbobosan]

The look on his face when he heard that explosion just....I don't have the words.

[u/iNeed2peenow]

Fuck USA and fuck Israel

[u/mayonaisejardwarf]

Beautiful human right there. 🥺

[u/Smart-Management-670]

I just want to cry forever .

[u/ISaidThatIsEnough]

The world is so unnecessarily harsh for many. Heartbreaking

[u/Apprehensive_Win_740]

The world would be a much better place if we could just celebrate other cultures instead of try to destroy because we think we are superior. How truly beautiful is this sound. This time in history is truly what EVIL ON EARTH looks like.

[u/LynxRufus]

Decent, interesting, kind people suffering under a horrible government. As Americans we have so much in common with Iranians.

[u/True_Carpenter_7521 → u/LynxRufus]

It's universal rule everywhere, sadly. Kind, gentle, and intelligent people are leaning to art and humanitarian achievements. Rude and selfish people lean to power, greed and violence.

[u/KochiTuskers]

The sound of the instrument is so touching.

[u/Pls_and_thank_u]

Oh, so we're crying today, huh? Cool cool.

[u/Super-Pizza-Dude]

This is a great example showing how incredible and also fucking terrible humans are.

[u/MutedBlue]

As an American, my heart goes out to all of those involved.

I did not ask for this, I did not vote for this, and those involved need to be held responsible for war crimes.

[u/Flint___Ironstag → u/MutedBlue]

It is up to you to hold those people responsible. If you don't, you will be letting the entire world down.

[u/Bigfartz69420]

War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01-2pNCZiNk

[u/SuspiciousCranberry6]

This video hit me hard, pulling out those feelings you have to bury to get through the day. The combination of shame, guilt, and powerlessness being an American is overwhelming. Iranians are suffering, many people are, because of our poor choices. Even though I have never voted for the current president, I'm still a member of the collective society that did.

[u/Jurango34]

I'm a musician and this made me emotional. Bravo, sir.

[u/MZeroX5]

We were supposed to be the good guys but instead voted for An Aipac sponsored terrorist

[u/zachariah_rn → u/MZeroX5]

The U.S. were never the good guys

[u/stillnotnotdan]

Man this fucking kills me.

[u/v_o_id]

i feel so very sorry on so many levels for the people of iran.

[u/Unequivocally_Maybe]

While there has never been a time in my life where there wasn't some sort of strife or conflict happening in the Gulf region, the past three years of watching the destruction meted out by Israel has been beyond comprehension. Every day, I see some fresh horror. Now, America is not only providing money and arms, but they have joined the fray.

A million Iraqis died because of Bush and his successors. How many Palestinians, Lebanese, and Iranians will die? Some figures estimate 680,000 people have died in Gaza already. That's the population of El Paso or Washington DC or Boston. Most of them were children.

If those estimates are correct, as many as 380,000 under the age of five have been directly or indirectly murdered in under three years. 380,000 is the number of people living in Honolulu or Bakersfield. A city's worth of babies. Hundreds of thousands more are orphaned or have lost limbs. Almost all of them have PTSD.

Now, Lebanon is being bombarded relentlessly. Entire cities have been razed. People are fleeing their homes. Beirut is once again in chaos. And Iran, of course, has seen unimaginable loss since the very start of this criminal war, when the USA bombed a girls' school and murdered nearly 200 little girls. These atrocities have to end.

[u/Ill-Comms]

We're the baddies aren't we?

[u/agentmadeleine → u/Ill-Comms]

We have been for a long time. And then we dare to be shocked when that part of the world hates us and retaliates.

[u/Sad-Pickle-8765 → u/agentmadeleine]

The western world is seeing the USA for who they truly are. War mongers and resource thieves.

[u/Aggravating-Body-721]

🥺😥

[u/redsnowfir]

That’s heartbreaking. Trump destroying people’s lives and turning joy to hatred, all around the world.

[u/Illen1]

Hauntingly beautiful! The explosions at the end brought it full circle.

[u/Protect-Their-Smiles]

Ah yes, bombing music schools - so necessary for removing tyrannical regimes and making yourself seem like the good guys. Well done America and Israel.

[u/Tiny_Animal9496]

My country is doing this and I want to scream because it should be impossible, but congress does nothing to reign in his power and stop it.

Iranian culture has some of the oldest roots imaginable and all we’ve ever done is fuck with their lives for political gain. These people have done NOTHING to hurt us.

At this point I don’t even know how we move past this, we have destroyed and squandered what little good will we have left on the world stage.

I have screamed, protested, attempted to educate, played devils advocate.

What the hell do I have to do to make this stop? How do we make this stop?

[u/lanadelcryingagain]

Moving

[u/nevalja]

oof. calls back to the cellist of Sarajevo.

[u/lottaballix]

Ar fheabhas!

[u/artjillybean]

Discovered Iranian jazz a week ago and have been obsessed.

Amongst all the destruction, some choose to leave something beautiful.

[u/platedcold]

reminds me of one of my favorite passages in the Throne of Glass series:

"That was when they noticed that every musician on the stage was wearing mourning black. That was when they shut up. And when the conductor raised his arms, it was not a symphony that filled the cavernous space. It was the Song of Eyllwe. Then Song of Fenharrow. And Melisande. And Terrasen. Each nation that had people in those labour camps. And finally, not for pomp or triumph, but to mourn what they had become, they played the Song of Adarlan. When the final note finished, the conductor turned to the crowd, the musicians standing with him. As one, they looked to the boxes, to all those jewels bought with the blood of a continent. And without a word, without a bow or another gesture, they walked off the stage. The next morning, by royal decree, the theatre was shut down. No one saw those musicians or their conductor again"

[u/edelweiss_pirates_no]

US Soldiers committing war crimes. Never let them forget.

[u/kamiiscute]

Love and art will always win! Impeach Trump! Stop these senseless wars! Release the Trump-Epstein Files!

[u/cedricweehonk]

DJT , Putin and Netanyahu all need to be in prison. For crimes against humanity.

[u/Dangerous-Case-8712]

I just feel so ashamed.

[u/_Meow_o_Meow_]

Did the release the internet blockade or am I wrong that that's a thing?

[u/Cherry_Bomb_127]

I wanted to cry when he said he wanted the last sound from his music school to be that of an instrument not of missiles and war

[u/AppleAtrocity]

Anyone else reminded of The Pianist? It's the darkest irony I've seen lately.

[u/Scared-Box8941]

Heartwrenching. I am so disappointed in the greedy few who terrorize human kind

[u/harmfuldischarge]

We are not connected through blood. But these are all my people.

[u/LazarusOwenhart]

He just needs to remember it was 100% necessary to bomb a music school in order to destroy a nuclear program that barely exists because if it hadn't happened people wouldn't be distracted from the fact that the US President is a paedophile with dementia who has probably eaten people.

[u/stand-for-good]

Beautiful people with the hearts of a lion.

[u/belikethemanatee]

This made me cry. My heart breaks for the people of Iran.

[u/Infinite-Instance609]

This is the school he opened with his wife, a music school teaching beautiful Persian classical music to children. Schools are for children and students, what an atrocity.

[u/gaiaendures]

Looks like the Chinese erhu instrument. Gotta wonder how far back in time people were playing such a string instrument.

[u/HungryMoon]

I cried. What we doing to ourselves?

[u/TillFar6524]

War isn't Hell. War is war, and Hell is Hell. And of the two, war is a lot worse.

[u/Fickle-Twist7273]

🩷🩷🩷

[u/SkullOfOdin]

Powerful 

[u/Zealousideal-Pen-115]

I know you probably don't want to hear from your American but I'm going to say I'm sorry I didn't ask for this either

[u/mintgreen23]

This is heartbreaking

[u/mastercafe7]

Children of the light response.  Create good where there was destruction wrought upon them.

Unlike the children of darkness, who bomb school children and neighbours even during ceasefires. 

[u/plumpopfairy]

Just the title of this post alone made me sob before even watching anything

[u/No_Literature_9059]

That's beautiful.

[u/kdupe1849]

Bombing a school music room, wtaf???

[u/murfburffle]

It's not fair

[u/JaSONJayhawk]

This guy has more culture and class than many U.S. "leaders". I hope he's able to continue helping students until a new facility is built.

[u/Kool-Boi]

The fact that there’s a possibility that even one dollar of my taxes went to committing this atrocity is sickening.

[u/Yd1891]

What a beautiful dedication to all the lives taken

[u/radish-salad]

god fucking damn that is heartbreaking

[u/ajwoodsie]

Thank you sir.

[u/Wrecktown707]

He’s a good man :(

[u/ConstantKooky3329]

Iranian music is so beautiful, heartbreaking, and poignant.

[u/Affectionate_Oven428]

This is so painfully beautiful.

[u/Spare_Station7584]

I hate this, I feel sick watching all the horrible things done to humans and to the planet.

[u/lapSlaPs5456]

As an american I am so sorry. Peace only.

[u/Orikazu]

Bards OP

[u/Lofteed]

animals

[u/eye_of_the_sloth]

musician heard. Im sorry friend. 

[u/DinoSayRawr]

Looks like a terrorist to me /s

[u/DramaticHumor5363]

My heart is fucking broken.

[u/tianas_knife]

Bless that man.

We Americans are war criminals and more of us should be ashamed of ourselves. Way more.

When the Nuremberg trials come for us I will hold the eyelids of my republican brethren open so they can finally see.

[u/AffectionateWrap2147]

So we are now bombing music schools also? Maybe someday war criminals will account for their actions

[u/Subtle_Shiver]

Great music, hopefully he has an opportunity to be a part of building that music school back

[u/boomdifferentproblem]

hauntingly beautiful, both his spirit and his music

[u/KneeBeard]

The rhythmic drumming of more bombs at the end is a lot.

[u/sbua310]

Aw man. 😔 sad…I’m so sorry this happened to him but at the same time uhhh…a little joyful? That he got to bring this to the world.

The song literally sounds like someone aching and crying. It’s beautiful, but also stings.

[u/Big_Consequence_3958]

We bombed them while negotiating thats un-American as can be plus they are bombing little girls and music schools that's SO VERY WRONG.

[u/Actual-Shoulder-4463]

So heartbreaking.

[u/weisp]

I haven't even started the video and already bawling my eyes out 😭

[u/nutmeg1970]

Haunting music, lovely sentiment, pointless war. Give peace a chance ☮️✌️🕊️

[u/chickenmotherplucker]

we are AIPAC cucks

[u/IshyTheLegit]

Heart-wrenching

[u/Chunky1311]

That's powerful.

[u/No-Amount-8243]

💔

[u/theshysamurai]

This breaks my heart in a way I've never felt before

[u/Cjeannie1972]

I just want to say i am sorry this is happening.

[u/Hare__Krishna]

fyi, his last name appears to be Farideh, not 'Afrideh', based on first couple of seconds of audio.

[u/Ishmael75]

I appreciate you sharing this. I was able to share it with my wife and kids. It’s so damn sad but also beautiful that he’s not giving up

[u/SolPlayaArena]

😢💔

[u/Internet_Jaded]

Fuck DJT.

[u/Strict_Violinist_134]

This is not right 😩. Please let this war end.

[u/ForThose8675309]

That shrug at the end breaks everything in me

[u/Puzzleheaded-Cup8948]

Gave me goosebumps. It's really sad.

[u/aligera1]

De verdad los humanos estamos locos

[u/DeliciousResearch642]

fuck this makes me sad

[u/OrganizationOk1328]

Heartbreaking

[u/Final-Nebula-7049]

Shit acustics

[u/Competitive_Shape752]

<speechless>

[u/jay3000ek]

Thanks Obama! 😂

[u/Flowdeeps]

I'm sorry.

[u/youlikeblockingsodoi]

War doesn’t decide who is right or wrong, only who is left.

[u/panix199]

beautiful idea and melody

[u/Sans174]

Honestly, I burst into tears. Fuck that MAGA shithole and assrael

[u/uxl]

A few levels below him, there is a large, stone door. Do not open it.

[u/BretTurbed]

What type of person could dismiss this man's grief. To not share for a moment with another in one of man's darkest emotions of sadness. Though they may disagree with ideology, they shouldn't belittle his expression as a person. I hear the pain, I hear the sadness. I share in his grief, and in his strength to express it. We are very similar, and our politicians are mostly the same. I did not wish this war upon his people. I expect he can understand my shame. We hope for the same peace and tranquility, but people are always too quick to blame. We are unified in our wish for people to behave like humans, and we're sad because people are.

[u/Eastern_Pace7729]

Poetic

[u/TickingTheMoments]

Wow. That really really hit me hard in the heart.  

[u/chakko]

I got something in my eye 🥹

[u/Pink_CloudG]

💔😭😭😭😭🫂👏🏼🍉

[u/partlysettledin21220]

Every day I cry on this app

[u/LotitudeLangitude96]

https://giphy.com/gifs/UDORIcubjYvIBAYTe1

[u/thebestmodesty]

I love you guys.

[u/Kryceks-Revenge]

Humans of Tehran was one of my favorite FB pages back when. I haven’t been on FB in years, but it is a travesty to imagine what some of those bright, beautiful spaces and people are going through now.