Migration, Creativity and Integration among Iranian Musicians in the UK: Seminar at the Reid School of Music, University of Edinburgh

Join us for an exploration of the intricate relationship between music, migration, and social integration as we delve into the experiences of Iranian musicians in the United Kingdom. In this talk, Amin will uncover how music serves as a dynamic catalyst for both connecting and disconnecting individuals in the context of migration. He has meticulously examined this phenomenon through an interdisciplinary lens, weaving together ethnomusicology, psychoanalysis, and migration studies. By spotlighting the journeys of Iranian musicians in the UK, the talk challenges conventional notions of cultural integration and invites us to reconsider prevailing assumptions about the interplay between host communities and migrant identities. By delving into the personal stories of these musicians, our speaker navigates the profound complexities of creativity, subjectivity, and social connections. How do these musicians bridge the gap between their distinct cultural backgrounds and the multifaceted contexts they find themselves in? Drawing from ethnographic interviews, observational research, and a sophisticated application of psychoanalytical frameworks, Amin explores how Iranian diasporic musicians navigate their sense of self and belonging through their artistic endeavours. Notably, the talk introduces the innovative concept of linking "loss" and "anxiety" as pivotal drivers that shape both artistic expression and the formation of individual identities among migrant musicians.