ARGHAVAN AGIDA
I was born in Iran during the Iran–Iraq War, in a time marked by unrest and insecurity.
My father was an artist and an author, which made my family even more vulnerable.
All artistic professions were limited after the revolution and millions of people had to flee the country for this reason.
My family and I first fled to Azerbaijan, then to Germany and in 1989 we reached our new home, Sweden.
A new journey began in 2010, when I as a singer got the opportunity to participate in one of the biggest Persian music competitions, "Googoosh Music Academy" in London.
To stand as a female soloist on stage and to participate in a competition was something unique since it is forbidden in Iran and such women’s talent, creativity and expression is today punished by censorship and oppression.
Therefore, I found my calling to be their voice.
Since then, I have worked with women’s rights in different projects by highlighting their strength, talent and perspectives through artistic expression, where the women’s participation is central.
In 2016, my pilot film was selected by Salma Hayek for the international platform
Chime for Change, recognizing my work as part of a global movement advancing women’s voices through storytelling.
Since 2014, I have been developing and filming my debut feature documentary, based on over 200 hours of secretly filmed material captured during multiple journeys to Iran.
The film documents underground female singers and the risks they take to express themselves under repression.
(working process)
In 2014, I published an anthology, Zan (meaning woman in Persian), where I collected and showcased the inspiring stories and struggles of nine women in Iran. In the touring music show with the same name, I share my personal experiences growing as an artist and also about the music in Iran before the revolution.
Between 2014 and 2019 I was also the Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Women National Committee in Sweden.
The idea for my project ARTDOM came when I started to further reflect on the boundaries and injustices that women experience around the world; something that can feel distant yet still is so close.
How do women define freedom, feminism and equality?
Hundreds of thousands of people globally have so far been able to follow the process through social media, TV features and exhibitions. All this work has proven how great an impact we can all have together and that hope and justice is a cause for us all.
My wish is to be able to continue building bridges between different countries, share more women’s voices and that all who want to will have the chance to follow this eventful journey that has become my life mission: to give women around the world a stronger voice together, and where every step counts.
Together with Erik J. Laeskogen, Arghavan Agida produced a powerful concert held two years ago in Oslo, created to show unwavering support from Norway for those fighting for their freedom. This remarkable event united a diverse group of talented artists—including Helene Sandvig, Nader Izadpanah, Amanda Delara R. Nikman, Ingrid Olava Brænd Eriksen, Maria Ima Karlsen and
Ane Brunvoll—who came together to use their voices in solidarity.
