Art of Defiance: Creative Resistance In the Struggle for Freedom in Iran

In the face of the tyranny of the Tehran regime over the past four and a half decades, art, music, and literature have emerged as vital tools for resistance for the oppressed people of Iran. These creative expressions stand out as powerful means for challenging the ayatollahs and laying the groundwork for the building of a free Iran in the future.

The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) hosted on Wednesday, during Passover, the Jewish celebration of liberation and freedom, a special webinar exploring the role of culture in the Iranian people’s ongoing fight against persecution, showcasing the work of artists whose courage, vision, and talent engage and inspire audiences both within Iran and across the globe.

The speakers, a diverse group of artists and activists, shared their craft and insights, and offered a vision and hope for change in Iran and a new regional reality of peace, prosperity, and interfaith harmony.

The discussion was moderated by Nova music festival survivor and CAM Public Affairs Officer Natalie Sanandaji, who heads CAM’s Iranian Coalition, a network offering Iranian diaspora activists a platform to unite and engage in collaborative initiatives to educate and mobilize the international community against the tyrannical Tehran regime.

“It’s clear that art isn’t just a form of expression — it’s a powerful tool for resistance, survival, and liberation, and your courage gives us hope for a better future,” Sanandaji told the panelists.

The speakers lineup included: writer, director, and producer Azadeh Nikzadeh; global pop artist Ashley Zarah; artist Hooman Khalili; singer and songwriter Alexa Tubian; multidisciplinary artist Aylene Fallah; and actress and poet Boshra Dastournejhad.

Watch a full recording of the webinar HERE: