A Setar hardcase

This instrument case, owned by Amir, an Iranian musician, arrived empty, but its interior held the outline of his Persian Setar, central to the classical musical traditions of Iran. For Amir, his Setar is not simply an instrument, but his most precious possession and the core of his artistic identity. He carried it across borders, airports, and checkpoints, from Iran to Romania, protected by this hardcase.Before leaving Iran, Amir worked as a music teacher and performer in Esfahan, until censorship made it impossible for him to teach or perform freely in Iran.In 2011, he was invited to Romania for the George Enescu Festival, where he could return to the stage after years of silence. He later returned to Iran but worsening repression forced him to leave the country permanently.The Setar, held close during each crossing, accompanied him throughout his migration journey to Europe.What Amir donated is not the instrument itself but its hardcase. It symbolises protection: of the instrument, of memory, of the freedom to keep making music across borders.