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IRGC and hardliners step up pressure to halt Urmia Grape Festival

2026.09.15, 14:18
IRGC and hardliners step up pressure to halt Urmia Grape Festival

As the 9th Urmia Grape Festival (Uzum Festival) has drawn large crowds with Azerbaijani traditions, dances, and music, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and hardline elements of the Iranian regime have intensified pressure to stop the festival.

Gunaz.tv

The campaign follows a similar pattern seen earlier over the Koroghlu ceremony in Tabriz.

The pressure is reportedly being exerted by hardline elements of the Islamic Republic and groups close to the IRGC. Officials in West Azerbaijan Province have also reportedly sought to prevent the festival from taking place. The apparent aim is either to cancel the event altogether or, at the very least, make this year its final edition.

Meanwhile, several media outlets aligned with these circles have attacked the event by asking: “Is this a grape festival or a wedding hall?”

In recent days, regime-affiliated figures have also held up placards at government-organized gatherings, describing the festival as the “promotion of immorality,” “sin in the presence of God,” and the “promotion of decadent Western culture,” while calling for it to be halted.

The pressure comes as Morteza Safari, Director General of Cultural Heritage in West Azerbaijan Province, and Aydin Rahmani, Mayor of Urmia, have said the festival provides an opportunity to preserve local traditions and customs, promote tourism, stimulate economic activity, showcase local potential, and increase social vitality in the province.

The 9th Urmia Grape Festival (Uzum Festival) will be held for 10 days through September 20 at Chichest Village, featuring various stalls offering grapes and grape products directly to visitors, along with cultural and artistic programs.

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