A Legacy of Excellence and the Promise of Renewal

I had been at the University of Tehran for only a few years when the then Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts took the visionary initiative to establish a scholarly journal dedicated to promoting high-quality artistic research. In 1995, the first issue was published, covering the areas of the arts taught within the Faculty. Soon that publication, Honar-Ha-ye-Ziba, became the pioneering university-published scientific art journal in Iran. Although it followed a rich tradition of earlier general art periodicals—such as Sharaf, Andishe va Honar, Honar va Mardom, Cinema, Honar va Memari, and Khorous Jangi, all of which are now discontinued—it marked a new chapter in academically grounded art scholarship. I have been involved with the journal in various capacities since its inception and have witnessed its remarkable growth—so substantial that it eventually gave rise to three specialized publications in distinct artistic fields. Among them, Honar-Ha-ye-Ziba: Honar-Ha-ye-Namayeshi va Moosighi (Journal of Fine Arts: Performing Arts and Music) was first published in 2009 under its new name. Its mission has been “to promote both theoretical and empirical research across the full spectrum of theatre, drama, cinema, radio, classical and contemporary music, traditional Persian music, new media, and the aesthetics, philosophy, and pedagogy of the performing arts”. Like many academic publications, the journal has faced its share of challenges—balancing financial constraints with the pursuit of excellence, complying with national regulatory requirements, and adapting to ever-evolving international standards. Yet it has remained steadfast in its commitment to the spread of artistic discourse and research, emphasizing quality and scholarly integrity. Now, in the Spring 2026 issue—coinciding with our cultural celebration of the Iranian New Year (Nowrouz) and the promise of renewal—we are pleased to introduce a new feature: an editorial to be written by members of our editorial board or invited guest editors. As we complete the final stages of proofreading and layout, we are proud to note that the Journal of Fine Arts: Performing Arts and Music (JFAPAM) is currently the only Iranian university-published scientific journal in both music and performing arts to have achieved an A rating from the relevant national evaluation committee. Reflecting on the elements that have contributed to this accomplishment, I must first acknowledge our heritage as part of University of Tehran,Iran’s first modern university. I am equally grateful to our dedicated colleagues who manage the daily administrative and editorial responsibilities with care and professionalism; to our peer reviewers, whose rigorous evaluations strengthen every published article; and, above all, to the members of our editorial board. Drawn from diverse academic institutions within Iran and abroad, these past and present members have not only lent the journal their credibility but have also guided it steadily toward ever higher standards. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to our growth. With their continued support and guidance, Honar-Ha-ye-Ziba: Honar-Ha-ye-Namayeshi va Moosighi will hopefully continue to flourish as a leading publication in the fields of music and performing arts.