From Iran to Seville: The story of Farnaz Ohadi, a unique voice in Flamenco

Farnaz Ohadi is an artist whose journey has been marked by the fusion of cultures and the search for her own voice within flamenco. Raised in Iran, in an environment where music was a clandestine act, her passion first led her to Western classical music and later to flamenco, to which she has devoted herself with absolute dedication. In this interview, Ohadi talks about her roots, her training in Seville, and Breath, her new album, where she intertwines flamenco with Persian music.

Farnaz, tell us about your beginnings in music.

Music has been part of my life since childhood. My father played the accordion, my grandmother the violin, and at home, music was a constant presence despite being forbidden. Everything was done in secret, which made it feel magical. My training was in Western classical music—Beethoven, Chopin, opera… But when I moved to Canada in 1990, I started dancing flamenco. It wasn’t until 2001 that I decided to start singing it. And in 2010, I realized that my flamenco needed to have its own voice.

To deepen your knowledge of flamenco, you decided to move to Seville. What was that experience like?

It was a drastic change in my life and in my way of understanding flamenco. In Canada, I only had access to traveling teachers and online videos, but in Seville, I truly grasped the soul of flamenco. I learned about flamencology, about why each palo has a specific structure and meaning. These details were what I was missing and what have nurtured me since I arrived here. It was the best decision for my artistic growth.

In Breath, your new album, you blend flamenco with Persian music. How do you balance both traditions?

It’s impossible for me to choose between the two. I love flamenco and Persian music equally, and when I think of one, I inevitably reach the other. Flamenco is the perfect vehicle for expressing my experiences and emotions, but I couldn’t do it without integrating my Persian essence. I have worked hard to make the fusion feel organic.

Your song lyrics are very personal. How did you approach the writing process?

My lyrics are not translations of traditional flamenco. They are my own stories, carefully chosen. In the case of seguiriyas, for example, for me, they symbolize the cycle of life, resurrection, which is why I titled one of my songs Resurrección. My natural language is Farsi, and although I don’t sing flamenco in English, I would translate Lorca because I feel a deep connection with his poetry and the struggles he narrates, which are so similar to those in my country.

You worked with Antonio Najarro on the Longins music video. What was it like collaborating with him?

I have always admired him and never imagined I would have the chance to work with him. When he accepted, I asked him why, and he said, “Because our struggles are not so different.” We have both faced many no’s and have kept going. It was an honor that he agreed to dance in a sevillana so special to me, which speaks of loss and love. It is a deeply personal piece, but at the same time, it is very flamenco and universal.

“Breath” is a very evocative title. What does it mean to you?

Breathing is the first action we take when we are born, the first act of life. This album is a testament to my choice to keep going despite all the difficulties. It is my way of claiming my space as an Iranian woman, my right to sing, to exist, to do something that many consider impossible.

Who is the audience you hope will connect most with your work?

I would like people to understand that flamenco is so deep and strong that it can embrace new ideas without losing its essence. It is more than an art form; it is an expression of the soul. My connection with flamenco is sincere, and it has changed my life. It has saved me. And if my music can make others feel something similar, then I will have fulfilled my purpose.

Farnaz Ohadi reminds us that flamenco is a universal language, capable of embracing other cultures and continuing to evolve without losing its roots. Breath is her testimony of resilience and passion, a bridge between East and West woven with duende and authenticity.

Photographs from the album presentation at Hacienda de Orán – Utrera (Seville)