Interview with Farya Faraji: Byzantine Music, History & Tradition | First Time in Romania

🤝 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors Smith & Smith 🔗 https://online.smith.com.ro/ro/ RTVD.ro 🔗 https://rtvd.ro/ Euroetnic Podcast Studio 🔗 https://euroetnic.ro/ In this special episode of the Armonia Lumina Podcast, we sit down with Farya Faraji — musician, ethnomusicologist, composer, and researcher — widely known for his significant contribution to the rediscovery and popularization of Byzantine music and medieval musical traditions from Eastern European and Oriental cultural spaces. Born between cultures — Iran, France, and Canada — Farya speaks about his journey toward music, the formation of a voice capable of crossing languages, styles, and different musical systems, as well as the artist’s responsibility toward preserving the sonic heritage of the past. We discuss Byzantine music today, how it can be understood and experienced beyond the liturgical space, the Maqam system, and the profound connection between history, orality, and creation. We learn how he came to interpret old Romanian songs, how he discovered Anton Pann and Barbu Lăutaru, and what the process of documentation means to him before each performance. An episode about cultural memory, authenticity, and music as a universal language, beyond borders, eras, and identities. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Intro 2:03 – Farya Faraji and his passion for music 7:16 – Farya’s first YouTube channel as a composer 11:00 – How does he adapt vocal styles when singing in multiple languages? 16:15 – The Christmas carol released by Farya 18:20 – Byzantine music today 22:25 – A melody composed by Farya in the Maqam system 25:00 – Farya’s contribution to Byzantine music 27:40 – Farya and the Christian Caravan 33:23 – How did Farya discover “Leliță Săftiță” by Anton Pann? 37:50 – Other Romanian pieces interpreted by Farya 41:50 – How did he discover Barbu Lăutaru? 45:15 – Farya’s creative and research process 📲 Follow: Armonia Lumina 🔴 https://armonialumina.com/ 🔴   / armonialuminaong   🔴  / armonialuminaong   🔴  / armonialuminaong   Farya Faraji 🔴    / @faryafaraji.and.worldmusicians   🔴   / faryafarajimusic   🔴 https://open.spotify.com/artist/16cQ2... ❤️ Support Our Work Support our efforts to produce video content promoting Christian education and Byzantine music. Donate: https://armonialumina.com/doneaza-2/ Buy me a coffee: http://bit.ly/3KJHf3O