What was once a sanctuary of melody, where the strains of the sitar and santur reverberated through lively classrooms, now lies in ruins—smouldering concrete and shattered dreams. Tehran’s Honiak Music Academy, a cherished institution for over 250 students ranging from children to the elderly, has been virtually obliterated following an Israeli airstrike on 23 March.
Founded and painstakingly nurtured over fifteen years by Iranian musicians Hamidreza Afarideh and his wife Sheida Ebadatdoust, the academy was more than a school—it was a cultural home. As conflict escalated in the region, the couple had prudently closed the academy to ensure the safety of students and staff. While the strike caused no loss of life, it destroyed the couple’s life-long savings and the tangible fruits of years of labour.
Reflecting on the devastation, Afarideh told reporters, “Overnight, everything we built has vanished. The guitars, sitars, modern sound-controlled walls—nothing remains.” The direct financial loss has been estimated at approximately $42,000, a significant sum in Iran’s war-stricken economy. In addition, at least 24 young teachers and staff members have been rendered unemployed.
The building, located in eastern Tehran, also housed a maternity clinic along with several small businesses. According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the strike was aimed at an intelligence headquarters of the Quds Force situated in the vicinity. Yet for Afarideh and his students, the destruction represents more than just structural damage—it is a blow to centuries of Iranian culture and artistry. For many pupils, the academy was a “second home,” a place of learning and emotional refuge.
Summary of Losses
| Category | Nature of Damage | Estimated Financial Impact | Social/Cultural Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musical instruments & equipment | Complete destruction | $42,000 | Loss of artistic resources |
| Teachers & staff | Job loss | – | Social and economic strain |
| Academy building & facilities | Structural destruction | – | Cultural heritage impacted |
| Additional businesses | Partial to complete loss | – | Local economic disruption |
The strike underscores the vulnerability of cultural institutions amid armed conflict. Afarideh emphasises that in Iran, “Culture and art are deeply intertwined with people’s identity. Preserving this music for future generations is absolutely essential.”
Amid the ongoing turmoil, the question remains: when—or if—the Honiak Academy can be restored to its former role as a haven of music and learning. For now, the notes of sitar and santur are silenced, leaving behind a stark reminder of war’s indiscriminate toll on both human life and cultural heritage.