Eurovision: Exploring singer Barbara Pravi's Persian heritage

On this week's Middle East Matters, we're joined by a singer whose voice has been compared to the legendary French singer-songwriter Edith Piaf. Barbara Pravi, whose mother is Iranian, hails from a family of musicians and artists. In May, she'll be flying the flag for France in the Eurovision Song Contest. She tells us more.
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[@xrw5629]

Good luck at the Eurosong Barbara. Much love from Serbia 🇷🇸❤️

[@solobano570]

See how well immigrants do! No need to be nasty to them!

[@emilcph]

Smarate sa tim zastavama i nacionalizmom.

[@xrw5629]

@@emilcph Jel ti brani neko da okacis svoju?

[@eliaswilliamshiman7717]

Iran ♥️

[@Stateira_Cyrus]

Barbara Pravi is proud of her Persian (Iran) and Serbian heritage. Barbara Pravi " I feel Serbian because I am in love with my Serbian grandfather. I’m in love with the history of my family. I feel Iranian because I love poetry, like Persian poetry. " Barbara Pravi is a lovely lady and she has a beautiful voice. We are proud of her :) 🇮🇷❤️🇫🇷❤️🇷🇸

[@mmr1137]

Iran has one of the oldest civilisation in the world. Greetings from Serbia

[@Persian_Queen_Cassandane]

Thank you :)

[@malolelei3937]

hvala from Iran. Greeting to Serbia

[@mmr1137]

Thank you dear friends 😊

[@powemaxextreme4723]

Such a nice personality. Love from 🇷🇸.

[@Persian_Queen_Cassandane]

Love Barbara Pravi from Persia/Iran, she is so lovely! We are proud of her :)

[@boombre]

In fact, there is very little Serbian and Iranian in it. Her parents were already born in France. The emigrants were not Barbara's parents, but both Barbara's grandfathers, who took French women as wives. Barbara's mom is half French and half Iranian, and Barbara's father is half Serb and half French. All this talk about the origin of Barbara is imposed by the media, which constantly remind of it. Naturally, Barbara, as a well-bred Frenchwoman, respects all her roots.

[@Stateira_Cyrus]

@@boombre She is proud of her Persian and Serbian heritage. Barbara Pravi " I feel Serbian because I am in love with my Serbian grandfather. I’m in love with the history of my family. I feel Iranian because I love poetry, like Persian poetry. " Barbara Pravi takes her stage name Pravi from the Serbian word Prava, in honour of her Serbian grandfather.

[@solobano570]

Ok, she is French, just like Damiano is Italian. But, in today’s horrible racist populist culture, it’s nice and important to see how big is the contribution of immigrants and their children to our society in general. She with Iranian and Serbian and Damiano with Albanian and Kosovar origin, and yet so French and so Italian. I think it’s wonderful and it should be celebrated. Right!?

[@SJ-cs7uf]

She is so lovely! She is very French (obviously being born and growing up in France), but I also like that she embraces both her Serbian and Iranian heritage. It was adorable hearing how she screamed "deda" passionately several times after Serbia gave her 12 points. I really like her voice and style. Her song "Voilà" truly represented French style, in that soft and delicate, yet strong, emotinal and passionate ways. It was the only good song and perfomance worthwile listening to and watching. 💙

[@Persian_Queen_Cassandane]

Yes, Barbara Pravi is half Persian ( Iran/Persia ) and half Serbian, and her nationality is French. She belongs to 3 great nations.

[@boombre]

@@Persian_Queen_Cassandane In fact, there is very little Serbian and Iranian in it. Her parents were already born in France. The emigrants were not Barbara's parents, but both Barbara's grandfathers, who took French women as wives. Barbara's mom is half French and half Iranian, and Barbara's father is half Serb and half French. All this talk about the origin of Barbara is imposed by the media, which constantly remind of it. Naturally, Barbara, as a well-bred Frenchwoman, respects all her roots.

[@Stateira_Cyrus]

@@boombre She is proud of her Persian and Serbian heritage. Barbara Pravi " I feel Serbian because I am in love with my Serbian grandfather. I’m in love with the history of my family. I feel Iranian because I love poetry, like Persian poetry. "

[@antoinecadalen8355]

@@boombre She said in some interviews that she has Serbian, Persian, Polish and Algerian Jewish origins.

[@slobodantoskovic1354]

@@boombre Its not true. She is pure serbian girl because her father is serbian. It doesnt matter what cittizen ship she has. She coukd be born anywhere but she will be stil serbian and iranian girl. Rose is rose, wherever you put it in ground. The same is with blood. You can not change it if you change passport. Sorry friend but its true. Why people from Africa doesn have white skin even they were born in France?? So, Barbara is Serbian girl born in France or French girl with serbian origine. Choose.

[@GGTanguera]

She is beautiful, stylish and very talented. She got the best from all her ancestors. We are so proud of you! 🇮🇷 🇷🇸 🇮🇱 🇫🇷

[@milosrankic7412]

This woman is very kind and she has wonderful voice so I don't know how she didn't won

[@monmir7828]

No matter what country you or your roots come from, you are someone the whole world is proud of. Iranian (me included), serbian and french people are proud of you more. Your face is very Persian by the way. Wish you a long healthy life.

[@parmida2901]

The interviewer ,sanam is also half iranian and i’m glad to see them both together kinda representing iran❤️❤️

[@yousef2508]

Kinda realized that once she said CHANG so PERSIANLY! LOL

[@sammusicsweden6843]

@yousef TOMBAK AS WELL 😅

[@TheIkA86]

Its so great to see someone that shows so much love towards their heritage. Lovely Barbara! Big support from Serbia!!!

[@TheIda1988]

Made us Iranians proud 💙💙💙💙💙❤❤❤❤❤

[@trojanpony]

Barbara interview starts at 6:32

[@sjorbepo851]

She is so beautiful

[@voloshanca]

Yes. 😍

[@dianasahyzadeh7283]

Yes girl!! Bring out the persian! 🇮🇷🇮🇷

[@babakazarabadeghan8194]

I am persian. All of our girls and women are talented and unique. Unfortunately they are not free in Iran because European countries especially France protects Iran dictatorship regime because of cheap petrol.

[@vickyk1861]

That is really sad. I hope you will be free one day ❤️🌞

[@yousef2508]

@@vickyk1861 It IS sad; Thanks for your beautiful wish...

[@laetitiapohl138]

i'm so sorry - i hope you know that we, the people, don't agree with our governments! :(

[@babakazarabadeghan8194]

@@laetitiapohl138 hopefully you are right! But we assuming government in Europeian countries are representing people .🤔

[@laetitiapohl138]

​@@babakazarabadeghan8194 in slovenia right now, our president and his government do not represent my personal beliefs. at all.

[@randomcompilation4874]

Barbara nailed it in the Eurovision Song contest. She was amazing. She sings with her heart, that's for sure. I am in some way Persian too, as my family is kurdish but I was born in Spain so in some way we are related haha 😂

[@aaromat]

her voice is even awsome when she just talks🤩🤯

[@davt8355]

🇮🇷🇷🇸

[@whiteeagle889]

🇲🇫

[@dariushomidi1271]

. 🇮🇷 🇫🇷 🇷🇸

[@whiteeagle889]

@@dariushomidi1271 This Is not Serbian flag...

[@dariushomidi1271]

@@whiteeagle889 Thanks for letting me know. 😊👍

[@whiteeagle889]

@@dariushomidi1271 Np 😉

[@nahidb9166]

She is the pride of all the Persian and French peoples Bravo l'enfant du pays 💝💖

[@nusknvp566]

And Serbian. His father is Serb

[@nahidb9166]

@@nusknvp566 It's true 👍

[@madareazizam]

Barbara you are wonderful! Many Thanks from Persian!

[@Dreamzzgirl]

Wow Persian queen

[@handekai8500]

I wonder how come an Iranian lady married a Serbian man (I’m talking about Barbara’s parents) That must be very rare and it gave the world the pleasure of listening to Barbara’s wonderful voice.

[@iyawakarehen]

to be fair barbara's parents were both born in france, it's her grandfathers who came from serbia and iran (also one of her grandmothers is polish/of polish descent) so i'm assuming it's likely her parents lived/hanged out in areas and circles that involved a lot of migrants or kids from migrant families.

[@Saaaaaaraaaaahhhh]

Both of her parents are partially Jewish… “Jewishness” connects ….😉

[@handekai8500]

@@Saaaaaaraaaaahhhh Ahahah now everything is clear😂✡️💞

[@thijswebbink9047]

Her voice is awsome

[@JasMine-sm2pt]

Pretty.humble lady wd amazing voice.i love Barbara's music.

[@ftirgari]

Beautiful... amazing from USA

[@carlsondarlson3020]

She doesn’t need to learn english. Her french is so immensly beautifull

[@yasnayeganeh3620]

Is the hostess also Iranian? Her Farsi accent is so good👌🏻

[@stenxx]

She looks like she is. Also I find interestin your name, Yasna, is it Iraninan?

[@aintyours7470]

@@stenxx the hostess is Iranian too I guess! Her name is shanam shanteyei! Maybe Indian/Iranian

[@kchain12]

Yes she is because she knew how to translate some words from the English language to Persian

[@eliushkabahmanfar187]

@@stenxx looks like?!

[@xxxfactory6675]

In Eurovision two Persian girl participated. Barbara and Manizha from Tajikistan who song for Russia.

[@Havvyer]

She wrote the song France won the 2020 Junior Euovision Song Contest with, then she became the runner-up at the 2021 Euovision Song Contest. She's amazing! Bravo, Barbara! J'aimerais te voir sur scène un jour. Mes meilleurs souhaits de Montréal!

[@mojtababahmani]

We proud you, Barbara. from iran

[@laurenvonarni8464]

France actually haven’t won since 1977! It was the UK that won in 1997 😅

[@SaraMBTI]

Hey! It's you! :)

[@laurenvonarni8464]

@@SaraMBTI oh hey!

[@Michalis2m]

Correct, although for me France last won in 1991 with Amina 🥰 (La France was robbed!)

[@mia5983]

Love from iran

[@amirfigo]

bravo & barikallah! didnt know youre iranian but from your eyes and eyebrows and most of all, your soul it was clear... all the best & khoda negahdar

[@natalijadenic5848]

Half Iranian and half Serbian

[@amirfigo]

@@natalijadenic5848 that youre iranian was in the sense of that she is iranian at all, which i dont know she was. interesting combination. dont think there will be many combinations of this in this world...

[@suzydayan5310]

Wikipedia biography: her two grand- mothers are Jew

[@amirfigo]

@@suzydayan5310 the french side?! and if iranian: it doesnt matter: iranians will always be iranians, no matter if jew,muslim etc

[@zeynabmohamadi7842]

Why are you talking nonsense? Do you recognize from her eyes and eyebrows that she is a good singer?

[@kchain12]

Made us proud

[@light-yi2me]

I wrote an assay on women for my Social Stratification course in 1990 , and Dr Saddawi’s book was my inspiration. I was so taken by her bravery, before reading her book, I had no knowledge of female mutilation . She is my hero ❤️ RIP 🌹

[@solobano570]

She was brave!

[@waterlandya]

Voilà!!!!!!

[@madeleine5313]

Barbara is charming!

[@nilousadri5359]

so much of love from iran 🥰🧡

[@przemyslawrozycki946]

She is great!!!

[@solobano570]

Sufi, Rumi 👍🏻Interesting how she bases her music on him and Serbian gypsy music. Clever and spirited!

[@scjames2724]

She is so sweet!

Go Barbara!

[@mahtabgolshanebrahimi494]

Viva Persia

[@solobano570]

Wow, El Sadawi died. RIP dear old lady! You were brave and wonderful.

[@Beautifullife937]

So proud ❤️❤️

[@Anjaanjaanjaanjuska]

To si pobednica:)

[@ilgwent8061]

I thought she was 🇮🇹 like me (and I was starting to be proud of that supposed Italian background) then I found out that "Pravi" sounds Italian but it isn't. Whatever it is, she's been the queen of the Eurovision.

[@sien56]

Her last name is piévic. Pravi means authentic in Serbian i think

[@lukaj2883]

It is a Serbian word, meaning true, real, authentic.

[@voloshanca]

@@sien56 and pievic means something related to singing I suppose. Tbh I think her real name suits her greatly and she should've kept it.

[@sien56]

@@voloshanca She chose Pravi because of her grandfather. He wanted it en its an honor to him

[@voloshanca]

@@sien56 i mean she inherited her last name from him as well

[@ash43]

IRAN✨🌼

[@clipjeleb132]

❤from Iran🇮🇷

[@Vishnuuuuuuuu]

She would have definitely won if she was there some other year

[@aintyours7470]

Nice song ❤️

[@parmida2901]

❤️❤️❤️🇮🇷🇮🇷🇮🇷🇮🇷

[@clipjeleb132]

Love you

[@sayyedsohrab5943]

Beautiful! Voila better translated to "bia" - بیا! in Farsi.

[@hartfischer5509]

Nous aimons Barbara. Entierement francaise. Musique tres jolie. Amities de l Amerique.

[@antirealistmetaphysician]

I have sth for Barbara from Iran: ❤️

[@eden8124]

She is mix of all jewish cultures🌟 Love you from Israel 🇮🇱😘 You are our pride

[@Manal_2018]

وش دخخل تقولك ايران والرومي وصربيا وش دخل اليهود؟؟

[@eden8124]

@@Manal_2018 she is also jewish 😅❤️ kisses 😘

[@farrukhanthegreat8164]

No, her grandmothers are Jewish. Her grandfathers are not Jewish.

[@Manal_2018]

@@farrukhanthegreat8164 whatever

[@liliss77]

We love Israel. Cyrus helped jews🇮🇷🇮🇱❤

[@krisx74]

11:05 France DID NOT WIN the Eurovision in 1997.....that was the UK 🇬🇧

[@dejand5258]

1977

[@MaxXximilian1]

She should have won 100%.

[@MSTJRI]

For Barbara P,Nice voice and lyrics What's nice in multiculturalism!

[@alamrafique6216]

Has she sung any Persian songs?

[@kristinavukovic1291]

Serbian girl 😙

[@eleonorefari7587]

❤️😍

[@kamalkulik7107]

Wooww....Manizha. Tajik -persian representing Russia....

[@zadeh79]

oui oui

[@wills1111111111]

Wow ... and then a song like Voilà meaning nothing ... well done !

[@pegahparsa5062]

🇮🇷 🇮🇷 🇮🇷 Persian culture is the richest culture in the world. Because of language. Persian sounds like sad poem.maybe should you to learn it

[@slobodantoskovic1354]

Barbara's heritage is serbian.

[@juilonryan4441]

Un Serbe ne sait pas bien s'exprimer, mais un Français, je ne pense pas, est un animateur qui parle anglais, il faut la connaître, ne les mélangez pas

[@dgru6557]

PERSIAN HERITAGE? SHE SINGS ABOUT HER GRANDFATHER -DEDA- AND HER GRANDFATHER WAS NOT FROM PERSIA BUT A SERB -WHITE MAN- FROM SERBIA

[@Persian_Queen_Cassandane]

Barbara Pravi is half Persian ( Iran/Persia ) and half Serbian, and her nationality is French. She belongs to 3 great nations.

[@kokochanel7130]

Mother language power🇮🇷🇮🇷🇮🇷🇮🇷

[@suzydayan5310]

Her two grand mother are Jew

[@danemon8423]

@@suzydayan5310 and french

[@Stateira_Cyrus]

@@suzydayan5310 She is proud of her Persian and Serbian heritage. Barbara Pravi " I feel Serbian because I am in love with my Serbian grandfather. I’m in love with the history of my family. I feel Iranian because I love poetry, like Persian poetry. " Barbara Pravi takes her stage name Pravi from the Serbian word Prava, in honour of her Serbian grandfather.

[@roseyarianna]

did you literally see her snort crack?

[@valsett3385]

She looks foreign indeed

[@revengeproductions9697]

if your gonna sing under the french flag dont call yourself iranian and dont use our culture

[@parmida2901]

What is wrong with you😕 is she even able to sing under her own country flag and fly irans flag??? Why cant you see the problem here is not her is our own country not letting her to sing!!???

[@revengeproductions9697]

@@parmida2901 if she cant sing for the motherland she should use the motherland culture to sing for another country she should use French culture and music for her music

[@GGTanguera]

Coset nazi :)

[@Mediesc]

@@revengeproductions9697 Don't write in English it's not from your culture 🤡

[@solobano570]

Don’t use internet, it’s not produced by “your culture!” 🤡 Pity that girl deserves more decent audience than the ones gathering in the comments here!

[@medyacolictv6066]

The worst song and performance was yours. Efendi is best🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿

[@vergulinc3608]

Bullshitest was Azerbaijan

[@two_Ems]

Love from iran