Oman today_ The list of nominees for the International World Folk Music Festival 2026 has been released, and the Iranian ensemble Rastak appears among the top contenders with its new album, Stories of Earth and Sun. The work has been recognized by the jury in the category of Best World Folk Music Album.
The festival will take place on January 21, 2026, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, coinciding with the 38th General Assembly of the World Folk Music Union, where renowned artists and emerging talents from various countries will gather.
Rastak’s new album is competing in the final round with groups from Pakistan, Mali, Lithuania, Madagascar, Poland–Belarus, and Latvia–Estonia.
Rastak, which began its activity in 1997 and released its first official album in 2007, has earned a distinctive place in Iranian folk and traditional music through its focus on reinterpreting and performing regional songs from across Iran. The ensemble has become one of the most influential groups in this field.