| ISPA Series at the Fringe 2026 - Fairouz Nishanova |
 Fairouz NishanovaDirector Malika Fairouz Nishanova is a Swiss cultural development specialist, arts producer, and leader in music education and heritage preservation. She has directed the Aga Khan Music Programme (AKMP) since 2005, shaping it into a global platform that supports the revival, transmission, and creative development of musical traditions across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. Born in Sri Lanka to Uzbek parents, she holds a B.A. with distinction in History and Asian & African Studies from Moscow State University, and a postgraduate degree with distinction in International Relations and World Politics from the London School of Economics. Nishanova began her career at the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, subsequently moving to the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Europe. She joined the Aga Khan Development Network in 2000 among the team working on the establishment of the University of Central Asia, while simultaneously founding what would become the Aga Khan Music Programme. Under her leadership, AKMP's work has earned international recognition, including the Grammy-nominated 10-volume Music of Central Asia anthology co-produced with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and the Council of Europe's "Cultural Event" label awarded in 2012. She conceived the Aga Khan Master Musicians in 2012 and served as executive producer of their debut album Nowruz, which reached number one on the World Music Charts Europe in 2024. She also oversaw the creation and inaugural ceremony of the Aga Khan Music Awards (2019). Nishanova serves as executive producer of AKMP's concerts, recordings, films, and public events, and sits on the International Jury of the European Festivals Association. |
