(San Francisco, CA) — The
Association of Iranian American Writers (AIAW) will host a literary reading
and musical performance on Sunday, July 26 to express solidarity with the people
of Iran, whose protest over the June elections has captured the hearts and
imagination of the world.
The afternoon of readings and music will take place from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at
Intersection for the Arts, 446 Valencia St., in San Francisco. Bay Area Iranian
American writers will read from their work, including poetry, fiction,
nonfiction and rap that highlights the intersection between Iranian culture and
American life. Freelance journalist Reese Erlich, author of The Iran Agenda: The
Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Middle East Crisis, will give a brief report
about his recent visit to Iran to cover the elections. Aleph Null, a Persian
jazz fusion group whose music combines Middle Eastern and Asian influences, also
will perform. Books by AIAW writers will be available for purchase.
Despite the distance between San Francisco and Tehran, Persis Karim, co-director
and founder of AIAW, said that even with recent turn of events, Americans can
continue to support the pro- democracy movement in Iran.
Iranian American writers in particular can open a window into the culture of a
country that few Americans know about, and can urge the media to keep covering
Iran even after the crisis subsides.
"We don't want their struggle to be forgotten," said Karim. "Freedom of
expression in Iran is important to us as Americans. It's a right we want to
support for Iranian citizens as well as for ourselves."
This event is sponsored by AIAW with the support of Intersection for the
Arts. AIAW is a national organization dedicated to promoting the work of
fiction and non-fiction writers, poets, journalists, photojournalists, and
artists who work with words. More information on AIAW is available at
www.iranianamericanwriters.org
With works by:
Anita Amirrezvani, Jasmin Darznik, Parissa Ebrahimzadeh, Mahru Elahi, Roia
Ferrazares, Tissa Hami, Persis Karim, Nazy Kaviani, Aidin Massoudi, Beatrice
Motamedi, Shirindokht Nourmanesh, Kavian Ravandoust, Farnoosh Seifoddini, Ari
Siletz, and Siamak Vossoughi
Donations of $10 or more are requested, with proceeds to go to support
Amnesty International USA and its campaign to free those detained in
Iran after the election protests.
"I wish I could show you when you are lonely
or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being."
- Hafez, 14th c. Persian poet
Sunday, July 26, 2009
2-4pm
Intersection for the Arts
446 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
$10 suggested donation
www.iranianamericanwriters.org
... Payvand News - 07/09/09 ... --
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