Speaking of Faith: The Ecstatic Faith of Rumi Wins a Peabody Award!
A Peabody went to Speaking of Faith: The Ecstatic Faith of Rumi, from American Public Media. This edition of the long-running series explored resurgent interest in the 13th century Persian poet: - 4/29/08
Seven Valleys of Love: A bilingual anthology of women poets from Middle Ages Persia to present day Iran
Seven Valleys of Love, compiled and translated by Sheema Kalbasi, is written with a piercing clarity and a profound intensity of emotion. - 4/29/08
Poetry of Rumi a Unifying Force of Civilizations
Dr. Nevit Ergin, a Turkish-American surgeon based in San Mateo, California, and translator of Jalal ad-Din Mohammad Balkhi Rumi's narrative poetry, visited India in connection with the 800th anniversary of the birth of the Persian poet. Though Ergin is a surgeon by profession, he has dedicated himself to the study of Rumi and his works for the past 50 years. -America.gov - 4/25/08
Iranians read books for two minutes a day
The president of the Iran National Library and Archives (INLA) announced on Tuesday that Iran's per capita book reading is two minutes in every 24 hours. - 4/24/08
Shiraz to host National Sadi Day gathering
Experts will review Sadi's masterpiece Gulistan at a gathering in Shiraz on April 21, which is National Sadi Day. Each year specific aspects of the poet are covered during the event and this year his masterpiece Gulistan (The Rose Garden) will be at the core of the discussion, the director of the Center for the Study of Sadi told ISNA. - 4/19/08
Iranian author Parvin Dowlatabadi dies at 84
Veteran Iranian writer and one of the founders of children's poetry, Parvin Dowlatabadi has died of a heart attack at the age of 84. - 4/15/08
Prizes announced in writing competition in Iran
A nationwide competition established in memory of the late Iranian journalist Mehran Ghassemi ended in Tehran, with five prizes awarded to journalists that covered issues including civil rights in Iran, Iran and human rights, foreign policy of the current government, social issues in Iran, and Iran vs. America. - 4/15/08
In Memory of Susha Guppy
About a year ago Mrs. Susha Guppy offered me an opportunity to interview her for the documentary film I have produced about Khayyam. She was very supportive of my film project and offered a lot of good counsel. -Majeed Beenteha - 4/10/08
EVENT: Inauguration of Association for Iranian-American Writers (IAWA)
Iranian-American writers represent one of the most recent arrivals in ethnic American literature. Drawing on a rich Persian heritage and a vibrant American literary scene, Iranian-American writers give voice to the complex histories that have shaped their community. - 4/4/08
Author Bahiyyih Nakhjavani honored in Belgium
Bahiyyih Nakhjavani is a Persian writer who grew up in Uganda (Africa) but was educated in the United Kingdom and the United States. She taught European and American literature in Belgium. She now lives in France where she teaches. -Darius KADIVAR - 4/4/08
POEM: IF ONLY . . .
Are they better than us? More free than we are? Born with wings, though -Mali Mostoufi, NY - 4/2/08
From Molana (Rumi) With Love
Spring's onset blesses our planet with a revival of beauty, bounty, and new life. As nature's rebirth begins, I hope our hearts and souls also bloom the new buds of love, compassion, and hope, which could bring about a much more peaceful, loving, and caring year for all of earth's inhabitants. -Dr. Majid M. Naini - 3/31/08
The East-West divide: The roots of enmity
Napoleon Bonaparte and Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the shah of Iran, are the archtypes of West and East for the author Anthony Pagden: Worlds at War The 2,500-Year Struggle Between East and West -IHT - 3/24/08
Enchanting New Children's Book Teaches Life and History Lessons
Jamshid and the Lost Mountain of Light by Howard Lee is a fanciful children's story about a boy's adventures in Ancient Persia. - 3/21/08
Shiraz promotes World Poetry Day with week-long conference
Shiraz is celebrating World Poetry Day (March 21) during a week-long conference which commenced on March 16. The only city in the country which pays due attention to the celebration of world poetry day is Shiraz, said secretary of the conference Kavus Hassanli, adding, "This goes to show that the city possesses vigorous and active literary movements." - 3/16/08
Poem: For The Sake of Humanity
May our Persian New Year, Last forever. -- May heaven celebrate it even. -Mali Mostoufi – NY - 3/13/08
BOOKS: Iran in the 21st Century: Politics, Economics & Conflict; Sadeq Hedayat: His Work and his Wondrous World
The Middle East Centre is pleased to announce the book launch of Iran in the 21st Century: Politics, Economics and Conflict edited by Homa Katouzian and Hossein Shahidi (London: Routledge, 2008) and Sadeq Hedayat: His Work and his Wondrous World edited by Homa Katouzian (London: Routledge, 2008) - 3/7/08
Iran’s leading poet receives new Stanford literature prize
Iranian poet Simin Behbahani is the first recipient of Stanford's Bita Prize for Literature and Freedom. The new $10,000 prize is part of the Daryabari Persian Studies Fund, recently endowed by Bita Daryabari to support and promote teaching, research and scholarship relating to Iran, including the area formerly known as Persia, and people of Iranian or Persian heritage. -CYNTHIA HAVEN, Stanford News - 3/6/08
The Sixth Sadegh Hedayat Award Ceremony in Tehran
Last week on the anniversary of his birthday, the 6th Sadegh Hedayat award was held at a private ceremony at the house of his nephew and head of Sadegh Hedayat office, Mr. Jahangir Hedayat. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 3/3/08
Dr S.J. Shahidi's 40th at Dehkhoda in Tehran
I could hardly believe that it has already been 35 days since Dr Shahidi's passing when Shokoufeh Shahidi my friend called to invite me to his 40th ceremony at Dehkhoda, last Thursday from 3-5. Time has passed so quickly despite the cold. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 2/27/08
Ahmadinejad: The Secret History of Iran's Radical Leader by Kasra Naji
Many of you may not know that a new book by Kasra Naji has been published. Kasra, an old friend of ours, has worked as a journalist for major news media such as The Guardian, LA Times, The Economist, BBC, The Financial Times, CNN, ABC and many others about the Middle East and Asia. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 2/11/08
BOOK: Paris Chic, Tehran Thrills: Aesthetic Bodies, Political Subjects
In this fascinating and unique book, Alexandru Balasescu explores questions of Islamic dress, modernity and public space in Paris and Tehran. How are we to understand the exclusion of the Islamic dress from public space in France if, at the same time, trendy French women and wealthy Middle Eastern tourists shop for designer-label hijab, apparently accepting its conversion into a (depoliticited, deracinated) commodity? - 2/4/08
Happy Nowruz: Cooking with Children to Celebrate the Persian New Year
Nowruz--the Persian New Year--is one of the world's great festivals, a full month of activities celebrating the earth, the arrival of spring, and the rebirth of nature. Most of all, it is a festival for families. Children and adults alike can share in preparing special meals, decorating the house, and performing the many ceremonies that welcome the New Year. This book is a guide to customs thousands of years old yet as vital as ever--enjoyable for families no matter where they live or what their beliefs. - 2/1/08
Dr. Seyed Jafar Shahidi to be commemorated in London
Dr Seyed Jafar Shahidi, the prominent Islamic historian and Persian language and literature expert who passed away in Tehran on 13th January will be remembered in London at a ceremony to be held at the Brunei Gallery, Room B111 (1st floor), School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), 10 Thornhaugh St, Russell Square on Tuesday 5th February at 7.00 pm. All are welcome. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 1/31/08
Writing competition in Iran honors deceased journalist
A competition called "In Memory of the Pen" has been organized in Iran in memory of Mehran Ghassemi, an Iranian journalist who died at the age of 30. Last day to apply is Feb 20. - 1/31/08
U.S. scholar tries hand at Iran's Islamic Revolution literature
After rendering several novels in the Sacred Defense literature style into English, U.S. translator Paul Sprachman is currently working on "Esmaeil", a Persian novel that focuses on Iran's Islamic Revolution. -MNA - 1/29/08
Iran seeks UNESCO year of Ferdowsi
Iran's cultural heritage organization hopes that UNESCO will evaluate naming an international year in honor of the Persian poet Ferdowsi. - 1/25/08
Iran, Tajikistan team up to honor Persian poet Rudaki
Iran and Tajikistan will jointly celebrate the 1150th birth anniversary of the Persian poet Abu Abdullah Jafar ibn Mohammad Rudaki (858-941) during a series of programs in 2008. - 1/22/08
Ahmadinejad: The Secret History of Iran's Radical Leader
Fresh from a stunning election victory, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's impish new President, set off from Tehran on a mission to enlighten the world. -Kasra Naji, TIMES Online - 1/19/08
Spain's Salamanca University to establish Persian course
An agreement to establish the course was signed this week by Iran's cultural attaché to Spain, Mohammad Khezri, and the dean of Salamanca University, José Ramón Alons. -MNA - 1/16/08
Legendary Iranian historian Jafar Shahidi dies
Prominent Islamic historian and Persian language and literature expert Jafar Shahidi died on Sunday in Tehran. He was 89 and had been suffering from pneumonia. - 1/14/08
Tales From the Zirzameen: The story of an American falling in love with Iran
Introduction: For Love of Persia - This chapter explains how I came to love Persian culture and live in Iran and also explores some of the humorous effects of the differences between Persian and American culture from my personal experiences in Iran. -Brian H. Appleton (Aka Rasool Aryadust) - 1/10/08
Portraits of Ahmad Shamlou
Recently we had the opportunity to see some interesting watercolor portraits of Iran's most well known modern poet, the late Mr Ahmad Shamlou (1925-2000) by Mr Hossein Bahmanpour who is from Shiraz. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 1/7/08
Eat Your Heart Out, Homer: THE ADVENTURES OF AMIR HAMZA
The “Hamzanama” was once the most popular oral epic of the Indo-Islamic world. “The Adventures of Amir Hamza” is the “Iliad” and Odyssey” of medieval Persia, a rollicking, magic-filled heroic saga. - 1/6/08
Poem: True Love
On the occasion of the Christian New Year, and the fact that New Years are times to spend and share love with Family and Friends: Happy New Year -Roya Monajem, Tehran - 1/4/08
Ibn Sina Cultural Center honors Sirus Shamisa
The eminent Iranian man of letters Sirus Shamisa was presented with a plaque of honor during a ceremony held on Wednesday at Tehran's Ibn Sina Cultural Center. Other leading academics including Bahaeddin Khorramshahi, Hossein Payandeh, Hormoz Rahimian and Saeid Hamidian attended the ceremony. - 1/4/08
Book Review: Young Iranian woman's harsh lesson in brutality of regime
The power of Zarah Ghahramani's chilling memoir, "My Life as a Traitor," is in the discovery - hers and ours - that in Iran such routine student activism can have devastating consequences. In riveting prose, she and her co-author, journalist Robert Hillman, tell the story of how Ghahramani was plucked from the street after a protest against the firing of a beloved teacher, and secretly incarcerated in Tehran's notorious Evin prison, without inquiry or trial. -SF Chronicle - 1/4/08
7th Golshiri Literary Award Ceremony Held In Tehran
The 7th Golshiri Literary Award ceremony took place end of last month at the NGO centre at the corner of Warsaw Street and Villa Avenue, Tehran in front of a large number of guests, who were mainly lovers and supporters of literature and writing in Iran. - 1/2/08
BOOK: Iran and Its Place among Nations
Iran and Its Place among Nations takes a bird's-eye view of where Iran has been in the international community, where it is today, and where it may ideally end up in the future. -Authors: Alidad Mafinezam and Aria Mehrabi - 12/31/07
An American in Iran
Imam Khomeini International in Tehran looks much like any big new airport, except that its long corridors bear posters declaring this the Year of National Unity and Islamic Solidarity, rather than ads for lipstick and perfume. Still, it does not take long for an American passport-holder to meet with deeper differences. -New York Review of Books - 12/31/07
Romeo and Leila & the Enigma of Time: Thought provoking Science Fiction Relates the Concept of Time to Current Events
Author Bizhan Karimi makes a liberal statement regarding the existing USA -Iran conflict in Romeo and Leila & the Enigma of Time - 12/28/07
Bayan Salis: An international bookshop in Tehran
Valiasr Avenue is the longest thoroughfare in Tehran and runs from Tajrish in the North to the main railway station in the south. In this most amazing and diverse avenue, once in a while you come across a small place that is a sparkling gem that can brighten your life and bring joy to your heart and a smile to your lips. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 12/21/07
Establishment of Rumi foundation proposed
Iran's programs marking Rumi's 800th birth anniversary were brought to a close with the celebration ĺu Days with Molana" on December 19th at Tehran's Vahdat Hall. -MNA - 12/21/07
Iranian women take on stereotypes in first U.S. novels
The 1995 teen movie "Clueless" introduced us to Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd, but first-time novelist Porochista Khakpour remembers it for another reason: It injected Iranian Americans into the U.S. pop-cult consciousness. -Los Angeles Times - 12/18/07
Book Review: Comprehensive History of the Jews of Iran: The Outset of the Diaspora
I had actually read the original Persian version of the book, Comprehensive History of Jews of Iran years ago; nonetheless, it was quite enlightening now to re-read it in English with nostalgic reminiscences. -David Rahni - 12/12/07
Persian Arts Festival Revives Shab-e She'r Poetry Night at New York's Bowery Poetry Club
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Persian Arts Festival (PAF) marks the revival of Shab-e She'r, A Night of (Persian) Poetry, at the Bowery Poetry Club (BPC). The program will continue every third Wednesday of the month through May 2008. - 12/5/07
Winners of 8th Mehregan Literary Awards honored
The award presentation ceremony of the 8th Mehregan Literary Awards was held at the Honar Cultural Center in Tehran on Monday evening. - 12/5/07
Men from Various Civilizations: A book by Shahrnush Parsipur
The Sialk Hills civilization had many members. One of these was a man who played the tar and loved his profession very much. This man's house was located on the western side of the hill. - 12/4/07
Iran: Book Censorship The Rule, Not The Exception
The swift move by Iran's Islamic Culture and Guidance Minister to ban a newly published novel by Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez has once again put the spotlight on the phenomenon of censorship in Iran. -RFE - 11/27/07
Jabbar Baghcheban, Iran's sign language pioneer, remembered
Iranians commemorate the 41st death anniversary of Jabbar Baghchehban, father of the Persian sing language and founder of the first school and kindergarten for the deaf in Tabriz in 1924. -Press TV - 11/27/07
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