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Reza H. Akbari

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Reza H. Akbari

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Iranian Artists Prepare Tehran for Spring

March 15, 2016 Reza Akbari
Photo Published by Humans of Tehran

Photo Published by Humans of Tehran

In preparation for the Persian New Year, Tehran Municipality has organized an event where artists are invited to install their works throughout the city.

More than 480 sculptors, photographers, painters, and graphic artists are currently working to present their murals and illustrations throughout the capital. Under the title, “Baharestan,” the project aims to welcome the arrival of spring by beautifying Tehran. 

According to Mehr News, 94 artists are working to prepare various murals in 22 neighborhoods, 157 sculptors are installing their works in city’s prominent squares, and 191 artists are preparing to instal huge colored eggs around the city’s parks.

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In Iran Tags Nowruz, New Year, Art

The Scent of Spring

March 13, 2015 Reza Akbari

The Persian New Year, Norooz, is around the corner. It is a festive and colorful time. Everything seems a bit softer and more pleasant, albeit fleeting. As the nature begins to turn over a new leaf, families try to embrace the spring among their loved ones. Relatives gather around, exchange gifts, consume delicious food, and recall cherished memories.

One of the most beloved Iranian songs that captures the feeling of Norooz well is Farhad’s Koodakaneh (Childhood). Surprisingly, it’s not the happiest song. It has a strong sense of longing and nostalgia. The singer’s childhood memories help him live through the unforgiving winter while he patiently waits for the warmth of spring. Maybe it’s too far of a stretch to say that the lyrics are reminiscent of the Iranian outlook in general – eternal longing for the past while evading the present – but it certainly strikes a strong chord with many Persian listeners.

The song is one of my personal favorites, so I decided to translate it for all the Iran lovers out there. I wish everyone a wonderful and prosperous New Year. Eide hamegi mobarak!

Scent of eidi (money given to children on New Year)
Scent of cannon*
Scent of confetti
Pungent scent of smoked fish on the new tablecloth
Scent of jasmine in grandmother’s cashmere prayer mat
With these [thoughts], I let winter pass by

The joy of breaking the piggy bank
The horror of losing the eidi coins by counting them too many times
Scent of pressed crisp bills in the book
With these [thoughts], I let winter pass by
With these, I relieve my weariness

Joy of a long leap over lit shrubs
Bright shine of coupled shoes in closets
With these [thoughts], I let the winter pass by
With these, I relieve my weariness

Love of playing alak-dolak
Fear of not finishing the New Year’s school homework
Scent of the dried rose peddles in the book
With these [thoughts], I let winter pass by
With these, I relieve my weariness

Scent of the garden, the pool
Fine fragrance of nazri*
Friday night, following a lantern, getting lost in the alleyway
Lust for a swim in the azure stream,
With these [thoughts], I let winter pass by
With these, I relieve my weariness
With these [thoughts], I let winter pass by
With these, I relieve my weariness

 

* Traditionally cannon blasts mark the exact moment of the spring equinox, the beginning of the Persian New Year.

* Iranians distribute free food during Ashura and other religious days. The food specifically made for such occasions is called nazri.

In Iran Tags Nowruz, New Year, Music

Iran's Former Reformist President Cautiously Criticizes Rouhani

March 21, 2014 Reza Akbari

Iran’s former reformist president, Mohammad Khatami, delivered his annual Nowruz message via YouTube on Thursday, during which he cautiously criticized the achievements of President Rouhani’s administration thus far.

In his message Khatami highlights that the new government’s promises regarding political and social freedoms have not been fulfilled and that a large gap still exists between the ideals expected by voters and the delivered campaign promises by Iran’s moderate president, Hassan Rouhani.

The video appears to have been produced by the Baran Foundation, an NGO founded by Khatami after his presidential tenure (1997-2005) that mainly focuses on the promotion of social justice and the improvement of welfare programs.

The former president invited the Iranian citizens, especially the youth, to remain hopeful and continue to demand their rights, all while keeping their expectations realistic.

Khatami concluded his remarks with a poem from the beloved fourteenth century Persian poet, Hafez that seems to highlight his message of hope and perseverance.

The Persian text of the speech was published on Baran Foundation’s official website. The translation of the message is provided below.

In the name of God, the most compassionate, the most merciful.

In the name of God who is beautiful and likes beauty.
In the name of God, the most gracious, the most kind.
In the name of the God of spring, the God of human beings, the God of life.
The God who perfects his creation.
The God who wants humans to be alive, dynamic, and sophisticated.
The God who wants a beautiful life for all humans.

The past year, like many years before, consisted of a number of bitter and sweet events. Our nation has consistently tried to get past and tolerate hardships with grace, patience, and a sense for recognizing opportunities. In this manner, we have tried to improve our lives. This past year we witnessed an election that increased the hope in people; an election that should rightly be labeled as political heroism. The creation of a free and safe environment for all groups and factions was what the society expected and demanded. The [election] increased the hope of achieving such dreams. This amazing political achievement [2013 Presidential Election] could have become more glorious if the political environment would have opened up, if the environment of the country had transitioned from a security state to a political one, if political prisoners would have been freed, and if various restrictions and limitations on many individuals had lifted.

Unfortunately, however, such expectations did not come to fruition. Some attempts have been made, but they are not close to ideals. There is still hope for us to create an environment in which hearts are closer to each other. Such an environment would be beneficial for the people, the country, and the regime. It can increase passion and enthusiasm for the country’s development and cooperation in enhancing the state affairs.

We have many issues in many areas. Without a doubt, life is difficult for the majority of our people. Especially for the lower classes of our society, who are significant in numbers. Fortunately, in this regard, the plans and policies of the new administration are good. I hope that various departments and organizations support them. As witnessed, relative openings have been experienced in the foreign policy and economic arenas. However, these openings have to increase. While keeping in mind the national interests of the country, determined and solid steps forward should be taken. The beautiful side of Iran and the divine face of Islam should be demonstrated to the world. Commitment to ensuring the rights and welfare of a nation is a heavy responsibility for the administration and the regime. Of course, by keeping in mind the limitations and the available resources, [people] should keep their expectations at a realistic and logical level. However, we should never lose hope for the future.

Now, I would like to address the dear youth who are the country’s main asset. If there is freedom and prosperity, it is the youth who first experience it, and if there is restriction, unfortunately, it is also the youth who first experience it. But, the youth should never lose hope. They should continue to try. The regime should prepare the environment for the free, active, and enthusiastic presence of the youth in various sectors. All entrepreneurs, laborers, and all who are active should work together to advance the affairs of the country. The esteemed administration should prepare the background for the free presence of all factions, groups, organizations, and the private sector. The administration should utilize all internal and external talents in order to improve the situation. Fortunately, this intention exists and I hope to witness the realization of even bigger steps.

We have hope for the future. We are attached to this land and country. We count on our revolution. We want our regime to be prosperous and proud. In the foundation of this regime, we protect the honor, respect, and dignity of all humans. We hope to witness comprehensive reforms within the regime in the upcoming year–in order to strengthen the regime and to strengthen the foundations of national security and social prosperity. We also hope to witness the building of an environment that allows the use of internal and external recourses for improving the political, economical, and cultural situation of the country.

[…]

I wish for prosperity and happiness for all our dear people and for all who like Iran and Iranians. I hope to God, who has the power to change hearts, who controls the affairs, the God who creates days and nights, and the God who has the power to change all conditions and situations, to change our condition for the better. I hope it happens in a way that we are all happy with our daily lives. I hope that the people and the government step side by side towards a better future.

[Hafez – Ghazal #164]

Morning breeze, its fragrance will exhale
The old world will once again youthfully sail.
Tulip will bring a red cup to the meadows
Narcissus’ eyes from poppy will grow pale.
When would nightingale put up with such abuse
Leave not joy of the now till the morrow
Who can vouch that the morrow, the now shall trail?
Hold dear all the flowers and commune
Came to be and will whither with a breeze or a gale.
This feast is for friends, O minstrel, play and sing
Sing again, it came thus and went thus, to what avail?
Hafez, for your sake, entered this tale
Walk with him, say farewell, he’ll tear the veil

In Iran Tags Nowruz, New Year, Mohammad Khatami, Reformists