The Iranian Features
July 6-9, 1999 / Tir 15-18, 1378
Today
* Minorities: Saving Jews
* Poetry: But a sigh
Recent
* Media: Better times
* Fiction: The body
who invaded my life
* Cover
story: Real fantasies
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday
| Thursday | Friday
email us
Friday
July 9, 1999
Minorities
Saving Jews
The Iranian "Schindler List"
By Fereydoun Hoveyda
July 9, 1999
The Iranian
Amid all the distressing news about possible extremist motives behind
the arrest of 13 Jews in Iran, one wonders why some 30,000 Jews have chosen
to remain in Iran despite the often hostile religious fervor of the post-revolutionary
era. The fact is that prejudice and discrimination towards Jews has been
relatively mild and Iranian Jews have strong nationalist feelings. The
following is not an example of just one man's kindness towards Jews, but
an example of the close bond between Iranians in general, even under very
dangerous circumstances. Thanks to Farhad Sepahbody for forwarding this
piece. -- Editor
In June 1940, embassies were transfered from Paris to Vichy which had
become the capital of the new French Government. In each embassy residence
in Paris a caretaker was left behind...
At that unfortunate time many Iranian Jewish families lived in Paris.
My uncle who liked to entertain, established close contacts with the German
authorities and at the outset made it clear to them that Iranian jews were
Iranians since the time of Cyrus the Great and therefore fell under the
protection of Iranian laws like any other Iranian ... GO
TO FEATURE
Poetry
But a sigh
Ahmad Shamlu's "Beh joz aah-e hasrati keh baa man nist"
Translated by Laleh Khalili
July 9, 1999
The Iranian
The following poem was published in Iran daily (July 6, 1999)
following Ahmad Shamlu's recovery from recent ailments. It is dedicated
to his many admirers.
The first that I saw the world
I howled in exultation:
"I am -oh!-
that ultimate miracle
upon the small planet of water and verdure!"... GO
TO FEATURE
Go to top
Thursday
July 8, 1999
Media
Better times
The Tehran media fair
By Siamak Namazi
July 8, 1999
The Iranian
The following report describes the media atmosphere in Iran just
a couple of months ago. Several moderate publications attracted big crowds,
a sign of a more open society. But the roller coaster seems to be heading
down again. Parliament is considering a new bill that would put new limits
on freedom of the press. Also the moderate daily Salam has been
shut down by the revolutionary court. -- Editor
Iran is a country of nuances.Untrained senses miss a lot of the finer
rapport among people. But at this year's media fair in Tehran, particularly
dull senses would have been required to not notice what was being said.
Some 400 publications had set up booths at the International Trade Center.
This while most rightist papers, such as Jomhuriy-e Eslami, Resalat,
Kayhan, etc., boycotted the event that coincided with the impeachment
hearings of Culture Minister Ataollah Mohajerani. Entekhab,
which represents the voice of the new conservatives, did take part, however
... GO
TO FEATURE
Go to top
Wednesday
July 7, 1999
Fiction
The body who invaded my life
Short story
By Reza Ordoubadian
July 7, 1999
The Iranian
"Admit it!"
"Admit what?" I raised my voice. "Do you really think
he's one of them? Working underground, but protecting us for his own benefit?"
"You don't understand. I'm talking about the other thing we were
discussing yesterday!"
"A miracle!" I said. "Do you really think that Raheem
is an angel, a supernatural body, come to help us exclusively? Make up
your mind, Sister: Devil or Angel?"
"Why not?" she asked quite seriously. "What's wrong with
Angel? You have all but abandoned him, the way you ignore his presence
and practically show him the door. Is that right, after all he has done
for us! He hasn't come to the back of the house in three days, just keeping
to himself in that room." ... GO
TO FEATURE
Go to top
Tuesday
July 6, 1999
Cover story
Real fantasies
Drawings by Bidjan Asadipour
July 5, 1999
The Iranian
"How do your drawings relate to people?" Bidjan Asadipour
was once asked. "This relationship is like that between people and
their photographs. The difference is that pictures display people's physical
appearance while drawings present their inner feelings as well." ...
GO
TO FEATURE
Go to top
Monday
July 5, 1999
None