ARCHIVE
|
Cover story
Tastes of paradise
Ode to forgotten flavors
By Laleh Kahlili
August 21, 2000
The Iranian
There are at moments of respite in Iran,when the three jobs most ordinary
Iranians have to take to put bread on the table are momentarily forgotten
at the end of the work-day (or night), and pleasures of the sense take
over. And there are so many simple things upon which the senses can feast.
Our voluptuous music seduces and our language dances on the tongue. The
cool oceanic tiled surfaces of our public buildings invite the eyes to
linger. We love to touch: from the tactile feast that is the bas-relief
of Persepolis on silky black stone to the indulgence of vintage "termeh"
fabrics handed down from family to family >>>
GO TO FEATURE
Eyewitness
What happened in Tehran Saturday?
By Masoud Bahrami
August 19, 2000
The Iranian >>>
GO TO FEATURE
Outlook
Khatami criticizes press crackdown
BBC Persian Service
President Khatami has refused to hold a general press conference on
"Government Week" to show his displeasure with the mass closure
of reformist newspapers. His speech was aired on Iranian TV (Go to four
minutes and 25 seconds) >>>
LISTEN HERE
Reformists in Iran set for new clash with conservatives
By Geneive Abdo
The Guardian
August 21, 2000
Iran's moves towards democratic rule, which began three years ago with
the landslide victory of President Mohammad Khatami, appear little more
than a fleeting moment in history now that conservatives have reasserted
their control.
Hardliners in the judiciary have closed almost two dozen newspapers
and journals. Nearly all the country's prominent reformist journalists
have been imprisoned, prompting the Paris-based Reporters sans Frontieres
to declare last week that Iran is the world's largest prison for journalists'
>>>
FULL TEXT
The Funny, but Fictional, Mullah
By SUSAN SACHS
The New York Times
August 21, 2000
CAIRO -- IN the classic Iranian children's tale, the fictional Mullah
Nasreddin rode his donkey facing backwards but arrived at his destination
all the same. He delighted in taking advantage of the villagers who, in
their turn, poked fun at him. He ate a lot. He paid for nothing. The world,
through his myopic and literal eyes, was a puzzlement.
"If I survive this life without dying," the wise fool of a
clergyman once sighed, "I'd be surprised." >>>
FULL TEXT
Tears, Cheers for an Iranian Icon's Return
By Don Heckman
Los Angeles Times
August 21, 2000,
It was, as many audience members kept repeating Saturday at the Great
Western Forum, the performance of a lifetime in the comeback of a lifetime.
Googoosh was back after more than 20 years of silence. Googoosh, the legendary
Iranian singer whose appeal reached across generations, whose every move
set fashion styles in the years before the revolution brought her career
to a sudden halt >>>
FULL TEXT
Thanks to Kambiz
Boxing ring
International Haftegi: Reform movement at a crossroad >>> FULL
PERSIAN TEXT
Kayhan: Kayhan:Revisionist revolutionaries were rotten from the
start, says Jalaledin Farsi >>>
FULL PERSIAN TEXT
Anyway
Grassroot journalism
ISNA, the official Iranian news agency's branch in colleges, has attracted
hundreds of enthusiastic youth to journalism. Now the Ministry of Education
is organizing a news agency for younger students. Let's hope they'll learn
about objective journalism >>>
SEE HERE
More Letters
* Lying is a habit
Farsheed Khosmood
writes: Two years ago I was vacationing with my family in Cyprus. One
day as we were riding in a taxi the Greek driver began to make unwelcome
advances toward one of my mother's friends. As she was attempting to evade
his proposed date later that evening, the taxi driver said "I am not
Iranian, I do not lie." Later, he explained nonchalantly to me "Almost
every Iranian I have met has lied."
Shahriar Zahedi in "We
must lie" wrote, "it is safe to assume that there once existed
among the Persians, a certain preoccupation with honesty and truthfulness..."
Well, my reply to this statement is an unequivocal no. There are two
reasons why the famous Herodotus excerpt about Persian youth being taught
to "ride, shoot and tell the truth" is misinterpreted >>>
FULL TEXT
* Qorbunet beram elaahi!
Shirin Bazleh writes:
Just got back from Googoosh
concert in Los Angeles. We had great seats, thanks to my friend Kambiz's
generous birthday present! It really was wonderful. Especially the interaction
with the crowd. In the midst of a beautiful Turkish song she was singing,
a middle aged tie-wearing man in the $500-ticket section screamed: "Qorbunet
beram elaahi!"
Film: Farmanara's film in Montreal festival
At the 24th Montreal Film Festival 'The Smell Of Camphor, The Fragrance
Of Jasmine' written & directed by Bahman Farmanara has been chosen
for the official compettion. The festival will be held from August 25 to
September 4 >>>
DETAILS HERE
Books
THE IRANIAN
Bookstore
Music store
Translation of today's poem by Zara
Houshmand:
If I die in this war, this combat with you,
I won't so much as sigh, for fear of troubling you.
I'll die with a smile, like a flower in your hand,
From the cruel charm with which you cut this wound
-- Rumi
Previous
translations
Copyright © Abadan Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved.
May not be duplicated or distributed in any form
|
More
news
Khatami: Sometimes powerless
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - President Mohammad Khatami said he regrets
the closure of more than two dozen publications by hard-line rivals and
admitted he is sometimes powerless to protect press freedoms in Iran's constitution
>>> FULL TEXT
Khatami objects to US policy but no problem
with Americans
TEHRAN,
Aug 21 (AFP) - Iran objects to US policy towards the Islamic republic but
has no problem with the American people, the state news agency IRNA reported
President Mohammad Khatami as saying on Monday >>> FULL TEXT
Two women editors in press court
TEHRAN,
Aug 21 (AFP) - The editors of two magazines, both of them women, appeared
in press court Monday to face charges ranging from defamation to publishing
anti-Islamic propaganda >>> FULL TEXT
Conservative papers refuse to reveal circulation
figures
TEHRAN,
Aug 20 (AFP) - At least eight conservative Iranian newspapers have ignored
an order by the culture ministry to make public their print runs, the Hamshahri
daily reported on Sunday >>> FULL TEXT
Iran may ban cops from campus
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iranian lawmakers approved a draft bill Sunday
that would ban police from entering universities without permission, a central
issue since security forces and Islamic vigilantes stormed a dormitory last
year and beat up students >>> FULL TEXT
Iran court split on charges vs Jews
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - A three-judge appeals court reviewing the jail
terms of 10 Iranian Jews convicted of spying for Israel is divided on whether
all the charges constituted crimes, a senior judicial official said in comments
reported Monday >>> FULL TEXT
Majority of Iranian girls wish they were
boys
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Fifty-three percent of Iranian girls interviewed
in a recent survey said that if they could be born again they would prefer
to be boys, a newspaper reported on Sunday >>> FULL TEXT
Japanese energy delegation arrives in Tehran
TEHRAN,
Aug 21 (AFP) - A Japanese delegation arrived in Tehran Monday for two days
of meetings with Iranian officials, state radio said, in what are the first-ever
high-level direct energy talks between the two nations >>> FULL
TEXT
Iran says it makes big oil, gas find
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran has made new discoveries of 1.07 billion
barrels of oil and 800 billion cubic feet of gas, an energy official was
quoted on Sunday as saying >>> FULL TEXT
Iran says it holds up to three billion
barrels of oil in Caspian
TEHRAN,
Aug 21 (AFP) - Iran said Monday that the oil reserves in its part of the
Caspian Sea amount to between 2.5 and three billion barrels, state radio
reported >>> FULL TEXT
Private TV: Yes or no?
Tehran
(Hamshahri) -- The debate over the creation of private TV stations continues.
State TV chief Ali Larijani has given his (tentative) blessings, but many
questions remain >>> FULL PERSIAN TEXT
Rezaie's emphasis on hope
Tehran
(Iran daily) -- Reza Karam Rezaie, veteran man of the theater, is currently
directing a play based loosely on one of Unesco's plays. "I've dealt
with hope and happiness rather than death," he says. An Interview >>>
FULL PERSIAN TEXT
Tourism: Iran safe to visit?
Tehran
(Hamshahri) -- Some 40 percent of foreign tourists consider Iran a safe
country to visit, while 48 percent say it is "somewhat safe",
according to a survey >>> FULL PERSIAN TEXT
Esteqlal thrash Rasht
TEHRAN, August 18 (Iran Sports Press) -- With video: Esteghlal
Tehran thrashed Esteghlal Rasht 6-1 on Friday at Azadi Stadium in the third
week of the Azadegan League. Esteghlal, packed with more firing power this
season then previous two season combined, easily dominated and defeated
the young Esteghlal team from Rasht >>> FULL TEXT
Penalty goal gives Persepolis win
AHVAZ, August 18 (Iran Sports Press) -- With video: A penalty kick
enabled Persepolis to edge by Fulad Khuzestan 1-0 on Friday at Takhti Stadium.
In scorching heat of 45 celsius, both teams failed to put forth an attractive
and exciting performance >>> FULL TEXT
Azizi gives Quakes rare against DC United
WASHINGTON, August 19, 2000 (Iran Sports Press) -- Rookie goalkeeper
Jon Conway's outstanding effort and Khodadad Azizi's 53rd-minute goal led
the San Jose Earthquakes to a rare road victory, 1-0 at D.C. United, on
Saturday night at RFK Stadium >>> FULL TEXT
BBC
Mostazafan to be re-structuerd
Bonyad-e Mostazafan, a powerful economic foundation
is to be re-structured. Its new consitution provides for a delition of middle
and high ranking managers and a closer scrutiny of its affair. Daryoush
Homai asks Dr Bahman Arman, economist, his insight on the issue: >>> LISTEN HERE
BBC Persian
Service
Exchange rate
Updated August 16
Buying: 813 to 816 tomans per dollar
Selling: 822 to 828 tomans per dollar
CALL TOLL FREE: 877-SEHHATY (877-734-4289)
or 800-995-0264
Mention this code for a better rate:
FA 37 B
Business
news
The Web
Iran
Soothing
music
"Mehdi's extraordinary instrumental music
is an extended adventurous journey with many multi-cultural influences.
Consider it a tool to quiet the mind, soothe the soul and alleviate stress."
Beyond Iran
Impressionism
"Bonjour mes amis, I will be your guide
on your tour of impressionism," begins this introduction to what was
once a controversial art movement. Travel in a pop-up window with the cartoon
boulevardier from salon to cafe, read selected artists' biographies, and
best of all, enjoy the paintings.
More
web sites
Quote Unquote
Smarter than Spaniards
At the end of the term of the present parliament free elections
would be organized with the participation of candidates from all parties.
In the summer of 1979. And I would empower as prime minister the head of
the winning party or coalition according to the Constitution. Our people
are not less educated and able than the Spanish!
-- Fereydoun Hoveyda
"Free
elections, 1979"
The Iranian
August 18, 2000
Photo of the Day
Googoosh
in Los Angeles
Music
Nikbakht
& Martone
Music
artists index
Art
Fakhri Golestan
Vase |
