The Iranian Revolution Was The Revolution Of The Century Against The Century — A French Journalist

When I was a student in Paris in the mid-1980s, I had heard of Yann Richard but had never actually met him. The very first time was many years later, when he attended the MESA (The Middle East Studies Association) conference in Boston in 2006. A renowned scholar and a most charming person, he spoke beautiful Persian and even recited poetry by heart. Years later, he invited a large group of his friends from all over the U.S. and Europe to attend his 65th birthday party in his home village of Joncy. We were delighted to be among the many friends who were invited. He spoke of his love for Iran, of Iranian culture and recited poetry of Hafez. His mother, now deceased, also read a poem she had written for Yann which included parts that showed his love for Iran.

In his beautiful garden which he calls Behesht (heaven), an Iranian friend, as a gift to him, built a badgir (a wind catcher, originally built in Kashan). The night in that garden was filled with speeches, Persian music, poetry reading and great food. For me and everyone who attended this Jashn (celebration) It was a most memorable celebration.

Yann Richard’s garden and badgir, Jonce, France (photo credit: Fariba Amini)

Yann Richard was born in 1948, studied philosophy and linguistics before entering the realm of Persian literature. He visited Iran for the first time in 1970 and lived in Tehran from 1975 and 1981, before, during and after the revolution. He became a researcher on the sociology of Islam in contemporary Iran and in 1991 was appointed professor of Iranian studies at the Sorbonne Nouvelle, a position he held until his retirement in 2011.

His publications in English translation include a study of modern Shi’ism (Shi’ite Islam, Oxford, Blackwell, 1995) and a forthcoming History of Modern Iran (Iran. A social and political history since the Qajars, Cambridge University Press, 2019). His other edited book, East and West of Zagros, Travel, War and Politics in Persia and Iraq (1913-1921) published by Brill, is being translated into Persian as we speak.

Professor Richard is surely one of the best modern historians of Iran.

Since retiring, he has been residing in his ancestral town/village of Joncy in Bourgogne, France.

Yann Richard (photo credit, Fariba Amini)

Here is the text of the interview:

You have studied Iran for almost five decades now.
What drew you to Iran, its language and culture?

Mystical poetry. And the very sophisticated urbanity of Iranians.

When did you go to Iran and in what capacity?

I spent two years as a language teacher (1970-72), during which I learnt enough Persian to read Ferdowsi and Sa’di. Three years later I came back as a fellow researcher at the French Institute of Iranian Studies in Tehran (1975-80) to work on my doctoral dissertation.

You were present during the street demonstrations in 1979. What were your thoughts then and now, after 40 years?

I was in Tehran through the entire revolution. I never felt in any danger and was happy getting rid of the Pahlavi regime. It was a great moment of history not only for Iran, but also for the world.

Photo by Behjat Sadr, painter

As a scholar of Iran, did you think that Iran was about to go through a revolutionary process? Was the Revolution avoidable?

Can you avoid your fate? Iran was rich, the Shah was strong but people want more than money and order, they want dignity and freedom. The Shah had no confidence in himself and didn’t know where he wanted to go, his dependency from US made him a prisoner of his own system.

The Shah had no confidence in himself and didn’t know where he wanted to go, his dependency from US made him a prisoner of his own system.

Do you think the future of Iran was decided in Guadeloupe ?

The Guadeloupe conference was certainly an occasion for Jimmy Carter to start a new initiative towards Iran. General Huyser’s stay in Tehran and Bakhtiar’s failure were also decisive.

What are your best memories of Iran?

In Shiraz in Spring 1971, I used to sit in the Bâq-e Haft-tanân reading poetry while
the nightingales were singing.

I know you know a lot of verses of Persian poetry by heart. I have even heard you recite them in a beautiful Persian. Who is your favorite classical poet?

I have no one poet whom I can call mine. I love Sa’di, I love Ferdowsi, I love Rumi, I
love above all Nezâmi.

How about a modern Iranian poet?

Sohrâb Sepehri

Why Sohrab?

(Here Dr. Richard replied in Persian)

مثل درختان نقاشیِ خود، سپهری ریشه دارد، برگ‌های سبز هم دارد که نیرو از باد می‌گیرند و به باد
نمی‌روند. (Like the trees in his paintings, Sepehri has roots. He also has leaves which take energy from winds and don’t yield to the winds).

If you were to read a verse of a poem, which one do you think best describe our times?

در اندرون من خستی دل ندانم کیست
که من خموشم و او در فغان و در غوغا ست

Are you optimistic about the future of Iran and Iranians especially with the current sanctions and internal issues?

I am always optimistic.

Cover photo: Demonstrators march through the streets of Tehran. 1979.Ahmad Kavousian/Getty Images

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