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She said: "I have come a long way. This wasn't an accident. Or maybe it was. On the way, sometimes you go as far as your energy goes, and sometimes new energy sources find you. Sometimes doors slam in your face, but sometimes huge gates will open."

Photo essay: A chat with naqqal Fatemeh Habibizad

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It seems every corner of Habibizad's thought and dialogue is touched either by Ferdowsi and Shahnameh, or other Iranian poets. Poetry flows from her thoughts and chats, even about the most mundane day-to-day subjects.

Photo essay: A chat with naqqal Fatemeh Habibizad

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She was born in Ahvaz, Iran. She attended the Museum Studies program at the Cultural Heritage University in Tehran. In her research at the university, she came across the art of Naqqali, and started an apprenticeship with Morshed Torabi, one of the most prominent naqqals in Iran. Her pursuit of the art took her through a journey to identify and meet masters of Naqali and to learn the craft from the very best.

Photo essay: A chat with naqqal Fatemeh Habibizad

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She is soft-spoken, intelligent, and very passionate about her work.

Photo essay: A chat with naqqal Fatemeh Habibizad

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She not only became a naqqal, she set out to become a celebrated researcher on the subject of Abolghasem Ferdowsi's legend, Shahnameh, The Book of Kings.

Photo essay: A chat with naqqal Fatemeh Habibizad

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Fatemeh Habibizad, also known as Gordafarid, is the first Iranian woman to train as a Naqqal, narrator of Shahnameh, moving on to become a teacher on the subject of Nagqali (musical narration) as well as a devoted researcher on the subject.

Photo essay: A chat with naqqal Fatemeh Habibizad

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I had the good fortune of chatting with Fatemeh Habibizad recently.

Photo essay: A chat with naqqal Fatemeh Habibizad

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She has come to US on an invitation from The Iranian Women's Studies Foundation (IWSF). Her Northern America tour brings her to San Francisco Bay Area this weekend. She will appear at two shows at Central Stage in Richmond on Friday and Saturday, May 7th and 8th. See her to San Francisco Bay Area this weekend. She will appear at two shows at Central Stage in Richmond on Friday and Saturday, May 7th and 8th.

Photo essay: A chat with naqqal Fatemeh Habibizad

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زنی بود برسان گردی سوار

همیشه به جنگ اندرون نامدار

کجا نام او بود گردآفرید

زمانه ز مادر چنین ناورید

Photo essay: A chat with naqqal Fatemeh Habibizad

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