’Worldwide Reading’ of Iranian Literature

Readings in German, English, and Farsi to take place across Freie Universität on December 10, 2022

In solidarity with those protesting in Iran, the Institute for Iranian Studies, the Peter Szondi Institute of Comparative Literature, and Friedrich Schlegel Graduate School of Literary Studies (FSGS) at Freie Universität Berlin will be participating in a literary day of action with three readings on December 10, 2022. Taking place on Saturday afternoon (international Human Rights Day), students, doctoral researchers, and poets will present a range of modern and contemporary texts from Iranian literature, with readings taking place in German, English, and Farsi. Attendance for all three events is free, however, those wishing to attend the reading at FSGS are requested to register in advance by sending an email to pauline.westerbarkey@fu-berlin.de or chiara.liso@fu-berlin.de. The events are taking place as part of the "Worldwide Reading" of Iranian literature - a call for action presented by the international literature festival berlin with participants in Bangladesh, Canada, and the USA. The aim is to demonstrate solidarity with those protesting in Iran and with the Iranian diaspora.

The readings are also intended as a sign of respect for the unique determination of the people - and above all, women, - in Iran currently fighting for their freedom. The series of events will take place on December 10 at Freie Universität Berlin as part of the "Worldwide Reading" of Iranian texts.

  • The first event will begin at FSGS at 3:00 p.m. Here, doctoral students will perform readings from works by Forugh Farrokhzad, Shahrnush Parsipur, and Shaghayegh Shahroudi, and examine how different generations have used their texts to question traditional norms.
    Time and location: 3:00-5:00 p.m.; Rostund Silberlaube, Room JK 33/121, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin; attendees must register for the event in advance.
  • From 5:30 p.m. onwards, students at the Peter Szondi Institute will read a selection of poems from Ferdowsi, Saadi, Forugh Farrokhzad, and Granaz Moussavi in Farsi, together with their English translations.
    Time and location: 5:30-7:00 p.m.; Rostund Silberlaube, Room KL 32/202, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin.
  • The Institute for Iranian Studies will be hosting a reading of poetic texts in Farsi with their German translations. The event includes readings from the poets Ali Abdollahi, Mariam Meetra, Mostafa Samadi, and Afshin Javadi Torshizi, with musical accompaniment from Salam Riazy.
    Time and location: 6:00 p.m.; Holzlaube, Fabeckstraße 23/25, Room -12009 (basement level), 14195 Berlin (Access also possible from Rudi-Dutschke-Weg).