In November 2021, I endeavored to write at least 1600 words every day for a month without limiting myself to any one form. I had a story I needed to tell, but I was unclear on the “how.” What came …
New Essay
Testimonies written by Iranian Female Composers Association (IFCA) members inside of Iran
ANONYMOUS #1
1. How do you evaluate your career as an Iranian female composer/singer in Iran?
As a female composer, I must work harder to establish my artistic work. As a composer in general, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, …
Kesi gir dad?
It’s the first question I ask my friend as she meets me at Food Court, the new hot spot located inside the Jam-e-Jam shopping complex and, as the name says, a food court in Tehran. It’s the first of its …
The Rose Generation
All the past years I had visited Molana Rumi in Konya, I had never heard of that house. I knocked and a young woman with long, black hair opened the door for me. Not surprised by strangers, she welcomed me …
Wrong Syntax
I cannot say anything straight about Iran. I use small words, simple, but the ideas come out twisted up, like a pair of French pantyhose the women wear to mehmoonis, then pull off in relief as the night ends; unzip the dress, …
Farsi is killing me
I grew up in Tehran, where Farsi is used everywhere. It’s also my mother tongue. I scored high in the Farsi literature section of Iran’s competitive national university entrance exam. I think Farsi sounds as pretty as French. If more …
Passing: An Elegy in VIII Parts
I.
As a child, you hate sticking out the way you do: weird house, weird family, weird language. But your father calls you a princess, claims his uncle had sworn to royal blood even on his dying day. Regardless of …
