Let Her Sing: Female Vocalist Struggles to Perform in Islamic Republic of Iran
Sepideh Jandaghi is a professional singer who's unable to perform solo in Iran because she's a woman. The Islamic Republic's laws and customs also makes ...
ART, CULTURE, SOCIETY
June 1, 2018
Iranian Celebrities Shun President Rouhani’s Ramadan Dinner Invitation
Several Iranian celebrities publicly turned down President Hassan Rouhani’s invitation to attend a Ramadan “iftar” dinner scheduled for May 30, 2018, in protest against social and economic issues with the hashtag, “We_will_not_go_to_Iftar” ...
May 14, 2018
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Interacting With People Living With Disabilities
There's a new and growing conversation about disability rights in Iran. Here are 10 ways we can treat people with disabilities as equals and with respect. We all have a ...
December 8, 2017
Iran’s Culture Minister Says He’s Trying to “Transform” Conservative Clerics’ Views on Music
Before musicians can perform concerts in Iran without the threat of the authorities suddenly canceling them, someone has to convince conservative Shia Muslim clerics that music is not un-Islamic. “Some of the things that ...
August 23, 2017
Cartoon 172: Authors in Iran
Iranian cartoonist Touka Neyastani depicts the life of authors in Iran, struggling to publish their works amid strict censorship laws....
June 20, 2017
Beyond the Ban: Exhibition Spotlights Major Iranian-American Artists
Works by prominent Iranian-American artists were showcased to a packed house on June 14, the opening night of the “Beyond the Ban” art exhibition, a collaboration between the Center for Human Rights in ...
December 8, 2016
Briefing: Iran’s Fashion Industry is the Latest Victim of Khamenei’s War on Western Culture
December 24, 2015
Popular Iranian Poet Arrested for Third Time amidst Hardline Crackdown against Artistic Community
The well-known Iranian poet Mohamadreza Haj Rostambegloo was released on bail from Karaj’s Central Prison last week, following his third arrest by the authorities in Iran in the last six years. His mother, Maryam Soltani, told the ...
January 13, 2014
Authorities Close Cultural Events in Tehran Despite Rouhani’s Recent Support of Artists
Over the past few days, Iranian authorities have inexplicably delayed and cancelled two cultural events in Tehran. The first was a well-publicized group exhibition of paintings commemorating the birthday of the beloved female poet, Forough Farrokhzad, scheduled to open in Tehran’s Vista Gallery on Friday, ...
December 16, 2013
Iranian Artists Launch Online Petition to Minister of Culture Denouncing Crackdown
In a letter addressed to Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati, a group of Iranian musicians, music principals, and supporters have asked him to end the suppression of musicians and music professionals and to ensure that artists are not imprisoned for producing ...
March 22, 2010
45 Iranian Artists Demand Release of Filmmakers: Is Ill-Treatment, Coercion, and Imprisonment the Only Way?
More than 45 famous Iranian filmmakers, actors, and authors have demanded the releases of Mohammad Nourizad and Jafar Panahi. In their letter they state: “We, the undersigned, support the rights of all filmmakers who are able to make films now and in the future, and ...
July 20, 2009
Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureates, Iranian Poets and Artists Support July 25th Global Day of Action
“We deplore the violence and crackdown on peaceful protesters, the increasing restrictions on civil liberties, and the imprisonment of a growing number of civil leaders in Iran. ” Archbishop Destmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate, 1984 “If one country sincerely wants to support democracy in another ...