Join us at the Edinburgh Iranian Festival to celebrate the launch of The Book of Tehran published by Comma Press – a collection of contemporary short stories from ten renowned contemporary Iranian writers. Enjoy a reading of the stories with Nazli Tabatabai-Khatambakhsh, hear more about the anthology and pick up one of the very first copies of the book!
Tehran is the beating heart of Iran, a creative tour de force and a city that has for decades produced some of the most inventive voices in the Middle East. In a rare commission, a new collection of stories offers a glimpse into the real life of this city. The outside world focuses on extremes in Iran, but what the writers herein set out to portray are the inner stories of urban life, and where they stand in all of this; their identity, their connections and their private lives. The short story is a popular format in Iran, offering a window to different perspectives and an opportunity to showcase rising writers. Readers will experience Tehran through ten of the best contemporary short stories published after 2000, available for the first time in English, from the country’s most exciting literary voices: Goli Taraghi, Kourosh Asadi, Payam Nasser, Azardokht Bahrami, Fereshteh Ahmadi, Mohammad Hosseini, Amirhossein Khorshidfar, Hamed Habibi, Atoosa Afshin-Navid & Mohammad Tolouei – brilliantly interpreted by leading Persian to English translators. Often reflective, and sometimes humorous, ironic, poetic, romantic or surreal.
This publication forms part of a wider programme by Visiting Arts promoting contemporary Iranian literature and culture in the UK, encouraging the advancement of Persian to English translation, and facilitating professional development opportunities and exchange between UK and Iran literary networks.
This event is free but ticketed (via Eventbrite) with limited seating. Click here to book. http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/event/edinburgh-iranian-festival-launch-…
The Edinburgh Iranian Festival aims to increase understanding of Iranian culture, history and people, at a time when perceptions of the country in the Western world are heavily skewed by politics. Aiming to span both Iran’s rich history and its contemporary cultural life, this biennial festival hopes to address misconceptions by introducing Scotland to the heart and soul of Iran – from its art and music, through to its history and food. With over 5,000 Iranians currently living in Scotland, and given the celebrated tradition for cultural festivals in the Capital, Edinburgh is a natural home for this Festival.