شعر و شراب
Bring your own bottle of wine (or flask of tea) and your favourite poem by one of Iran’s or Scotland’s well known poets. There will be distinguished guests attending this poetry night, such Iranian poets Soheila Ghodstinat , Mehri Kashani and Lobat Vala. Wine and poetry are two things that have been found side by side in Persian poems, and they shall unite once again in Scotland.
A new addition to this event is live music by Sahra. See below for more information on the band.
Date / Time: Saturday 29th Jan 2011 / 20:00-22:00
Venue: The Bazaar Nomadic Tent, St. John’s Church (Rear Hall), West End Princes St., Edinburgh, EH2 4BJ
Entry: FREE Admission
Lobat Vala
Lobat Vala born in Tehran 1930, is one of the most famous contemporary poets of Iran. Her works are symbolic of her sacred sentiments,spontaineity and enormous literary taste.
As one of the first Iranian women journalist she was the editor of weekly magazines "Coocholouha", Women's Magazine, and "Tehran Mossavar". She has been one of the pioneer campaigners for the women's Rights in Iran. As an employee of the Ministry of Culture & Art, she was the director of literary and musical programs for television and radio including writing plays, operas, and lyrics for Tehran Opera House "Talar Rudaki". She has lived in Australia and Britain since 1979. While in Melbourne, she obtained a degree in Middle Eastern Studdies from Melbourne University. In London she worked as a journalist and writer in Kayhan weekly newspaper until 2006.
Lobat Vala has published several short stories, novels and poetry books in Persian including "Raghs- Yadha", "Gousassteh", "Ta vaghtikeh khorous meekhanad", "Zendaneeh zendegi", "Pargoshoudanha" , "Fardaee Digar" and "Prayer of Love", selected poems from which have been translated into English by Shiva Sheybany.
Lobat Vala born in Tehran 1930, is one of the most famous contemporary poets of Iran. Her works are symbolic of her sacred sentiments,spontaineity and enormous literary taste.
As one of the first Iranian women journalist she was the editor of weekly magazines "Coocholouha", Women's Magazine, and "Tehran Mossavar". She has been one of the pioneer campaigners for the women's Rights in Iran. As an employee of the Ministry of Culture & Art, she was the director of literary and musical programs for television and radio including writing plays, operas, and lyrics for Tehran Opera House "Talar Rudaki". She has lived in Australia and Britain since 1979. While in Melbourne, she obtained a degree in Middle Eastern Studdies from Melbourne University. In London she worked as a journalist and writer in Kayhan weekly newspaper until 2006.
Lobat Vala has published several short stories, novels and poetry books in Persian including "Raghs- Yadha", "Gousassteh", "Ta vaghtikeh khorous meekhanad", "Zendaneeh zendegi", "Pargoshoudanha" , "Fardaee Digar" and "Prayer of Love", selected poems from which have been translated into English by Shiva Sheybany.
Mehri Kashani
Soheila Ghodstinat
Soheila was born in Tehran but left Iran at 15 to further her education in Switzerland and America. She is a poet, writer and actor. In her first novel, A Journey to Starland, she expresses her struggles, hardships, hopes, dreams and finally love.She has lived in 42 different places, in 13 cities in 7 countries
She is an actor, writer, poet and education facilitator and she gained experience in this areas through working with the Lyric Hammersmith on a course called Flight Paths. She has built up a number of skills over the years, i.e.: excellent Communication skills, patience, pastoral care, teaching skills, performing and acting. She has travelled many different countries, which has allowed her to gain experience and knowledge from people from all walks of life. She is very passionate about working in all kind of art such as theatre, film, storytelling, writing and poetry.
Soheila was born in Tehran but left Iran at 15 to further her education in Switzerland and America. She is a poet, writer and actor. In her first novel, A Journey to Starland, she expresses her struggles, hardships, hopes, dreams and finally love.She has lived in 42 different places, in 13 cities in 7 countries
She is an actor, writer, poet and education facilitator and she gained experience in this areas through working with the Lyric Hammersmith on a course called Flight Paths. She has built up a number of skills over the years, i.e.: excellent Communication skills, patience, pastoral care, teaching skills, performing and acting. She has travelled many different countries, which has allowed her to gain experience and knowledge from people from all walks of life. She is very passionate about working in all kind of art such as theatre, film, storytelling, writing and poetry.
The Band Sahra
SAHRA duo was formed in December 2009. Sara and Sahand rearrange Iranian folk and old songs with guitar and two voices. They want their arrangements to be simple and warm. Nostalgia as well as creativity are the main elements of theis arrangements.
Sahra is also making its own music which is based on persian poems, vocal harmonies and jazz chords. "When we create our own melodies and harmonies on poems, we find our own ways of understanding and citing the poems which pushes us into a new illustrative world. "
www.myspace.com/sahrabandiran
Books about Iran Available at Blackwell's
فروش کتاب درباره ایران
To mark the Festival, Blackwell's Bookshop have put together a special collection of books on Iran, its history, and its culture. All are available for purchase throughout the Festival. So visit Blackwell's and enjoy a browse!
Date / Time: 28th Jan - 6th Feb 2011 / All Day
Venue: Blackwell's, 53-62 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1YS
Entry: FREE Admission
Q&A and Book Reading: Ctesias at the Court of the Great King
پرسش و پاسخ و کتاب خوانیThis event takes place at Blackwell’s Bookshop, South Bridge. Dr. Lloyd Llewellyn‐Jones will be talking about his book Ctesias’ History of Persia: Tales of the Orient. You will have a chance to purchase a signed copy of the book at the end of this event.
Ctesias of Cnidus was a doctor who lived and worked in the Persian court of the Achaemenid monarchs. With good access to the monarchs, he wrote his twenty-three book History of Persia at the beginning of the fourth centry BCE.
Date / Time: Thursday 3rd Feb 2011 / 18:00 - 19:00
Venue: Blackwell's, 53-62 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1YS
Entry: FREE Admission
Storytelling from Shahnameh
شاهنامه خوانی
Shahnameh (or The Book of Kings) is an enormous poetic opus written by the Iranian poet Ferdowsi around 1000 AD and is a national epic of the Persian-speaking world. It tells the mythical and historical past of Greater Iran from the creation of the world up until the Islamic conquest of Iran in the 7th century. We will be telling some of the stories contained within this masterpiece in English. Children and adults are both welcome.
This event will start with the screening of a short animation, Mixed Nutz "Persian Adventure". See Film section for further details.
Date / Time: Saturday 5th Feb 2011 / 14:00 - 15:30
Venue: Pleasance Cabaret Bar, 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH8 9TJ
Entry: FREE Admission
For more information/advice, please e-mail: info@ediranfest.co.uk