Persian Heritage
Persian Heritage Vol. 23, No. 90 Summer 2018 www.persian-heritage.com Persian Heritage, Inc. FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK 6 110 Passaic Avenue Tabatabei House 7 Passaic, NJ 07055 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 8 E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: (973) 471-4283 NEWS Fax: 973 471 8534 Norooz in Paris 9 Downtism Cafe 11 EDITOR COMMENTARY SHAHROKH AHKAMI Comment on Trump’s Norooz Message to Iranians 12 EDITORIAL BOARD (John Limbert) Dr. Mehdi Abusaidi, Shirin Ahkami Raiszadeh, Dr. Mahvash Alavi Naini, Iran or Persia (Kambiz Atabai) 13 Mohammad Bagher Alavi, Dr. Talat Bassari, Mohammad H. Hakami, Remembering the Righteous Iranians 13 Ardeshir Lotfalian, K. B. Navi, Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh, Farhang A. (Jacqueline Saper) Sadeghpour, Mohammad K. Sadigh, From Balfour Declaration to Occupation 14 M. A. Dowlatshahi. (Reza Vaghefi) MANAGING EDITOR Bomb (Gil Troy) 18 HALLEH NIA THE ARTS & CULTURE ADVERTISING HALLEH NIA REVIEWS 20 Negar Ahkami’s New Collection 21 * The contents of the articles and adver tisements in this journal, with the exception What Iran’s Dazzling Art Tells Us 22 of the editorial, are the sole works of each individual writers and contributors. This maga (Joobin Bekhrad) zine does not have any confirmed knowledge as to the truth and veracity of these articles. This Is Not Iran, This Is Argentina 24 all contributors agree to hold harmless and (Jacqueline Saper) indemnify Persian Heritage (Mirass-e Iran), Persian Heritage Inc., its editors, staff, board When You Think About Fashion 25 of directors, and all those indi viduals directly associated with the publishing of this maga Germania, Vikings, Saxons and Ancient Iran 28 zine. The opinions expressed in these articles are the sole opinions of the writers and not the (Kaveh Farrokh) journal. No article or picture submitted will be Caravansaray 31 returned to the writer or contributor. All articles submitted in English must be typed. (Mohammad-Yusuf Kiani and Wolfram) * The appearance of advertising in this maga zine does not constitute a guaran tee or en dorsement of the products by Persian Heritage . In addition, articles and letters published do not reflect the views of this publication. Important Notice * Letters to the Editor should be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to the above addresses and numbers. All written submissions to The journal reserves the right to edit same for space and clarity or as deemed appropriate. Persian Heritage with the ex Special * All requests for permissions and reprints must pectation of publication in the be made in writing to the managing editor. magazine must include the announcement: PUBLISHED BY PERSIAN HERITAGE, INC. writer’s name, address and tele Contact our A corporation organized for cultural and phone number. When an article literary purposes is submitted we assume the au California based Advertising Cover Price: $6.00 Subscriptions: $24.00/year (domestic); thor has complete ownership of Agent for your ads. $30.00 & 50.00/year (International) the article and the right to grant Typesetting & Layout permission for publication. (973) 471-4283 TALIEH PUBLICATIONS
Summer 2018 5 FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
Some time has passed since the death of one of the most In response Mr. Motiei stated that their only role in society was popular faces in Iranian cinema, Naser Malek Motiei. This man’s to entertain the public and make them laugh. How did that become life is still being discussed. His funeral was very special with a crime? He then asked the prosecutor if he could leave the room. men and women honoring him in speeches. Some speaking used Upon his return his eyes were blood red. So, then the story goes the platform as a chance to outwardly challenge the censorship that this man, at the age of forty-seven and at the prime of his life of Iranian media, television, film and radio against certain film, and acting career, was forced to retire from a career he loved so actors, directors and subject matter. It showed the difficult condi- much, not because of his age, but by order of a government. He tions Iranians live under and the limitations placed on them by became isolated. This was the fate of so many others, who elected the government-controlled media. And it demonstrated the severe to remain in Iran. Like Mr. Motiei, they too were forced to leave consequences, jail or other means of silencing, if they dare to their careers and professions. They too were silenced and isolated speak against them. in their own homes, living only through memories. Some left un- After his passing there was much talk about Mr. Motiei’s able to handle the humiliation and joblessness. Mr. Motiei stayed glorious acting career. Thinking of him brought me back to my in Iran and recalled witnessing the physical departure of his friends youth. I remembered him as a handsome young man. I remem- from Iran or hearing of their deaths. bered the magnitude of his stardom; very few were able to reach He lived a lonely life in silence and in the end, it was the his level of success in the film industry. Over the years, Iranian silence that allowed his name to remain in good standing. For me cinema became more popular. New actors came on the scene such his forced silence and the forced silence of others is a reminder as Googoosh, Panahi, Behrouz Vosooghi, Fardin and others, but of the oppressive government now in place. Mr. Motiei never lost his popularity. For many reasons, these days when I close my eyes, I see During the revolution I was away from Iran. Many celebri- the image of Mr. Motiei’s image. I see his large eyes, his round ties also left Iran for other places and their careers were easy to and puffy face, not the one of the handsome man I remember. follow. Mr. Motiei, however, seemed to disappear. I never saw My eyes become filled with tears, my words choke me, and I lose pictures or heard news about him. I asked a few friends in Iran the ability to write his story. I never met him. My only memories to inquire about him, to see if he would be interested in doing an of him are from his acting career. But, as I read the story of his interview with the magazine. There was no response. Fortunately, forty years of suppression and silence I become troubled. It is a Facebook friends sent me photos of Mr. Motiei and I was startled. story millions of Iranians share. These photos were of a frazzled, old and overweight man. There For the past forty years human rights in Iran have been stripped was no resemblance of the handsome actor I remembered, except from the people and enforced through violence and harsh treat- his charming smile. This Facebook connection eventually led us ment. Mr. Motiei’s story reminds me of the young girls, women to photos of his hospital stay and his passing. and elderly who bravely, took great risks by standing on posts and Until recently, I did not know why he disappeared from demanding their human rights; to have a choice of what to wear the public scene, I did recall that his popularity diminished or to uncover their hair. For this they are brutally confronted by immediately following the revolution. Prior to the revolution the authorities. While the government dictates that the wearing he played numerous characters in over one hundred films and of the hijab and no makeup is a reflection of their integrity, these also directed. His dropping from notoriety did not seem unusual women believe that integrity comes from kindness within and how since, he like so many other aging actors have faced the same one respects and treats another, regardless of differences in choice consequences; they admit that age affects acting careers. They and opinion. But to get this message across they pay a great price. are replaced by a younger generation. (I believe there is a cliché The image of Mr. Motiei’s wrinkled half shaved face reflects that goes like this “when the new come into the bazaar, the old the past forty years of hardship the people of Iran have endured. The are thrown into the trash.”) Baha’i’s have been forced to shut down their schools, they are not I was taken aback when I heard the news of Mr. Motiei’s hired, and their shops are closed. They are forced to live in misery death and was emotionally moved when I learned the reason for and hardship. Parents are unable send their children to school. They his disappearance and why he lived in the dark for over forty are called spies and labeled as traitors. The pressures placed on years. After the revolution, he was subpoenaed by the courts in fellow citizens by the government are becoming unbearable. Does Iran and banned from any kind of acting. According to Googoosh, this regime think such pressures cause them to change their faith? a renown Iranian celebrity, the day the prosecutor took them to Mr. Motiei’s old wrinkled face with the charming smile re- court for questioning, Mr. Motiei questioned the prosecutor as minds me of the eighty thousand “KOULEBAR” (the transporters to the reasons they had been thrown into jail? He stated that they of goods on their backs) who carry their bags of goods across had not committed any crimes and/or murdered anyone. The mountains, through snow, rain, heat, mud, desert sand, barefoot prosecutor responded by saying that they had committed a more and starving all to reach their assigned delivery destination. Now treacherous crime then murder. added to their difficult lives they are being shot at like animals
6 No. 90 F R O M T H E E D I T O R ’ S D E S K in a hunting expedition, by their own government. WHY??? words to his audience. His face reminds us that these days of misery Mr. Motiei’s face reminds me of so many others who took and sadness are not everlasting. He reminds us that these days will their lives when they lost their livelihood and wealth because of come to an end and that life is ever changing, not permanent. Mr. a failing banking system. How ironic it is that the revolution that Motiei bore forty years of life in silence. He never crumbled under was supposed to fight corruption and get rid of a brutal regime in pressure. Mr. Motiei’s strength was never broken. He refused to the end is as corrupt and brutal. Its leaders live the lives of kings give into oppression. He passed away with his head held high. I inside and outside Iran. They surround themselves in luxury de- cannot recall any other individual, so visible in the public eye then rived from stealing and draining the country’s assets and wealth. silenced for forty years, still be so loved after his demise. This corrupt system has suffocated its people. One of these It is true that as humans we worship the dead. It was unfor- individuals, Mr. Khavari (former head of the central bank of Iran) tunately his death that brought him back to life. For forty years stole over three billion dollars and deposited the money into foreign this ruling regime thought by silencing him, cutting him out of banks. Mr. Khavari, who is related to Mr. Haddad Adel (one of the the public eye, censoring his films and not allowing them on the founders of the revolution and who now lives the life of a king in screen for all to see, that he would be forgotten by those who Canada.) Mr. Khavari’s son is known as the Trump of Canada. Mr. shared his youth, or that he would be forgotten by the new gen- Khavari can be seen gambling away in casinos. erations now being introduced to him through his death. Once Mr. Motiei’s face and his passing, after years of misery and again, the regime is proven wrong. His legacy remains and is hardship, reminds me of the young educated environmentalists stronger. His death reminds us that years of silencing him and who were accused of being spies who are now prisoners. One keeping him away from his acting profession did not silence his of these individuals, who is internationally known for his envi- message. Mr. Motiei, with his famous bushy eyebrows, is now a ronmental research, was tortured and alleged to have attempted hero. Though his life was silenced for forty years, his message suicide. Some of these individuals, whose names I have become and his face are a roar across a nation. The kindness and the joy familiar with, have done great things for their causes. They are he brought to so many will never be forgotten. May God bless well educated and would have been accepted by international his soul, the souls of others who suffered in silence and met the schools all over the world. They could have led a wonderful same fate. And may God bless those who presently suffer. You life, but instead they chose to remain in their home countries will forever be remembered. to pursue their activism and their dreams to better Iran. Some chose to travel to remote places in Iran to study and improve its environment. They too have ended up in prison cells. Mr. Motiei’s face and charming smile speaks a thousand
Tabatabai House in Kashan Khane-ye Tabatabaei This house was constructed in 1881. It originally comprised two separate buildings, elaborately integrated into a single structure. The most important sections of the house are located along its southern wing. This side is marked by a graceful veranda. The veranda is supported by slender, brilliantly decorated pillars, which are adorned with colored stucco-work and highlighted by a semicircular tympanum. From the veranda one enters a reception hall flanked on either side by patios - small courtyards open to the sky. The patios were an additional means of providing light to the living quarters. Each patio had a small pool and lots of flowerpots, which produced the feeling of an oasis in the middle of the desert, and created a remarkable lushness in an area where green plants were the ultimate luxury. The second, smaller and more private part of the mansion is arranged around a small courtyard, the north and south sides of which are emphasized by small eivans. The east side is marked by a hall with five doors. This hall gives onto the reception hall. The Tabatabai House is larger than the Brujerdiha House. It has 40 rooms and over 200 doors. It is particularly notable for wonderful mirror and stained-glass work.n
View of Tabatabei Historical House From Roof of Abbasian A View of Tabatabei Historical House’s Yard Historical House - Kashan - Central Iran
Summer 2018 7 L E T T E R S T O E D I T O R A POINT gration has already started, and overall, Dear Editor: major cities (especially Tehran) are sur- I read the interesting article of Dr. rounded by a migrant population of some Vaghefi and his recollections of a meet- eleven million indigents, unemployed, ing with Dr. Amini (Shah’s Illusions and homeless individuals who are under- Spiritual Beliefs). nourished and no longer subscribe to any Your readers would have been inter- moral code. This situation fosters disease, ested to learn whether Dr. Amini, during prostitution, corruption and despair. his audience with HIM, then asked the The communal ‘glue’ which has subject raised by the author and what was bound rural populations for centuries is HIS response? dissolving, and we are faced with an in- It is doubtful that even Dr. Amini soluble social problem, which may not be would have mentioned the name “Mossa- reversible, I fear. degh” (his cousin) in the presence of HIM. I am particularly glad that you paid Farhad Diba tribute to my dear friend Kavous Seyed- Emami, who was so brutally murdered in EMOTIONAL READ prison for no clear reason. Dear Editor: As you have said, the economic and I was greatly moved by your Editorial political situations are also dire, thanks article which appeared in the Spring edi- to corruption, poorly thought out govern- tion, No. 89, Volume 23 of your excellent ment policies and stifling international journal, Persian Heritage. sanctions. Alas, the current situation within Iran Finally, the external situation is also has deteriorated, as you have so eloquently becoming more alarming by the day, as recounted. we are being systematically demonized, First of all, there is the appalling en- mainly by Israel and the US, because, in vironmental situation, where our lakes, the sea of rubble they have created in the rivers and aquifers which have existed Middle East, Iran is the last man standing, for millions of years have dried up in only and must be taken down. So, the auguries forty years. for this new year are not optimistic, alas. Admittedly, we have had a pro- With my renewed appreciation of tracted drought, but the main cause for your excellent publication, this irreversible natural disaster is poor Fereydoun Ala management of our resources, together with the ignorance and indifference of our GRATEFUL authorities. Dear Editor: Many parts of the country are becom- This is to thank you for printing the ing uninhabitable as a result, and rural university student’s interview with my small-holders can no longer make a living daughter, Roxana, in your valuable maga- from agriculture, and dust pollution causes zine. I’m eternally indebted to you. chronic illness. With much gratitude and deepest respect, In consequence, major internal mi- Azar Aryanpour
APPRECIATION Dear Editor: Congrats to you for continuing to Subscribe publish this worthwhile journal. I know it must take a lot of effort and time, but it Today! is of considerable value and service to the Iranian-American community. Eradatmand, Hossein Gharib
Persian ADMIRATION Dear Editor: Heritage Once again, yet another excellent edi- tion of Persian Heritage Journal - thank you as always for the updates. As always, (973) I am admirer of your journal and deeply appreciate the hard work you achieve in 471-4283 preserving our ancient heritage Kaveh Farrokh
8 No. 90 N E W S Norooz in Paris
All the artists, dancers and musicians gratuitously partici- The celebration of Norooz in Paris was extraordinary. The pated at the event. It was open, without charge to all French- party given by The Association Culture Libre, took place on Iranian people with the goal of promoting Iranian art, culture March 17, 2018 at City Hall located in the 16th Arrondise- and the festivities of Norooz. ment. Over 1200 people attended the gala which ran from The gathering was organized by Association Culture 2PM to 9PM. Libre, whose president is Nahideh Anzalichi and The Asso- ciation of the Journal of Norooz, whose president is Massoud Mirshahi. Norooz, the oldest Iranian holiday celebration and practiced for over three thousand years, is currently celebrated and recognized in 27 countries around the world.
PARKER J. PALMER AWARD Dr. Jamshid Shirani, an Iranian-Iranian cardiologist, won the Park G Palmer Prize. The Ac- creditation Council for American Medical Graduates of the US, known as ACGME, says the reason behind this award is its innovation and courage in providing innovative educational methods for the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. Dr. Shirani, in an interview with Voice of America about the curriculum that he manages, said that the program was started seven years ago, he said: “My goal was that before the program began, all the educational principles New is included.” According to him, the goals of this curriculum focused on the CGME organization are that education in this program is independent of the system’s service needs, and that it focuses on indi- vidual creativity and, lastly, the patient is at the center of activities Educational. He explained that the CGME is a monitoring and enforcement organization that is responsible for the compilation of all the administrative rules of higher medical education at the level of auxiliary and supportive care, and currently there are about 8,500 educational programs under the umbrella of this organization. Dr. Jamshid Shirani has been teaching cardiologist for more than twenty years.
Summer 2018 9 N E W S AN IRANIAN AMERICAN, UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE Mummified Body Found in Iran Could Be Father of Last Shah Associated Press - A mummified body discov- ered near the site of a former royal mausoleum in Iran may be the remains of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty and the father of the country’s last shah. The recent find of the gauze-wrapped body - and the speculation it trig- gered - puts new hurdles in the way of the Islamic Republic’s efforts to fully erase the country’s dy- nastic past, which includes the jack-hammered destruction of the autocrat’s tomb immediately Tehran Times: On March 19, the U.S. Sen- after the 1979 revolution. Yet, as disaffection and ate appointed Nazak Nikakhtar as the as- economic problems grow ahead of the Islamic sistant secretary of commerce for industry Revolution’s 40th anniversary, mystique around and analysis affairs. Nazakhtar (Nazak) Iran’s age of monarchies persists even with its own Nikakhtar was sworn in as Assistant Sec- history of abuses. retary for Industry and Analysis. She will Reza Shah’s grandson, the U.S.-based exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, al- lead a team of trade professionals charged ready tweeted about it as forensic experts in Iran try to determine whose body they with enhancing the competitive position found. Construction workers discovered the mummified remains while working at of U.S. business in an increasingly global the Shiite shrine of Abdul Azim, whose minarets once rose behind Reza Shah’s own marketplace. mausoleum. A digger pulling away dirt and debris uncovered the body, according Ms. Nikakhtar will be the Under to the semi-official ISNA news agency. Secretary of Commerce for Industry and A spokesman for the shrine dismissed the idea of a mummy being found there. Information Analysis. She previously However, Hassan Khalilabadi, the head of Tehran City Council’s cultural heritage worked as a lawyer in international trade and tourism committee, was quoted by the state-run IRNA news agency on Monday in a law firm in Washington. She is a grad- that it’s “possible’’ the mummy is the body of Reza Shah. uate student at Los Angeles University and Authorities say they’ll need to conduct DNA tests to confirm whose body it is. Syracuse, and has taught at Georgetown State television has yet to report on the find, likely due to complications that men- University for some time. tioning the Pahlavis can entail. State media typically refer to the Persian dynasties, including the Pahlavis, as “despotic,’’ focusing on the abuses of the monarchy’s Director Oliver Stone in Iran feared SAVAK intelligence agency and their once-lavish lifestyles. for Movie Festival Reza Shah’s own rise gave birth to modern Iran itself, then still called Persia until he ordered foreign diplomats to cease using the name. He came to power in TEHRAN, Iran (AP): 1925, ruling as an absolute autocrat who used taxes and the country’s burgeoning American movie di- oil revenues to rapidly modernize the nation. rector Oliver Stone His decisions, particularly his 1936 decree banning women from wearing long, was in Iran attending flowing black robes known as chadors. He ordered men to wear Western clothes and an international film bring their wives to public functions with their hair uncovered, borrowing from the festival. Stone hosted secularization of Turkey’s first President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a contemporary. a workshop for film- The ban became a source of humiliation for some pious Muslim women in the makers during the country. Shiite clerics, angry over his secular beliefs, purges and mass arrests of Fajr Film Festival opponents, held grudges that would foment the coming revolution. Controversies and planned to hold a news conference over the chador and hijab persist in Iran today. on Wednesday, Iranian media reported. Iran’s strong trade ties with Germany, Reza Shah’s push for neutrality amid French actor Jean-Pierre Léaud and Ital- the coming of World War II and Western fears over its oil supplies falling to the ian producer Giovanni Spagnoletti also Nazis ultimately sparked a Russian-British invasion of the country in 1941. Reza attended the festival. Shah abdicated in favor of his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, at the insistence of The semi-official Tasnim news agen- the occupying British forces. Reza Shah ended up in South Africa, dying there in cy said Stone briefly visited the historical 1944. His body was taken to Cairo, mummified and held for years before return- city of Isfahan the previous day. This is ing to Iran. A grand mausoleum near Tehran held his body for years, which then- the Hollywood director’s first visit to Iran. President Richard Nixon visited in 1972. After 1979, however, Islamists viewed the In 2007, Iran’s then-President Mah- mausoleum as an affront. Iranian cleric Ayatollah Sadegh Khalkhali, who ordered moud Ahmadinejad rejected a proposal by the executions of hundreds after the revolution, led a mob of supporters who used Stone to make a film about him. Ahma- sledgehammers, jack hammers and other tools to demolish the mausoleum. Khalkhali dinejad said at the time that Stone is part of later would write in his memoirs that he believed the shah’s family took Reza Shah’s the “Great Satan” cultural establishment, body when they fled the country. The shah’s family, however, maintained the body a reference to the United States. In 2012, remained in Iran. His son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was buried in Cairo after dying Stone’s son Sean Stone visited Iran and of cancer in 1980.n converted to Shiite Islam.
10 No. 90 N E W S DOWNTISM CAFE Launched on Tehran as Iran’s First Business Staffed by People Living With Disabilities Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran
historically marginalized disabilities community. According to state figures, one out of every 150 babies were born with Autism in Iran in 2017. According to the State Welfare Organization’s deputy director for rehabilitation, six thousand autistic children were Iran saw the opening of Downtism Cafe, the country’s identified that year but only 3,000 are receiving services from first cafe staffed by people living with disabilities including the organization. down syndrome and autism, on May 1, 2018. Iran lacks comprehensive data on its disabilities com- “Certainly these kinds of positive steps will make a dif- munity. Disability rights activists also argue that the data ference in changing how society views people with disabili- that is available underestimates the number of people living ties, especially those who think negatively of them and label with disabilities in Iran and can be inaccurate regarding the them as useless and feeble, which isolates them from society specific disabilities people are living with. and forces them to stay home, “ Sepideh Jadiri, the mother of an autistic person, told the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI). PASSING OF DR. REZA OBOODI According to the deputy head of the State Welfare Or- ganization in Tehran Province, the is cafe employs 10 people It is sad to report the passing of Dr. living with disabilities who want to be recognized as valuable Reza Oboodi, a devoted husband, members of society. Downtism Cafe is managed by the staff father and friend. He was a Se- nior Technical Advisor for Honey- members’ parents. well. As a scientist he developed a “Ten individuals who have reached employment age and number of designs and ideas which were trained by a coach who only gave them guidance have have successfully been patented. come here today and are running the establishment by them- He will always be remembered for selves and they want to create a new culture,” Mohammad these achievements by his peers, Reza Asadi told the Asr Iran news site on May 1. but for those of us who knew him Downtism Cafe is located on the second floor of the Pas- as a friend, his passing has left a deep hole in our hearts. Reza’s love and passion for Persian music and poetry was sage Ayeneh building on Vanak St. in northern Tehran. It was contagious and his pride for his Iranian culture admirable. launched with the support of the State Welfare Organization, Our sympathies go out to his family and friends. the main governmental body providing services to people living with disabilities in Iran, and the families of the cafe’s IN THE MEMORY OF DR. REZA HEDAYTI employees. “These actions will make people see these individuals’ Dr. Hedayati’s love for medicine management and communication skills and break stereotypi- was undeniable. He was a promi- cal attitudes,” Jadiri told CHRI. nent radiologist who worked tire- lessly for his patients. He was more “The truth is that these individuals communicate and than a physician to those who loved connect with others in a different way,” she added. “That’s him, a husband, father, grandfather, not a weakness, it’s a difference. Although, in order to have dear friend and supporter of Persian a more comfortable life among the majority in society, inevi- culture. As president of the Iranian- tably they have to get special training to learn conventional American Society of New York he communication skills.” devoted endless hours in making this Disability rights activists told CHRI that they hope the society one of the most successful Iranian-American organizations in the promotion of the culture cafe and similar initiatives will help Iranian people recognize and traditions of Iran and their passing to future generations. and appreciate the potential of people living with Down Syn- Our sympathies go out to his family and friends. drome and Autism and improve employment rates for Iran’s
Summer 2018 11 C O M M E N T A R Y John Limbert’s Comment on TRUMP’S NOROOZ MESSAGE TO IRANIANS
Reading President Trump’s Iranian New Year’s Bolton, Iranians are unlikely to take much encouragement from (Norooz) statement reminded me of what our granddaughter this message. It is no more believable than was President Carter’s used to say when her diaper was full: “Yuck.” 1979 assurance that the United States had admitted the deposed It is a strange message. The reader is left asking, “What’s Shah of Iran with no political agenda and “only for medical and the purpose?” Similar messages by Trump’s predecessors usually humanitarian reasons.” No sane Iranian believed that one either. said to Iranians, “We love you but we hate your government” The message raises other questions. What if the dog were or “We love you and we need to engage with your (difficult) to catch the truck? If Iranians take to the streets and demand government.” change, what will this administration do to support them? Not This message says neither. Instead it offers insincere phrases much, I suspect, despite Trump’s strident denunciation of his about “a proud nation [that] has overcome great challenges by the predecessor’s decisions in 2009 during the Green Movement strength of its culture and the resilience of its people.” uprisings. If there is a change of government in Iran will things The message lacks authenticity (or esaalat, as the Iranians get any better? Or will there be a bloodbath and the rule of the say). President Trump did not bother to read it publicly on radio neo-Jonestown cultists of the Mojahedin-e Khalq who seem to or television. And it suggests the hand of an Iranian-American not have attracted so much American support—including that of the only embittered at the Islamic Republic, but nursing old grudges President Trump’s new national security advisor? against former president Obama, who measured his language and Even a democratic and accountable government in Iran sought to use diplomacy to resolve Iranian-American differences. may not make our president happy. An Iranian government that The Norooz statement lacks any connection to its purported pursues its national interests and seeks productive relations with author. Does anyone believe President Trump knows anything the rest of the world may not always be ready to do America’s about Darius the Great? Does anyone believe he knows or cares bidding. One suspects—from its rhetoric—that this administra- about Iran’s rich culture? tion would prefer a subservient to an independent Iran. The message’s tone is berating and hectoring. It blames In the first half of the twentieth century, American govern- Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for terrorism, pov- ments were often on the side of those Iranians seeking dignity and erty, youth unemployment, censorship, corruption, repression, independence. Matters changed after 1953 when the U.S. helped and even for drought and dust storms. If the message has any stage the overthrow of a nationalist government and shifted from purpose, it is to make the author (whoever it is) feel good that friend to perceived puppet-master. he has vented his grievances. It demonstrates the truth of what Against the U.S., Iran now carries a long list of grievances, former president Obama said at Oslo in 2009 when he noted the some real and some imagined. That bitter legacy is hard to live futility of “the satisfying purity of indignation.” down. The oozing cant of this year’s Norooz message—whoever The Revolutionary Guard Corps has an unsavory record its real author—will do nothing to change that legacy. and has much to answer for. On the other hand, it played a major John Limbert is a retired Foreign Service Officer. A former role in defending Iran against Iraqi invaders, and many Iranian deputy assistant secretary of state for Iranian affairs, he also families have relatives who fought and died with the guards. If served at the US Embassy in Tehran where was held hostage the point is to show support for the “Iranian people” what purpose for 14 months. does such a list of accusations and insults serve? The statements of support for the Iranian people “fighting to reclaim their rights [and longing] for a springtime of hope” do not ring true. If that were the case, why has the administra- tion obstinately and repeatedly sought to impose a travel ban against all Iranians? It is not a sign of respect and solidarity to exclude Iranian students, family members, and scholars on the basis of their nationality. The statement goes on to say that the “United States stands SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: with the Iranian people in their aspirations to connect to the wider world and have a responsible and accountable government that truly serves their nation’s interest.” Fair enough, in isolation. But Contact our Iranians are not stupid. They recognize dishonesty when they hear it. It is simply not believable that the same American president California based Advertising Agent who, against all good advice, congratulated the Russian leader on his victory in a rigged election and who has a clear affection for authoritarians would support Iranians seeking a government for your ads. that treats them decently. Given other actions and statements by its reputed author, 973 471 4283 including his recent appointments of Mike Pompeo and John
12 No. 90 C O M M E N T A R Y Iran or Persia Remembering Dear Mr. Beck, the Righteous Iranians In your commentary on Iran on “The Glenn Beck Program” on April 12, you unfortunately confused fact Jacqueline Saper with fiction. You combined legitimate criticism of the On Thursday, April 11, 2018 millions of people sol- Mullah’s regime in Iran with historically inaccurate and emnly observed Yom Ha Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance sometimes fantastical assertions about the origins of the Day). Yet, as this Yom Ha Shoah, or Day of the Inferno in name of Iran and the supposed background to the change Hebrew, is remembered, the world is marred by the fact that of the name of the country from ‘Persia’ to Iran under what many people still deny the existence of this most terrible you imagine to be Nazi influence. of tragedies. For many Americans, the image of this denier It was Herr Goebbels’ propaganda machine in the late takes the form of a white supremacist. Whether he wears 1930s which invented a spurious association between the a white robe or the brown uniform and slick haircut of a Neo-Nazi, this person will likely stand out in a crowd. On so-called ‘chosen people’ (the Herrenvolk) in Germany, this Yom Ha Shoah, however, it is important to acknowledge and the ancient Aryans, which of course, is a travesty of that Holocaust denial is not just a cause embraced by fringe both genetics and historical fact. ideologues. Holocaust deniers exist in all shapes and sizes Thus, to suggest that it was Hitler and Nazi Germany throughout the world. Most egregiously, certain foreign who proposed to Reza Shah Pahlavi that the name of his governments affirmatively support this denial. country be changed from ‘Persia’ to Iran, is a ludicrous For me, international holocaust denial is personal, since piece of propaganda truly worthy of Herr Goebbels. one of the most widely reported deniers is my homeland: To Iranians, their country has been called Iran for Iran. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former president of Iran, over 2,500 years. Persia was the name given to Iran by has called the Holocaust a “lie and a mythical claim.” Ayatol- the Greeks and is derived from the region of Fars (Pars) lah Khamenei has said that, “No one in European countries which was the seat of the Achaemenian Empire in 500 B. dares to speak about Holocaust….[It] is not clear whether the C. “Persia” was the name used by the European powers core of this matter is a reality or not. Even if it is a reality, it for Iran. The Iranian government in 1935 simply asked the is not clear how it happened.” An Iranian newspaper holds European powers to refer to the country by its correct name. an annual Holocaust (Denial) Cartoon contest. The cartoon- During the reign of the first Pahlavi monarch, co- ist who best mocks the Nazi genocide is awarded $50,000. Such rhetoric has presented a negative image of Iran inciding with the rise of the Third Reich, the social and and Iranians around the world. But before the founding of economic life of Iran’s Jewish communities vastly im- the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, there was another Iran. proved. In her article on the Jewish community in Iran This Iran not only acknowledged the holocaust, but even under Reza Shah, written for Columbia University’s En- assisted Jews during World War II. cyclopedia Iranica, the Israeli doctoral candidate at Ben To many Iranian Jews like my father, Abdolhossein Gurion University, Orly Rahimian, notes that, “The Reza Sardari was, and remains, a righteous hero from that era. Shah era witnessed the repeal of all of the discriminatory Sardari was the (Muslim) diplomat in charge of the Iranian laws applying to Jews. Jews were accorded the right to consul in Paris in 1942, just as the Holocaust was climaxing serve in the military and to enroll in state schools in the in France. Sardari, also known as “The Iranian Schindler,” late 1920s. Jews started to leave the Jewish quarter and protected the sizable Iranian Jewish community of Paris by reside wherever they wished. They had the right to hold issuing them new passports that did not state the passport government jobs and keep shops in the bazaars.” holder’s religion, thus saving their lives. I also draw your attention to the article “There is No Furthermore, Iran welcomed hundreds of Polish Jewish Denying Him” by Karmel Melamed/ December 14, 2006 children during a time when Nazi Germany was carrying out published in the Jerusalem Post, which notes: its systematic murder of the Jewish people in Europe. These children, who came to be known as the “Tehran Children,” “In April 2004, the Wiesenthal Center posthumously remained in Iran until they found a safe passage to travel to honored Abdol Hossein Sardari, the Iranian ambassador Mandatory Palestine. to German-controlled France during World War II, who Therefore, this Yom Ha Shoah, let us remind ourselves forestalled the deportation of 200 Iranian Jews living in that the views of the government of Iran can be somewhat Paris. In addition, he was also honored for saving several distinct from the views of the people of Iran. Let us condemn hundred non-Iranian Jews in Paris in 1942 by giving them the government of Iran for questioning the existence of an Iranian passports.” event so unthinkable that a new word, genocide, had to be I share your disdain for the present regime in Iran but created to describe it. But let us also take time to remember making historically false statements to push a political the righteousness of the individual Iranians who did their agenda is poor journalism and undermines all else that part to mitigate this and let us hope that their example can you say on the subject of Iran.n be repeated by individuals in other nations facing genocidal Kambiz Atabai killings throughout the world.n
Summer 2018 13 C O M M E N T A R Y their masters, to accomplish political and From Balfour Declaration economic objectives. The Iran case was one of these schemes in early 1950s an Iranian patriot took the nationalization of to Occupation Iranian main mineral assets to the Iranian Parliament (the only country with Parlia- M. Reza Vaghefi, Ph.D mentarian democracy at the time) which nationalized it and handed over the imple- ll I enjoyed reading the article written by Mr. Hooshang Guilak in Persian mentation of the law to the real Patriot, Dr. Heritage Issue 88. There is a lot of truth in that well written piece. Here I would Mohammad Mossadegh, who as perfect Parliamentarian had managed to establish like to provide a historical perspective and some data that may complement the rule of Law, very rare in that part of the Mr. Guilak’s remarkable work. world. He was voted to become the Prime Minister by the Parliaments. Approval and During 18th and 19th centuries there dominating the land. The preparation for appointment by the Shah was a format in were two empires dominated a good what was ultimately to be achieved in- the Parliamentary rule of Iran. part of the world. One was the British cluded terrorist acts against then British From the outset, the British who had Empire on which “The Sun never sets”, soldiers included attacks on King David exploited the oil sector did not like it and and the other was Ottoman empire which Hotel where many British citizens lived. did everything in their mower to scuttle it stretched from North Africa to Southern It should be of interest to note that some but soon realized that they have to have Europe including part of Spain, namely of Jewish people who took up arms later the support of the new player in the inter- Barcelona and southern part of Austria. became leaders of the right-wing party national area, that if the United States, to In the latter empire, there was constant Likud. The ones that come to mind are achieve their objectives. To make the story moving of ethnic communities as the Otto- late Menachim Begin and late Shamir both really short, the created a picture purely man Turks believed that by mixing Turks becoming Prime Ministers of the state of based on lies and deceits to convince the with European people will allow them to Israel at certain time. Americans that without their help Iran control the empire more effectively. But So, when in l948 United Nations may all into communist hands. They used their scheme was under fire in the late 19th voted to create the State of Israel in Pal- the old tools and American cash at the century by the rulers of the other empire estine, the necessary, but limited fighting disposal to organize prostitute and thugs namely British who constantly referred to men were ready to fight any resistance to launch street demonstrations to which them as “Sick Man of Europe”. The advent and the Palestinian who resisted the new treacherous units of the army joined and of First World War was going to change state of Israel, although it was voted by brought down the legitimate regime of this relationship as the major participants the United Nations, either died in fighting Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh, in august of of WW1, namely France and Britain de- the rag tag army of Jewish people or left. 1953, a dark page in the short history of cided to divide the spoils. Britain took About 100,000 went into Lebanon which American intelligence agency. The US control of Egypt, Sudan and Palestine with had no one to prevent the incoming Pales- government admitted the mistake but semi control of Arabian desert now name tinian. General Rabbin who was the Chief damage to a young democracy had been called Saudi Arabia. of Staff of the Israeli Army who defeated done. The same events had bloody conse- the Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian armies quences 25 years later and the results of BALFOUR DECLARATION admitted to the Economist, that in order to which are not foreseeable. During the War apparently some Brit- keep a corridor between Jerusalem and Tel Going back to Israel soon after cre- ish scientists of Jewish faith had made Aviv had to remain open and in the process ation of this country by the United Na- scientific contributions to the success of many people lost life and property. Most tions, skirmishes with Palestinians who British army facing Germany and Otto- of them the thousands that had to leave had lost their property or members of fam- man Turks in Europe. As the War was settled in two camps: Sabra and Shatila ily began. In early 1950’s there was a ma- ending these scientists asked the British in the outskirt of Beirut the capital city jor upheaval in Egypt, the most populated Government, in view their contributions of Lebanon. country among Arabs. A firebrand military to successes of the British Army, if there officer by the name of Col. Jamal Abdul could be a home for the Jews in Palestine. EVENTS IN THE 1950’S Nasser, under the Patronage of General So in 1917 the British Secretary of Foreign WITH WORLD-WIDE Najib, rose to power. The first thing he Affairs Mr. Balfour, announced a British CONSEQUENCES did was to send of King Farough to exile. support for a Jewish national home in Pal- In the 1950’s, the United States, fresh He had rule the country corruptively and estine. This announcement was supported from victories in the WW 11, in Europe the people seemed prepared to let him go. by President Wilson of United States. And and the Far East, entered the world of In Egypt, the most important phe- that was the beginning of what is now Middle East unwittingly. Years of colo- nomenon was the Suez Canal that had called Israel. nialism and planting of surrogates An- been owned and managed by French and There always been Jews, Christians glophiles and Francophiles had allowed the British since the colonial days. Prob- and Moslems living in Palestine but the countries like England and France to know ably having been inspired by Dr. Mossa- majority had been Arab Moslem. Once the systems and the level of corruptions degh Abdul Nasser nationalized the Canal the Declaration was made the minority and how to utilize them. America had to to astonishment of the British and French of Jews began to prepare the ground for depend on those channels, which benefited authorities.
14 No. 90 C O M M E N T A R Y The strategical importance of the ca- nal to international trade had, been a great in addition to being a source of money for the owners. There were some problems managing it since the Greek pilots refused to navigate it under the Egyptians but this was resolved, however the Britain and France were not satisfied and soon they launched a joint military operation against Egypt. They also encouraged the new state of Israel to launch a military operation and occupy the Sinai Peninsula which was right at its Southern border. Soon the Soviet Union (at the time) announced that they should stop their mili- tary adventure and President Eisenhower informed the French and the British to stop and evacuate the area, and the parties had to obey the two reining Super Powers. Palestinians Refugees But this episode forced the British (under Antony Eden) to reevaluate their military for Egypt to attack Israel. Then Egyp- Sadat thought of regaining the Egyptian presence in the area as well as Southern tian Army crossed Suez Canal in early reputation and in October of 1973, during shores of the Persian Gulf the security of June 1967 heading North to attack Israel. the Jewish religious holiday, launched a which British had maintained and later, Meanwhile Israelis were not unaware of surprise attack on Bar Lev line of defenses when the British left, Iran assumed secur- the real intentions of the Egyptian army by crossing the Suez Canal and moving ing the entire area. moving into Sinai. The Israelis sent their toward Israel. Gold Meier was the primer The Israelis that had been encouraged air Force, undetected by Egyptian radar, and she was devastated. At the same time by British and French to participate in and damaged the Egyptian airfield from Saudi Arabia, the main supplier of oil to the Suez Canal operation had to evacuate which Egyptian air force could fly. This the United States cut off oil to US and Sinai as demand by the American admin- act left the Egyptian army in the Sinai other countries that had been supporting istration. This was the first venture outside Peninsula unprotected, and ipso facto de- Israel. Iran under the Shah, was the only the boundaries determined by the United stroyed. Same happened to Syrian and country that saved Israel from serious fuel Nations. But the skirmishes between Pal- Jordanian forces that had attacked Israel shortage by supplying them oil at 10% estinian and Israelis continued. from North and East. So the 6 day war be- discount. With supply limited and chaos Egypt under Nasser became the came part of the history in the Middle East. prevailing in international oil market, the source of agitations for Israel. During the Another event that angered mostly price of a gallon of oil jumped from $3 to 50’s, 60’s, and even 70’s. Palestine had the Arabs during the 60s was a de jour $12 and more. With the help from United become a pawn among some Arab govern- recognition of Israel by Iran. Iran was States and United Nations, the war was ments to mobilize their respective people home of thousands of Jews who histori- stopped but Israel continued the occupa- the ultimate goals of whom was destruc- cally been invited to travel to Iran, and tion of areas that it had captured as a prize tion of Israel and throwing of the Jews reside there, by Cyrus the Great after he of 6 Day War. into Mediterranean see. Not a workable entered Jerusalem and freed the them from In 1976 Democrats won the gen- strategy but good enough to arouse the Roman captivity centuries ago There were eral election in the United States and ill-informed and highly emotional Arabs thousands of Jews in Iran in productive oc- Jimmy Carter became president. During in their respective environment. cupations at all level of society especially his Presidency, three major events took in 1960s. and 70s. So, when Shah gave place. He was instrumental in undermin- EVENTS IN 1960’s de jour recognition to Israel, it came as ing the Shah by encouraging imposition As Egyptians became more and more surprise to Arabs who did not appreciate of Human Rights in Iran which ultimately involved with using the Palestinian in their Shah’s leadership in the Middle East. led to downfall of Shah’s regime and led propaganda to arouse the Arabs by us- to Islamic Revolution of February 1979. ing everything at their disposal such as EVENTS IN 1970’s He brought Egypt and Israel together at changing the name of their national ra- In 1970, the firebrand Egyptian lead- Camp David where they signed a peace dio to Voice of Arab (Sowt al Arab), they er had a heart attack and died. Anwar Sa- treaty and recognition of Israel by Egypt also flirted with Russia and received a lot dat as Vice President, swiftly took charge which led to other Arab nations’ distancing of ammunitions and Russian advisors to and assumed the presidency. Nothing themselves from Egypt isolating it for a train the Egyptian army for a perceived remained from the United Arab Repub- number of years. battle with Israel although they never men- lic between Egypt and Syria, which soon And lastly, he handed over the op- tioned their ulterior motive. Finally, they Syrian opted out, and Part of Jerusalem eration and ownership of Panama Canal demanded that United Nations remove its and Golan Heights were occupied by Is- to Panamanians. Also by encouraging peace keeping forces from Sinai which rael. But the damage to Arab reputation Human Rights and condemnations of au- was legitimate but it also paved the way could not be easily overcome. So, this time thoritarian rule President Carter made it
Summer 2018 15 C O M M E N T A R Y possible for Sandinistas to overthrow the international force, even including the a few days beginning with “Shock and regime of Somoza and establish a social- Syrian Army, to evict Iraqi forces from Awe” massive bombardment of Baghdad ist one in its government which kept US Kuwait. And they did. This was called began , and Saddam regime collapsed. preoccupied for years. Persian Gulf war with a nickname of Des- He was found hidden in a foxhole and ert Storm. Fearing the worst Saddam sent brought to justice. EVENTS OF 1980’s AND 90’s his emissaries everywhere that he could. Just before this US had managed to In the 80s. All the actors, America, His Foreign Minister Mr. Taregh had a install Hamid Karzai in Kabul, capital city Iran and Israel became much more in- conference in Geneva probably to thwart of Afghanistan, but he was opposed by volved in global affairs probably more the coming attack. In that conference, he many Afghanis who thought Zaher Shah than they wanted. At the end of 1970s the was asked in the event of American forces could help stabilize the country. During Soviet Union of the time invaded Afghani- attack, would he send missile to destroy the process of installing Hamid Karzai stan to ensure the survival of a communist Israel His answer was positive hoping to the United State received precious nego- regime there and to maintain their policy give the American a pose in their plan. It tiating skills from Iran through her able of NO EXIT once you are in the Soviet did not work and as the plan for invasion emissary, who at present is foreign min- camp. The occupation took about 9 years went forward, Saddam launched a couple ister of Iran Dr. Mohammad Javad Zeriff. and finally the United States and Paki- of Scud missiles toward Israel with some However, in his State of Union, Presi- stan with millions of Dollars from Saudi limited success. Israelis demanded to re- dent Bush mentioned Iran as an Axis of Arabia created a secret army and called it spond in-kind but they were warned that Evil together with Iraq and North Korea, Taliban. These were young mostly Paki- United States did not want this to be an- a strange reward for materializing what stani students, who with training of most other Arab-Israelis war and they managed the United States wanted in Afghanistan. dogmatic features of Islamic religion, to prevent Israel to stay calm. In a few With Karzai in office the United States received intensive military training pro- days, this multi-national force routed the began pouring billions of dollars which vided by CIA and sent to fight the Soviets Iraqis from Kuwait and demanded Iraqis after so many years have failed to yield in Afghanistan. The strategy provided a to surrender which did in the middle of any tangible results but have made many very successful proxy war that with help desert. But the memory of those missiles war lords rich. President George W. Bush from Northern Alliance of Afghanistan, attacking Israel remained active in the had declared it “America’s purpose to life most of them Hazzaris, managed to force mind of quiet a few which surfaced after up the people of Afghanistan” (N.Y.T.’s the Soviet departure from that land. This eight years of Clinton administration at Book Review 2-18-2018, p.9. Instead the adventure contributed immensely to the which time his successor George W. Bush people of Afghanistan have seen nothing downfall of Communist regime in Russia. revived the question of Saddam Hossein’s but bloodshed and destruction what used In Iran a new front opened courtesy arsenal including weapons of mass de- to be there. But the United States seems to of the United States where the late Nation- struction which was used to organize a have learned very little when Vice Presi- al Security Advisor to President Carter, massive attack on Iraq. The issue of Sad- dent Mie Pence announces to the troops announced officially that the United States dam’s threat goes back toward the end that “we are here to stay until freedom and Iraq have mutual interest in the Per- of Clinton’s administration at which time wins”. A solid statement but unachievable sian Gulf. This was a timely signal to a a letter signed by people like Rumsfeld, Just look at the history of Afghanistan and blood thirsty Saddam Hossein in Iraq to Cheney, Wolfowitz and 5 more suggesting not too distant in the past. Jahanshah who invade the Islamic regime in Iran. The that the United States should attack Iraq was installed by the British was killed by Iranian regime had just succeeded to over- and remove Saddam. Clinton did not buy people 15 days later. This of course hap- throw the Shah and purge many top offi- into it but the issue never died. Then came pened in early 19 century. cers from the Iranian arm forces specially George W. Bush who became president by With occupation of Iraq and disman- Army and the Air Force and ill prepared to order of the Supreme Court which stopped tling Iraqi army, the seeds of ISIS were defend the country in the face of massive recounting the vote in Florida whereas Al laid down with consequences beyond any Iraqi forces. It is noteworthy to mention Gore had the majority of the votes. one’s imagination and no one can deter- here that Saddam had just signed a border Soon after inauguration of George W. mine the end in a foreseeable future simply agreement with Shah of Iran (1974) but Bush, Ben Laden, the leader of Al Qaede because the deadly movement seems to he was not bound by it and given the op- group sent its terrorist to destroy the twin have metastasized. portunity and the chaos in Iran he thought towers of business on 9/11 in New York In late 2000s people in the United it opportune to invade the country. It took city to which Bush promised to respond States were tired of war and destruction both sides to cease fire after 8 devastating furiously as he did. Soon the US armed and voted Barak Obama as president. Be- war and more than two million people, forces attacked Afghanistan to uproot and fore leaving Office, president Bush had billions of dollars and vast devastation of destroy Ben Laden’s forces and mean- received dire warning from his Treasury assets on both sides. while dealt heavy blows to that land which Secretary about the potential collapse End of the conflict brought some seems to have no end in sight. of the American economy if the federal level of confidence for Saddam. In meet- President Bush cabinet was loaded government and Federal Reserve were ing with some US officials in Baghdad by pro-war people who mostly occupied not taking serious actions to preempt that Saddam heard that United States would the Defense Department and began to collapse. So was the beginning of what not interfere in inter-Arab affairs. He took implement what they had recommended Barak Obama had inherited from George this a message as a signal that he could to Clinton. Even the United Nation Secu- W. Bush who launched a disastrous war occupy Kuwait and he did. During the rity Council, with a French veto, could on a flaw information that Saddam had G.H.W. Bush United States organized an not prevent Bush from attacking Iraq. In amassed weapons of mass destruction
16 No. 90 C O M M E N T A R Y which numerous inspectors, after his col- they would be majority able to establish lapse, could find no trace of. a Palestinian State in place of Hashemite. Iranian Philosopher Obama received the 2009 Noble This would …. would eliminate the Pal- Shayegan 83 Has Died Peace Prize but was almost raise the level estinian demand for a state the West Bank, of US troops in Afghanistan by 30,000. which would thus become part of Israel”, “I am not a philosopher, But this was not the only issue that he had NYT Magazine 1.28.2018 p.37. I am a free thinker” to deal with in that area. The question of In Fall of 1962, this author was a “Tolerance is accepting the other Iran’s uranium enrichment was a recur- member of the American University of and taming your ego” rent topic. Previous administrations had Beirut Alumni Association. The chairman participated in economic sanctions again of the Alumni Association, Emil Bustan, Iran which hurt its economy but Iranian a very successful Lebanese and multi- did not bulge and continued defying the millionaire mentioned that” A hungry pressures. One significant instigator was person thinks that he can eat everything Israel which continued to inform the West on the table>” If Israel could give some the Iran would in short period of time be land to Palestinian and keep them busy able to build an atomic bomb with the most likely there could also be peace be- intention of destroying Israel. This line tween them and deprive Arab leaders to of argument was not supported by the use Palestine and attack Israel. But the United Nations agency in-charge of non- Israelis were eager to eliminate Palestin- proliferations and the argument looked ian leaders and atrocities were committed On March 22, 2018 Dariush hollow in many quarters. under their watchful eyes and for which Shayegan passed away. He left Iran The president of the United States they were blamed by the world. after the Islamic Revolution and re- had access to many sources of intelligence In the process of attacks and bom- cently returned. It was reported that and therefore was not phased by such ag- bardment of west Beirut, Sharon also he suffered from a stroke in Janu- gressive propaganda as Israel had decided provided an opportunity for Phalangist to pursue. However, Obama was aware militia to enter Sabra and Shatila refugees’ ary. Shayegan was known for his of the campaign the Israel surrogate were camps where they slaughtered hundreds challenge against the domination building again Iran in media and had de- of defenseless refugees which created an of Western position on its philo- cided to resolve the issue diplomatically, international outcry an ultimately ended sophical position. He was given the as has been his nature that if such issues of Sharon’s position as Israel Defense Min- Global Dialogue Prize in 2009 in international significance can be resolved ister, but it left a dark page in the history a Denmark. through diplomatic negotiations, peace- of a people who has suffered so much for As to his thoughts on the post ful resolutions should be given a chance, centuries. They had lost empathy. very much unlike George W. Bush who The question is for a nation that de- Islamic Revolution status in Iran he discarded the appeal by the French for- fines Judaism, with oldest history and stated, “I think that Persian society, eign Minister at the U.N. Security Coun- people who have contributed so much to on the whole, is in a post-Islamic cil in 2003 “to give peace a chance”. So, man’s civilization in arts, sciences and hu- situation already. “The young gen- through intensive negotiations by highly manities. Is there a chance to live in peace eration has accepted the reality of competence diplomats Obama was able with its neighbors? The truth is that there plural identities. When I talk to to sign the Nuclear agreement with Iran have been incompetent leaders on the part them, they say, ‘We are Western in 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. Glob- of Arabs who have stuck to wishful think- ally this agreement was one of Obama’s ing dreams and ignoring the reality on and we are Persian.” signature achievements while in Office. the ground (Exchange of land for peace, Shayegan was born in 1935 Comparative achievement by other US i.e. Golan Heights for permanent peace to a Georgian mother and Iranian leaders are rare. comes to mind). merchant father. In the 1960s he Different Map for the Middle East. What did Hafez Assad achieve by received his doctorate from the From a design to change the map ignoring the American administration at Sorbonne University in Paris. He of Middle East (in 1983) to annexation the time (Dennis Ross) which tried very returned to Paris after 1979 writing of what is left of Palestinian territory (in hard to make such arrangement? Syria 2018), Israel has been acting as if noth- is shattered and Israel if more powerful books in French and honored with ing else should matter. And in doing this than ever before. That reminds me of a the ADELF award, presented by lots of atrocities have been committed. statement by a Professor at the American the Association of French Authors For instance, in June 1983, Israel, under University of Beirut in 1963. He said Arab in 2004 for his French novel “Land the command of Ariel Sharon, mobi- leaders do not understand that Israel de- of Mirage.” lized 76000 soldiers and 800 tanks plus rives its strength from Washington. It was He is survived by his son Ra- hundreds of armored personnel carriers true then and it is even more so now. The him Shayegan, who was educated and invaded Lebanon. A sovereign state institutional support comes in the form without much defense in pursuit of Yasser of non-profit organizations and under at Harvard and is now a professor at Arafat, the Palestinian leader. But Sharon attractive names. The most visible and the University of Californian, Los ulterior motive was to “conquer Lebanon influential organization is the American Angeles and expel the Palestinian to Jordan where Enterprise Institute.n
Summer 2018 17 C O M M E N T A R Y Putting, as he recalled, “all my diplomas in a bag,” he offered his assistance. “God has sent you through the window to us,” the chairman of the National Planning Organization exclaimed. In 1973, Etemad helped establish Bu Ali Sina University in Hamadan. Rejecting Iran’s constant mimicry of Western models, Etemad integrated Persian culture and intellectual methods into his university. The second obstacle was tougher – getting security clear- ance from the Shah’s dreaded secret police, the Savak. Etemad had, at two critical times, been involved with the Tudeh Party of Iranian Communists. In his defense, he had quit twice, frustrated by the Party’s rigidity. Still, it showed what Etemad thought of the Shah’s modernist yet repressive regime. The Shah, however, was pragmatic. His advisers knew of no Iranian who had mastered the secrets of atomic fission as Dr. Akbar Etemad brilliantly as the now-reformed Etemad. “The past is not im- portant,” the Shahpronounced. “He wants to serve his country now and we must use him.” In heading Iran’s Atomic Energy BOMB Organization, Etemad would enjoy a sweeping mandate: “to go,” he recalled, “for all the technologies imaginable in the field of GIL TROY nuclear technology”. www.thedailybeast.com, May5, 2018 Thus began one of the stranger tutorials in the history of sci- ence. Etemad wasn’t sure if the Shah wanted to produce nuclear While the man Israeli intelligence recently outed as the “fa- energy – or weapons. The scientist began meeting weekly with ther” of Iran’s nuclear program –Mohsen Fakhrizadeh—belongs the sovereign, first explaining the science, then clarifying the to Iran’s repressive Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the motives. Charmed – and committed to a “dual-use” agenda while man traditionally deemed “the father” of Iranian nukes is more denying it publicly -- the Shah gave Etemad a vast budget, and ambiguous – an ex-Communist turned exiled Shah supporter, sweeping powers as Deputy Prime Minister. a peace activist who still supports Iran’s nuclear program, for One day Etemad asked: “Now that you know the difference nationalist reasons. Dr. Akbar Etemad has lived three different cliches. His first about-face from Communist to nuclear scientist and bureaucrat proved that some minds are too expansive to be contained by any one ideology. His prominence as a peace activist after sneaking out of the new Islamic Republic of Iran suggests he belonged to the Republic of Science, like J. Robert Oppenheimer, the dissident scientist who rejected the nuclear weapons he helped design. But Etemad’s lifelong stance as a proud Iranian suggests that even if the Mullahocracy falls – Iran’s nuclear ambitions will persist. Predicting foreign policy is a tricky business. In fact, this top- sy-turvy tale begins with a most unlikely co-star in launching Iran’s nuclear program: America’s president Dwight D. Eisenhower. In the 1950s, Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peaceprogram as- sumed nuclear energy could fuel growth globally, providing cheap, efficient energy. This vision appealed to Shah Mohamed Rez Pahlavi. Hoping to modernize Iran, he treated his country’s oil as a commodity to be sold to others not burned by Iranians. Iran’s nuclear program began slowly, fitfully, until 1974, when the spike in oil prices gave Iran the budget to go nuclear – and a local boy turned Swiss-trained-nuclear-scientist, Dr. Akebar Etemad, gave Iran the know-how. There were two major obstacles to hiring Etemad, who was born in Hamadan in 1930, and grew up as the son of one of the town’s grandees. The first was Etemad’s wife – she did not want to leave their cushy life in Switzerland, where he was chief of the nuclear shielding group of the Swiss Federal Institute for Reactor Research. Etemad had already solved that problem by divorcing her – and returning home in 1965, too much the Iranian nationalist to choose to become an expatriate scientist. Etemad quickly proved himself to the Shah after hearing at the University of Tehran that Iran’s nuclear reactor project was floundering.
18 No. 90 C O M M E N T A R Y between building a reactor and a bomb, enrichment, and so on, Gradually, the regime acquired its obsession with going what do you want me to do?” nuclear – especially after the Iran-Iraqi bloodbath in the 1980s. Wooing his idealistic scientist, the Shah explained, Etemad Today, without supporting the regime, Etemad endorses his coun- recalled, “that he’s strong enough in the region and he can defend try’s right to be an equal on the world stage with other peers like our interests in the region [and] he didn’t want nuclear weapons. India and Pakistan. “Iran has every right to pursue nuclear power,” But he told me that if this changes we would have to ‘go for he believes. “It is a matter of national sovereignty.” nuclear’. He had that in mind.” As time passed, Etemad also absorbed some of the regime’s Decades later, Iran’s theocrats would learn from the Shah’s agenda, defying the Shah’s friendship with Israel and the United mischievous ambiguity. The soft, overly-optimistic, post-2006 US States. But unlike the Mullahs’ ideological revulsion and geno- national intelligence estimates (NIEs) of the Islamic Republic’s cidal aspirations regarding Americans and Israelis, Etemad’s intentions would wrongly conclude “that in fall 2003 Tehran hostility echoes his career’s central melody line of his career – a halted its nuclear weapons program” and that it was merely quest for Iranian pride. “All my life my father was my model,” “keeping open the option to develop nuclear weapons.” he explains. “I try to do what I imagined he would do.” What the Iranians perceived as Russian and American con- Absolving the regime of any responsibility, he resents Amer- descension triggered Etemad’s nationalist pride – overriding his ican and Israeli defensive muscle-flexing against the regime’s opposition to nuclear proliferation. Etemad did not understand threats as offensive. “They [Iranians] need to be a power in the why other countries could wield this power – but not his. He Middle East,” he insists. “Israel has the bomb, Pakistan has the spent the late 1970s developing Iran’s nuclear capacity as fully bomb. India has the bomb. Russia has the bomb.” as he could – until political rivals accused him of embezzlement Etemad’s life highlights the multi-dimensional motivations in 1978. Iran’s theocratic revolution deposing the Shah in 1979 fueling Iran’s nuclear preoccupation. Understanding the ideology derailed Etemad’s program -- temporarily. Forced to go into of this anti-Ayatollah, pro-Iranian-nuclear nationalist suggests hiding by the new dictators, smuggled out of his country under that, especially after decades of tensions with the West and a an assumed name, Etemad watched the Mullahs shut down the pursuit of fissile missiles by Iran, the binary most insiders project nuclear program – reflecting the successor’s dislike for the pre- onto Iranians may not hold. Many Iranians who hate the Mullahs decessor’s pet projects. may still like their country’s nuclear program. Ensconced in France, Etemad taught, researched, consulted – Etemad’s life, therefore, also offers a dual warning behind and fought for peace. As co-chair of “Iranians for Peace”in 2009, those “if-only-then-ners” who are so sure that “if we only” hang he would preach “that no war can contribute to the establishment tough with the Iranians – or ‘if we only” play ball with them –then of liberty and democracy in our country” – opposing the Islamic peace will follow. History, like national identity, is just not that Republic and its Western enemies simultaneously. malleable – or predictable.
Summer 2018 19 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Battle Rattle tells the legend of a soldier REVIEWS who served America in every war since Vietnam. SOFREH, THE ART OF PERSIAN CELEBRATION Master Sergeant Changiz Lahidji Maryam Khosrowshahi served on Special Forces A teams longer (ACC Art Books Ltd., 2014) than anyone in history, completing over While Iran, with its ancient a hundred combat missions in Afghani- history, has many celebrations, stan. Changiz is a Special Forces legend. the two most beautiful are the cel- He also happens to be the first Muslim ebration of Norooz (Persian New Green Beret. Year) and AQD (the marriage cer- Changiz served this country starting emony). If you have never gotten with Operation Eagle Claw in 1980, when he entered Tehran on to see one of these it is suggested, a one-man mission to spy on Iranian soldiers guarding the US you do. If you cannot, then reading Sofreh is a must. The author Embassy where 52 US diplomats were being held hostage. Three in the pages demonstrates her artistic talents in pictures of all that years later, he was in Beirut, Lebanon when a suicide car bomb make these two celebrations examples of elegance. The reader is exploded in front of the US Embassy killing 83 people. Weeks educated in the customs, presentations, cooking of the celebra- after that, he was shot by Hezbollah terrorists on a night mission. tions which helps you to understand the detail in preparation. It is In Operation Iraqi Freedom, he led a convoy that was a book that should be part of the Persian home as it is a resource ambushed on its way to Fallujah. He was clearing houses in in passing these traditions to the next generations. Besides being Mogadishu, Somalia on October, 1993 when a US Black Hawk informative the book is a collection of artwork of table setting, helicopter was shot down 50 feet away from him in the inci- cooking, tapestry and flower arranging. dent that inspired Black Hawk Down. In 2002, he dressed as a farmer and snuck into Eastern Afghanistan and located Osama THYROID NODULES, Bin Laden for the CIA. DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT Along the way, Changiz earned numerous commendations, Hossein Gharib including the Special Forces Legion of Merit, Purple Hearts, In the general population, thyroid and many others. Last year he was nominated for induction nodules are found in 5% by palpation and in Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and cited as “the finest in 50% by ultrasonography (US). Initial noncommissioned officer to ever serve in Special Forces.” evaluation of nodules should include se- His story is an amazing tale of perseverance and courage, rum thyroid-stimulating hormone measure- of combat and one man’s love of his adopted country. ment, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, and US. Thyroid micronodules are being detected with increasing frequency and are currently evaluated by US-FNA. Routine measurement of serum calcitonin and thy- roglobulin and FNA rebiopsy are not recommended. Cytological- ly benign thyroid nodules should be followed rather than treated. Novel treatment options including iodine 131, percutaneous ethanol injection, and percutaneous laser thermal ablation have specific indications, advantages, and adverse effects. Utilizing the most current evidence, this practical book is the first publication of its kind to focus exclusively on the clinical and laboratory evaluation and therapy of thyroid nodules, includ- ing advances in evaluation and controversies in management. Opening with chapters presenting the epidemiology, history, laboratory and clinical evaluation of thyroid nodules, the use of radioactive isotope ultrasound and CT scanning in diagnosis is then described. The interpretation of thyroid cytology following fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies and the use of molecular markers are discussed in detail, as is the controversial use of thyroxine therapy. Following a presentation of the common and minimally invasive surgical approaches to thyroid nodules, chap- ters on multinodal goiters, incidentalomas and thyroid nodules in children round out the presentation.
FULL BATTLE RATTLE My Story as the Longest-Serving Special Forces A-Team Soldier in American History Changiz Lahidji & Ralph Pezzullo Over 100 combat missions, 24 years as a Green Beret―Full
20 No. 90 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E 90’s, or her own fantasy. Wherever or whatever the source is clear that Negar Ahkami: Fantasy Will Set You Free. It is sometimes difficult to put your finger on how to categorize Negar Ahkami’s artwork. While she states she has a long-time en- Fantasy Will Set You Free gagement with “Orientalism” and “stereotype subversion, I believe to categorize her at all is an injustice to her followers. Her audience should On view: april 14 – june 2, 2018 have no limitations, for there is something in each one of her pieces to Wyatt resident artists gallery be enjoyed by all. As stated in the beginning of this review, missing a Negar Ahkami’s exhibition is like missing a life-giving nutrient. A nutrient we need to remove us, even for a moment, from the uncertainty of this modern world. Her works help erase the negatives that surround us, allowing us to enjoy a joyful journey as you view a piece. REMEMBER that while her paintings in their entirety are movements of people, places, time and color, Negar is NEVER frivolous on what she places on the canvas or paper. Each stroke of her brush, while appearing whimsical, every hand face, leg and expression contains a lesson to be learned. BUT, rather than dictate to you on what should perceive and learned, she allows you to personalize your education. BRAVO BROVO BRAVO
ABOUT THE ARTIST Negar Ahkami was born in Baltimore and raised in the New York City area. She attended The Art Students League of New York in her formative years, received her BA from Columbia University in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, and her MFA from School of Visual Arts, NY. She has participated in Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Workspace Resi- dency and Governor’s Island Residency, and AAC’s Long-term Artist Residency since 2016. She has had three solo exhibitions in New York at Leila Heller Gallery and LMAK Projects. Her work has been included in group exhibits in museums and galleries, and is represented nation- ally and internationally in public, corporate and private art collections, If you miss the latest art exhibition by Negar Ahkami, titled Fantasy such as The New Britain Museum of American Art, Depaul University Art Will Set You Free, you are truly missing her famous use of COLOR and Museum, and the Farjam Collection (UAE). Her work has been reviewed MOVEMENT. COLOR, is an absolute staple of Ms. Ahkami’s art work. and written about in The New York Times, ArtNews and in various art It is her unique use of color combination and texture that gives motion books such as Talinn Grigor, Contemporary Iranian Art: From the Street and life to everything she paints. It is what lures you in, defying you not to the Studio (Reaktion, 2014), Different Sames, New Perspectives to miss the meticulous details of her work. One of the attributes of Ms. in Contemporary Iranian Art (Thames & Hudson 2009), and others.n Ahkami’s artistry is how she picks her subject matter and arranges it on her medium. If you have ever had the chance to meet her and she is intrigued by your persona, you may find your or that of a familiar character’s facial image, embedded in the intricacy of the piece. In this latest exhibition Negar takes color and movement to an entire different level; a dance floor painted in the same detail as her canvas. The experience of her color is then enhanced with changing colored lights underneath the work. This lighting breathes life into the image. With each change a new mood of the piece is reflected. Accompanying the lights is a Jeannie in the Bottle (which is an Alexa) living inside of a mystical and delightful hand painted lantern. The room is instantly awak- ened by music, song and laughter of the patrons. It is simply impossible to leave this exhibition in less than an exuberant state. One does have to ask, with her out of the ordinary themes and subject matter, just where does she get her inspiration. It is a simple answer, from her surroundings, acquaintances, Persian mosaics, color, poetry, customs, culture and her parents. Rarely will Ms. Ahkami speak of her art work without giving credit to her parents, who immigrated from Iran in the 1960’s. Her inspiration for Fantasy Will Set You Free comes from New York City street artwork of the 1980’s, German expressionism, urban life and dance, be it from real experiences of Norooz parties organized by her parents for the growing Iranian immigrant community in the 1980’s and
Summer 2018 21 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E What Iran’s Dazzling Art Tells Us About Civilization
A landmark exhibition celebrates the often-misunderstood art of Iran’s Qajar dynasty. It can tell us a lot about the country’s fas cinating culture, writes Joobin Bekhrad. By Joobin Bekhrad Although indelibly illustrious, the shahs in the 17th Century, their capital Is- the like), and corruption. millennia-long tale of Iran is, by and large, fahan was the envy of all who visited it. The story at the imperial courts, how- a sad one. Ravaged by invaders who threat- The site of a major cultural renaissance ever, was another matter. Expanding on ened to put paid to its rich and ancient cul- and crossroads, and an inspiration to artists new forms of aesthetics in painting that tural heritage, razed to the ground by blood- the world over, it is still referred to by its were introduced in the Afsharid, Zand, and thirsty warlords, perennially betrayed by its citizens as ‘half the world’. Things took a even late Safavid periods, which broke out own children, and far too often the victim downward turn, however, after the death of the framework of two-dimensional Per- of foreign ploys, the ‘land of the noble’ has of the greatest ‘Sophy’ (as Shakespeare sian miniatures, artists at the Qajar courts been to hell and back again, and then some. would have said) of them all, Shah Ab- created a visual vocabulary wholly their The 19th Century was one of the bas the Great. By the time the last Safavid own. Bedecked in towering crowns topped darkest periods in Iran’s recent history. monarch, Abbas III, ascended the throne, with aigrettes, glittering brassards, and Ruled by sybaritic autocrats who sold Iran the sun had set over Iran once again. vivacious robes, and sporting outlandish for a pittance to foreigners, and plagued by beards and moustaches, Qajar monarchs poverty, disease, ignorance, and an overall PARADISE LOST state of decrepitude and decay, Iran wasn’t If the Safavids had ushered in an era exactly the place to be. Yet, as grim as the of culture and exchange, and the Afsharids picture painted by travelers was, whether and Zands imperialism and peace, that of by Iranians or European diplomats, that the Qajars was one of humiliation and de- depicted by the artists of the Qajar courts pravity. The 18th and 19th Centuries saw was truly a sight to behold. Sumptuous, Iran stripped of all its former splendor. Vy- iconic, and wholly novel, their artworks ing for power in the strategically important nearly have the potential to redeem the Iran, as well as elsewhere in Central Asia, Qajars. the Russians and British continually en- Nearly a century after the fall of Iran’s croached on Iran’s sovereignty. Qajar dynasty (which lasted from 1785 to Children were lucky not to die in their 1925), and amidst the festivities of the two- cribs, sickness often meant death, venality week-long Iranian New Year (Norooz), a was what set wheels in motion, and ancient landmark exhibition at the Louvre Lens sites were used for target practice Museum in France, The Rose Empire, is With Iran being ruled by feckless and showcasing masterpieces of Qajar art. “In feeble monarchs, the job was all too easy for France, we’d never had an exhibition of foreign conspirators; in fact, in some cases, Qajar art before, so it will be the first one”, they didn’t even have to lift a finger. To says curator Gwenaëlle Fellinger. What’s finance his over-the-top lifestyle, Nassered- more, the exhibition’s interior and displays din Shah – perhaps the most well-known are the work of the fashion designer – and Qajar monarch – gave a single British baron Qajar art lover – Christian Lacroix. “Qajar control over all of Iran’s roads, telegraphs, art belongs to these temporal spaces that railways, mills, factories, and most of its have always fascinated me, between two natural resources; and another, a monopoly worlds, two eras”, he tells BBC Culture. on Iran’s tobacco industry. Foreign intrigue “The Qajar era is interesting … because aside, Iran was in a pitiful state. Travelers to of its East-meets-West/West-meets-East the country wrote about the lack of proper mixture of influences.” infrastructure, hideous living conditions, During the golden age of the Safavid extreme debauchery (drunken orgies and
22 No. 90 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Christian Lacroix. “[Its] opulent elegance pearl jewels [and] precious shimmering impressed [fashion photographer] Louise costumes.” And, while there is a room Dahl-Wolfe … She was inspired by Qajar dedicated to religious-inspired art, Fell- portraits for a famous shooting session – inger notes that one shouldn’t be quick to and one of my favorite fashion features call Qajar art ‘Islamic’ – as it and Iranian ever.” Yet, Qajar art has also been misun- art in general often are – and that the term derstood and overlooked by many. itself is fraught with issues. “[Islamic art] In France, Qajar art is looked down is a totally an Occidental definition, of on. People usually say it’s kind of course … The problem with it is that it kitsch – Gwenaëlle Fellinger includes everything, from Spain to India “In France, Qajar art … The only link is the religion … It’s a is looked down on,” says civilizational term that is quite easy.” Fellinger. “People usually Just as the exhibition doesn’t limit say it’s kind of kitsch. The itself to narrow interpretations of Iranian problem is that it’s totally art, it also goes beyond the Qajars to serve unknown, and the objects as a sort of introduction to the richness and seen in auctions are not exuberance of Iranian art and culture as a really of the best quality.” whole, as well as a catalyst for intercul- Indeed, a desire to acquaint tural dialogue. “In a period like the one French audiences with the we live in politically, economically, and richness of Qajar art is the diplomatically, culture from this part of like Fat’h Ali Shah, Mohammad Shah, driving force behind The Rose Empire, a the world is important to be shown in this and Nassereddin Shah appeared larger first for France, and the first major survey part of Europe for a better understanding,” than life, and as works of art in and of of Qajar art since 1998’s Royal Persian says Lacroix. “Even during the Pahlavi themselves. Paintings, held at the Brooklyn Museum era … Iran and France seemed unable to Courtly paintings and photographs in New York and the Brunei Gallery at understand each other, and the gap is [get- depicted a dazzling wonderland of color, London’s School of Oriental and African ting] deeper and deeper each day with passion, and every jewel under the sun Studies (SOAS). events in the Middle East …” Likewise, Ditching the dainty and delicate ide- Boasting over 400 works from mu- Fellinger, noting the negative way Iran als of beauty prevalent in previous eras, seums and private collections around the is often portrayed in Europe, says, “The painters at the Qajar courts opted for thick, world, some of which have never been point is also to prove that there is a really conjoined eyebrows, dark, almond-shaped seen before in Europe, the exhibition fo- interesting culture.” eyes with coquettish gazes, little rosebud cuses on the art of the courts, and goes Despite the decades of darkness the lips, and long, flowing curls. Shahs were beyond paintings to also include car- Qajar monarchs brought to Iran, the splen- attended on by pageboys bearing jewel- pets, textiles, ceramics, and metalwork. dor of Iranian art and culture continued to encrusted ghalyans (water-pipes), female Amongst these, Fellinger is particularly shine in full force; and now, centuries later, dancers performed acrobatics on hennaed excited about the lacquer work and enam- the dazzling masterpieces of that era’s art- hands, and belles in diaphanous blouses els as well as life-size paintings from the ists are not only as radiant as ever, but are pouring copious amounts of wine. Golestan Museum reputed to have been also being used to foster understanding Elsewhere, Nassereddin Shah, ob- lost. Lacroix, on the other hand, has a spe- and appreciation of an ancient and much- sessed with all things European and keen cial fondness for the carpets and portraits misunderstood civilization. Should we be to introduce ‘modern’ ways to his country, on display, particularly those of Nassered- surprised? Not according to Lacroix. “Art toyed with photography in his spare time; din Shah and “the musicians laden with is the best link, always.”n Antoin Sevruguin captured the lives of the rich, the poor, and the downright wretched on celluloid; and painters like Kamal ol- Molk artfully blended together European and Iranian imagery. In contrast to French and British magazines of the day, which often portrayed the shahs as spineless and degenerate, and Iran as a Persian cat made the plaything of a British lion and Russian bear, courtly paintings and photographs depicted a dazzling wonderland of color, passion, and every jewel under the sun in which the Shah, ‘God’s Shadow on Earth’, reigned supreme.
THE AGE OF OPULENCE The art of the Qajar era has long been admired by artists and scholars, says
Summer 2018 23 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E symbolizing strength. The back of the oxen supported the roof of This Is Not Iran; the magnificent audience hall that was known as the Apadana. The column on the side of the boulevard in Buenos Aires made a great resemblance to columns of the Apadana. Named merely This Is Argentina as “The Persian Temple Column,” the nineteen-meter-high (62.5 feet) pillar was highlighted by two ox heads facing opposite sides, Jacqueline Saper paying homage to the glory of the past Persian Empire. Simply put, the column certainly stuck out amongst the regal Spanish/ European style monuments and architecture for which this jewel of a city is known. A few steps away, there was a decorative image of the Persian Lion, a symbol of the pre-revolutionary monarchy of Iran of my childhood. The lion, made of pale green, cream, tan, and turquoise ceramics, was showcased on a low retaining wall. On the ground in front lay a plaque with the imprint “Leon Persa, Autor Blas S. Gurrieri,” which commemorated the Italian-Argentina artist who created the lion. After questioning the locals and our guide, I learned that the striking column was a gift of the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the Queen Farah Diba, to the people of Argentina during their visit to the city in 1965. I was growing up in Tehran at the time that the column was built, which was an idyllic time for Iran. Although this was the era of rapid modernization and progress, it was also a time of reverence for and pride in the glory of the country’s imperial past. In October of 1971, at the age of ten, I witnessed the five-day celebration that paid homage to twenty-five-hundred years of monarchy in Iran. The festivities served to link our king, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, to Persia’s first King Cyrus the Great, and highlight both monarchs’ ethos of respect for cultural diversity. In pre-revolutionary Iran, the two countries of Iran and Ar- I recently escaped Chicago’s cold winter by traveling to sunny gentina had an amicable relationship and the goal of building a Buenos Aires. It was summer there, and the city was in full bloom. promising future. This is the reason why there is a large square in There was no shortage of places to see, things to do, and foods to northern Tehran named “Argentine Square” (Maydan-e Arjantin), try. Our tour agenda included visits to several notable landmarks which is home to a collection of businesses, bus terminals, and and cultural attractions, such as the mausoleum of the beloved First shopping areas. After the success of the Iranian revolution in 1979, Lady Eva Peron, a tango dance showcase, and wonderful places which overthrew the Shah, the two nations initially maintained to enjoy the great local cuisine. their diplomatic alliance. However, following the 1994 bombing Getting around this gem of a metropolis was a relatively easy of the Association Mutual Israelita Argentina in Buenos Aires task, as the city is famous for its wide boulevards. In fact, Avenida (Buenos Aires Jewish community center) which killed eighty-five 9 de Julio (July 9 Avenue), honoring Argentina’s Independence people, relations between the two countries have been strained. The Day, is the widest avenue in the world. This is a city, I found, bombing remains an open case and is a cause of tension between where soccer players are revered as gods, and the bustling nightlife the two countries. begins at 10:00 p.m. Though times have changed, the Shah’s homage to the glory of I was in Latin America, and I was thoroughly enjoying the ancient Persia a few decades ago still stands tall in a Latin American cultural immersion. What I didn’t expect was to see symbols of city in a world apart from Iran. “The Persian Temple Column,” my homeland, Iran, so prominently embedded in Argentine archi- serves as a reminder of a time when governments promoted cultural tecture and incorporated in public monuments. On the third day of exchanges and revered another’s nation’s history.n our tour, on a visit to the Japanese Garden, I was at the crossroads of Figueroa Alcorta Avenue and Sarmiento Avenue when I came upon an immense replica of one of the columns of the Palaces of Persepolis. How could this be? I thought to myself. This is not Iran; this is Argentina. I had come to know Persepolis on a personal level years ear- lier. During the 1980s, I spent eight unforgettable and eventful years in the Southern city of Shiraz, the capital city of the Fars province in Iran. On many occasions, my family, friends, and I, would take the half hour drive to Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid in Persian) and marvel at the majestic ruins of palaces that were once the center of the formidable Persian Empire. The grand structures featured intricately designed columns with an ox with two heads at the top
24 No. 90 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E When you think about Fashion, Shopping, Culture and Eating in Iran think Beyond …
PART ONE For years, most of the knee jerk reactions by people Aghayan was also nominated West has an image of Iran as only reading headlines without for an Academy Award for a country whose fashion is the understanding the underlying Costume Design three times chador, shopping confined to story. Applying this principle for his work in Gaily, Gaily dirt lined bazaars and culture to the Iran, we tolerate most, in 1970, Lady Sings the as only the beat of tribal mu- but remain skeptical about Blues in 1973 and Funny sic. I am always pleasantly sur- those whose heads and faces Lady in 1976. He was also prised to see the reaction of my are covered with a scarf or responsible for designing western friends, with limited whose body is draped in a the costumes for the open- and/or false/tainted informa- black robe. We take the news ing and closing ceremonies tion of the workings of the media reports about Iran and of the 1984 Summer Olym- people in Iran. Yes, due to the Iranians for face value rather pics held in Los Angeles. sanctions placed on the coun- than trying to know the people Aghayan was the life- try, citizens struggle economi- underneath the scarf and the time partner of costume cally, but Iran has been and chador. designer Bob Mackie for continues to be a progressive Through this series of ar- nearly 50 years. country made up for the most ticles about the inner workings He was born in
part of citizens who strive to of Iran and the nature of its Tehran to a family of Aghayan a work by Ray continue to thrive and excel people we hope to show the Armenian descent. in all aspects of life, despite West, the real side of Iran and At the age 13, he being ruled by a religiously Iranians outside of its pres- designed his restrictive government. ent regime. Perhaps through first dress We in the West also have a these simple examples about for Shah tendency to look at our country how much we are alike, rather Mohammad through rose colored glasses. than different, we can strength- Reza Pahla- We do not see the similarities en our campaign against an vi’s wife. His as “the most expen- in extremism we have with almost certain war and divi- mother was also a dressmaker sive store in the world”. In those countries we look down sion of the country. Again, for the Shah’s wife. During the 2000 Bijan courted controver- upon for so many reasons. In what makes the United States 1940s, American films were sy when an advertisement fea- actuality we differ from these stand out to the remainder of popular in Persia, and Aghay- turing a “rotund [nude] model countries only in our extent the world is that which others an would come to California named Bella” and himself was of freedoms. For example, we are willing to die to achieve, as a young man. His mother at first rejected by many New do not degrade or demoralize FREEDOM. joined him 30 years later, just York magazines before it was cults of religious groups in We will begin the series before the Islamic Revolution. accepted by Tina Brown’s this country by calling them with Fashion, by presenting Aghayan died on October 10, Talk magazine. extremists. We look surprised a few of the past and present 2011, at his home in Los An- Bijan’s career began in as an Amish family walks past, Iranian fashion designers. As geles, California. Iran with the Pink Panther shrug our shoulders when our goal is to get as much in- Boutique in Tehran. Among we read about the rules and formation out to the public as BIJAN PAKZAD his clients, Bijan claimed to regulations of the Mormon possible, after reading below, Bijan Pakzad, generally count five American Presi- church or don’t understand feel free to forward informa- known simply as Bijan (4 dents - both George Bush and disciplines of other secular tion on other designers we April 1940 – 16 April 2011), his son, Barack Obama, Ron- and non-secular organizations have missed. was an Iranian designer of ald Reagan, and Bill Clinton that don’t share our views. But menswear and fragrances. - as well as politicians such we tolerate it, or rather have RAY AGHAYAN Born in Tehran, Iran, in as Tony Blair and Vladimir tolerated it because we value Gorgen Ray Aghayan 1940, although his birth year Putin. He also dressed other the freedoms set forth in our (July 28, 1928 – October 10, has also been claimed to be fashion designers such as Os- constitution, freedoms allow 2011) was a costume designer 1944. Bijan Immigrated to car de la Renta, Tom Ford, and us to act within the confines in the United States film indus- America in 1973, settling in Giorgio Armani, high-profile of the law. We as Americans, try. He won an Emmy Award Los Angeles, His exclusive actors including Tom Cruise however, are beginning to lose in 1967 with his partner Bob boutique on Rodeo Drive in and Anthony Hopkins and our ability to tolerate. Unfor- Mackie for his work in Alice Beverly Hills was established professional footballers in- tunately, is a direct result of Through the Looking Glass. in 1976. It has been described cluding Mick McCarthy and
Summer 2018 25 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E named her after watching Clau- packaged with a Persian coffee dette Colbert play the Egyptian maker which sold at Neiman queen in a classic movie. At 8 Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and years old, she announced to B. Altman’s. (She is credited her mother her intentions of with producing one of the first becoming a fashion designer. designer food products). Insisting that she wanted to be- In the late 1960s, Cleopa- come the next Christian Dior, tra’s buyers and private cus- young Cleopatra enrolled in tomers were invited to a design and sewing classes. Her miniature museum of Persian father, who had a penchant for artifacts, where she would read things American, sent 15-year- their fortune from their coffee old Cleopatra to live with her grounds. older brother who had earlier Having learned how to moved to Indianapolis, Indi- cook especially northern Per- ana. sian delicacies from her moth- Starting anew in India- er, Cleopatra considers cook- Liam Brady. was 71. He was survived by napolis, Cleopatra attended ing an art form. In early 1974, Bijan’s fragrances for his three children. Pike High School and at 17, she was featured in Craig both men and women are Bijan’s store on Rodeo claiming her individuality, she Claiborne’s Favorites from the known for their distinctive Drive was sold to LVMH for wrote her own Declaration of New York Times, published by circular glass flacon with US$122 million in August Independence to her father, Times Books. an open center and a divid- 2016. brothers, and the patriarchal Bareh Maveh (lamb ing web. When half full, the society at large. with fruits), Abgushteh Li- fragrance fills two separate CLEOPATRA Following her high school mon (lemon soup), Fosenjohn chambers, seemingly defying BROUMAND graduation, she moved to New (duck and meatballs in wal- the law of gravity that liquid Cleopatra Broumand York City to study design at nut and pomegranate sauce), seeks its own level. One of Birrenbach is a Persian-Amer- the Fashion Institute of Tech- and Chello (plain rice with these perfume bottles is fea- ican designer, innovator, con- nology. Before graduating saffron) were among the fea- tured in the permanent exhibit ceptualist, and entrepreneur from FIT, 21- year old Cleopa- tured dishes she prepared. In of the Smithsonian Institution. in the apparel and related tra established her first fashion 2000, she became a member According to the 2001 industries. Her international business, Cleopatra Broumand of the International Associa- Los Angeles Times Calendar upbringing, education, and Boutique, Inc., designing and tion of Culinary Professionals Section, the Bijan Perfume and keen knowledge of several lan- manufacturing ready-to-wear by invitation of its co-founder, Fashion Business has brought guages enabled her to develop women’s fashion. Julia Child. in an estimated $3.2 billion in a broad global network of per- Cleopatra’s early designs n 1972, Cleopatra married sales worldwide. sonal and business contacts reflected both her continued Thomas Birrenbach, a steel Bijan has been mar- who called upon her intricate quest for emancipation and company executive with the ried twice. His first wife was technical designing capacity her Persian origins. Her fa- German Thyssen Group. He Sigi Pakzad a Swiss-German to develop workable solutions. ther’s Persian Abba, a square is the son of Dr. Kurt Birren- whom he met while living in In return for the oppor- shaped garment with armholes bach, Chairman of the Super- Europe in the 1960s; they had tunities America has offered traditionally worn by men, was visory Board of the Thyssen one daughter, Daniela Pakzad her, Cleopatra is a successful the inspiration for her initial Group (today ThyssenKrupp) and divorced when she was fundraiser for various human collection and one of her most and Member of the German 17. His second wife was Irish- causes, supporter of the fine popular womenswear and Bundestag (Parliament). Japanese interior designer and arts and culinary world. She menswear given its powerful, As special advisor and model Tracy Hayakawa; they is driven by her deep convic- opulent look and freedom of emissary of Chancellor Lud- married in 1986 and divorced tion for the empowerment movement. wig Erhard, he is credited with in 1995. They had two chil- and emancipation of women Buyers were drawn to her having established in 1965 the dren together: Nicolas Bijan worldwide. marriage of Eastern wisdom diplomatic relations between and Alexandra. She later re- Born in Tehran, Iran, she and Western practicality, and the State of Israel and the Fed- married businessman David H. is the youngest of six children: her designs were sought out eral Republic of Germany. Murdock. Hormoz, Dariush, Fereshteh, by the likes of Neiman Mar- See “Meine Sondermis- On April 14, 2011, Bi- Keykavous and Cyrus. Her fa- cus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Henri sionen” by Kurt Birrenbach, jan suffered a stroke and was ther, Khalil Broumand, was a Bendel, and Bergdorf Good- published by ECON Verlag rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medi- businessman in the oil industry man, which was the first to Duesseldorf in 1984. Thomas’ cal Center in Los Angeles. He in Russia. He returned to Iran display her designs in their mother was Ida Wangemann had brain surgery but never after the Bolshevik revolution windows four times in the Birrenbach from Muenster, recovered and died two days and started a new life. Her same year. At the same time, Germany. Cleopatra spent later on April 16, 2011 at 8:05 mother Farangis, a graduate she launched Cleopatra Cof- the next ten years living and am. Public records indicate he of American School in Iran, fee, her own special blend working around the world, in
26 No. 90 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E China, Germany, India, Italy, marketing strategies to the Taroni, etc. 8, 1985. Iran, Japan, Russia, and Scot- Russian Ministry of Light Her Cashmeres and Al- Reminiscent of her earlier land. Aided by her knowledge Industries and Textiles. paca were from Loro Piana designs, garments inspired by of several languages, Cleopa- Following numerous and Agnona. For her Fall ‘84 the medieval world reflected tra became a global fashion countrywide visits, she pre- collection, she drew inspira- Cleopatra’s continued quest influence. sented proposals for their tion from contemporary art- for emancipation and empow- While residing in Ger- modernization. In the late ist Marcos Grigorian’s “Earth erment. The sword, falcon, and many, she launched Cyrus 1980s, as advisor to the proj- Work” revealing its cracks metallic glint of armor ap- International, a Swiss-based ect “Russia in the World of and from German Zero Group peared in her Fall ‘86 designs consulting company advising Fashion,” she conducted ne- artist Adolf Luther’s “Light which retained their softness in American and European firms gotiations with the Ministry and Matter” (Licht+Materie) their knitted and silk textures on marketing and operations of Culture, the Director of coil motif. A computer design or delicate embroidery as the in Iran. the Hermitage Museum in knitted face with red lips and breastplate inspired pieces did. At their Tehran residence St. Petersburg, and the Vice- an asymmetrical collar on the Press publications across in October 1977, the Birren- Chairman of the Cultural sweaters were among other the United States deemed bachs introduced U.S. Vice Foundation of Russia, helping popular designs in the col- “Cleopatra’s woman a woman President Nelson Rockefeller Russia to become a contender lection. of tomorrow with yesterday’s and Happy Rockefeller, who in international fashion. Her evening designs in- romance” and credited her were on a visit for the opening In 1989, as Artistic Liai- cluded quilted silk jackets, ability to marry the modern of the Museum of Contempo- son together with Tair Salak- pleated skirts, and lightly with the exotic. rary Art in Tehran, to Iranian- hov, contemporary artist and embroidered silk shirts. In Bergdorf Goodman, American artist Marcos Grigo- First Secretary of the USSR this same season, with the Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth rian. This introduction led to Artists’ Union, she initiated cracked earth and coil motives, Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, the acquisition of several of and coordinated the first art she premiered a collection of Barneys, Takashimaya, Henri his artworks. Mr. Rockefeller exchange between the USSR men’s sweaters after actor Paul Bendel, Nordstrom, Bullocks eventually donated one of and the Santa Fe Chamber Mu- Newman inquired about mens- Wilshire, etc. are among the Grigorian’s “Earthworks” to sic Festival an art exhibition wear while attending an earlier stores which carried her line. the Museum of Modern Art in related to the legacy of renown womenswear trunk show and Celebrity clients included New York City. Russian composer and artist personal appearance in Bev- the likes of Jacqueline Kenne- In 1979, the Chinese gov- Dmitri Shostakovich (1906- erly Hills. dy Onassis, Gloria Swanson, ernment invited her to high- 1975). Her Fall ‘85 collec- Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, level talks in Beijing as an In 1983, upon returning tion drew inspiration from Linda Evans, Whitney Hous- advisor to the National China to the United States, Cleopatra the Houghton Shahnameh or ton, Jill St. John, Yue-Sai Kan, Textile Corporation on state- re-emerged as one of Ameri- Book of Kings, 16th century Elena Obraztsova, Shirley Ma- of-the-art technology and mar- ca’s innovative designers on miniature illustrations of 10th cLaine, Oprah Winfrey, Mar- keting know-how available in New York’s Seventh Avenue century Persian writer Fer- lon Brando, Paul Newman, the United States. and launched her classic, time- dowsi’s poetry. A sweater from Luciano Pavarotti, as well as On December 10, 1987, less, and colorful collections this collection was included in prominent personalities from General Secretary Mikhail of women’s ready-to-wear, a time capsule placed at New the world of business and Gorbachev hosted a dinner in eveningwear, menswear, and York Marriott Marquis’ grand politics. honor of President and Mrs. accessories in the designer and opening ceremony on October to be continued Ronald Reagan at the Soviet couture categories. Embassy in Washington D.C. As CEO of Cleopatra On this occasion, Broumand, Inc., her second Cleopatra was introduced to fashion venture, she presided Foreign Minister Eduard She- over a diversified operation vardnadze who, in the spirit with productions in Italy and of Glasnost (Openness) and the Far East, distributing to Perestroika (Restructuring), two hundred top specialty took a vivid interest in her stores and boutiques through- line of work and invited her out America, Europe, and Ja- and her husband to a series of pan. fact finding visits to Moscow, Cleopatra’s Fall ‘83 col- Leningrad, Tbilisi, Tashkent, lection was based on an an- etc cient “Sun Man” mask and Based on her experience “Lady Sun,” as well as star- in China the purpose was to bursts and crescent moons. All assess the needs of the anti- her silk prints were computer quated textile and garment designed and produced in the factories and to introduce Como region of Italy by pro-
western merchandising and ducers such as: Etro, Corisia, Broumand Cleopatra by a work
Summer 2018 27 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E One of the least stated aspects in the No.7, pp.64-124, 2016). It was also during the field of academia is the long-standing cul- Germania, reign of the Parthian and Sassanian dynas- tural relation between ancient Iran and Eu- ties in Persia when several waves of Iranian rope. One of these is the field of Germania- Vikings, Saxons speakers migrated into Europe. These are Persia relations. By “Persia” we are not known variously in history as Sarmatians, referring not just to the ancient Achaeme- Alans, Roxolani, Yas, etc. Put simply, the nid, Parthian and Sassanian empires bit the and Ancient Iran: influence of ancient Iranian civilization wider realms of Iranian peoples, a larger came through two general channels: the family that included peoples such as the A Forgotten legacy? Partho-Sassanian empires and fellow Ira- Scythians or Saka, Sarmatians, etc. and the nian peoples who lived in Eurasia and East- ancient (pre-Islamic) empires of Iran just ern Europe at the time. Many of these tribes Kaveh Farrokh mentioned. Iran or ancient Persia itself was were to successfully migrate into Central, formed by the arrival of peoples such as the Northern and Western Europe. Persians, Medes and Saggarthians whose Germania by the Roman historian Tacitus Western academics have variously original arrivals have been now traced to gives the earliest detailed description of the examined the links between Europe, no- the northern realms of their ethnic kin, the Germanic peoples…The account of Tacitus tably Germania and the ancient Iranians. Saka or the Scythians, and it is here where and other early records reveal very clearly One example is Roy Boss who in his book our discussion will mostly focus on. The that the early Germanic peoples, includ- Justinian’s Wars: Belisarius, Narses and Saka or Scythian connection will be revis- ing the ancestors of the Franks, belonged the Reconquest of the West (Montvert ited towards the end of this article. to the Central Eurasian Culture complex Publications, 1993) analyzes the cultural The ancestors of the Germanic peo- which they had maintained since Proto- admixture of the Northern Iranians with ples were Indo-European like the Iranian Indo-European times, just as the Alans and the Germanic peoples with examples such peoples, but the exact origins of these other Central Asian Iranians had done. This as their parallels in dress such as the Kan- peoples and their “eastern” connections signifies in turn that ancient Germania was dys cloak worn by Perso-Mede nobles at have either been obscured or even ignored, culturally a part of Central Eurasia and had Persepolis as well as embroidered coats and but this is now changing with a whole new been so ever since the Germanic migration trousers. A particularly enigmatic find was generation of researchers. But first we must there more than a millennium earlier ” (Em- the discovery in Wolfsheim, Germany of an address theories about the origins of the pires of the Silk Route, Princeton University Press, Iranian (Parthian or Sassanian) belt buckle term “Germani”. The common theory 2009, pages 80-81). that had the Parthian-Pahlavi inscription popular (based mainly on 1st century CE Beck has demonstrated that he is aware “Ardashir” written upon it. This had been Roman historian Tacitus’, Germania, Book that the term “Middle East” is an inaccurate found alongside a coin of Roman emperor II) is that the term “Germani” was not the term that serves to distorts Iran’s histori- Valens who had died fighting a combined original name of the Germanic peoples. The cal heritage and culture. The term “Middle force of Germanic and Iranian Alan war- term Germania is said to have first applied East” is an artificial term invented by Euro- riors in the Battle of Adrianople (August 9, from the time of Julius Caesar in refer- Anglo interests in the early 20th century for 378 CE). The “Ardashir” buckle is housed ence to a tribe(s) that had crossed the Rhine the purpose of geopolitical management. If at the Wiesbaden Museum in Germany. River. According to this theory the term we speak of how to classify Iran or ancient The Alans and other Iranian peoples “Germani” then came to be applied by the Persia with respect to cultural and historical in Eastern Europe and Eurasia had been Romans to all similar tribes who were the ties, then she is culturally and historically forced to migrate westwards into Europe neighbors of fellow Indo-European Slavic closest to Turkey, the Caucasus and Cen- due to Hun attacks and were in turn con- and Baltic peoples. tral Asia, countries and regions with strong quered by the Germanic Goths in the mod- An alternative hypothesis for the term Persianate or Turco-Persian legacies. This ern Ukraine and Crimea. This resulted in “Germani” is made by its etymological par- dynamic however has been significantly a Germanic-Iranic fusion and assimilation allels with the ancient name for the region distorted by the “Middle East” allegory, between the two peoples in the Ukraine of Kerman in Iran, known in also ancient which helps explain why over 80 percent region by the 4th century CE, with one times as “German”, with suggestions of of North Americans at present believe Iran consequence being the transmission of the possible cultural and linguistic links be- to be an Arab country. But as seen with the cavalry-chivalry traditions of ancient Persia tween Kerman and Germania (see for example brief historical sketch outlined below, the to the Germanic peoples. Examples include discussion in The Central Asiatic Journal, 1999, term “Middle East” has distracted genera- striking parallels in composite built “Span- Volume 43, page 7). The possibilities of pos- tions of researchers and laypersons away genhelm” helmets with the 4-5th centuries sible German-Kerman links (and in several from Europa’s links to the ancient Iranians. CE Germanic peoples in even using the cases of Europa-Persian links in general) The links between Europa and the an- same type of wickerwork shields that the is of course rejected by the majority of cient Iranians have been extensive in his- Achaemenids had used as far back as the contemporary Iranian Studies academics. tory. It was during the Partho-Sassanian era 5-6th centuries CE. One interesting Ger- Nevertheless new academic research by where Europe experienced direct interac- manic-Iranian-style Spangenhelm helmet Western academics is no longer summarily tions with Iran, a process in place since the discovered in Northern Italy for example dismissive of links between the Germans Achaemenids (see for example Farrokh, K., An had a Christian cross inscribed upon it, in- (and the wider European arena) and “the Overview of the Artistic, Architectural, Engineering dicating that it belonged to a warrior that East”. Professor Christopher I. Beckwith and Culinary exchanges between Ancient Iran and had converted to the Christian faith. (Professor of Central Eurasian Studies at the Greco-Roman World. AGON: Rivista Inter- There are numerous more examples of Indiana University): “The first-century AD nazionale di Studi Culturali, Linguistici e Letterari, the striking parallels between Partho-Sassa-
28 No. 90 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E nian martial cultures. The Germanic right and the broadsword seen with Kanishka (still prevalent in Irish culture) as well as hand salute seen depicted in Maximian’s the Great of the Kushan Empire or with the Medieval Crusader Cross of the Ger- Chair at the Archbishop’s Palace in Raven- Sassanian monarchs such as Shapur II at manic Teutonic Knights and even the more na, Italy for example is virtually identical Bishapur and Khosrow II at Taghe Bostan recent German Iron Cross circa World War to the ancient Iranian salutes depicted on has strong parallels in not just Germanic One. The Surp Neshan symbol itself is itself the statues of Parthian nobles in Hatra, in culture but also with the wider European a close relative of ancient Iran’s Drafsh modern-day northern Iraq. The raised right- arena. As noted by Helmut Nickel (The Kaviani motif whose themes have been handed salute was a common hail among Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from traced to the Achaemenid era and the Pa- Germanic and Iranian peoples; this is often the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1982, page zyryk carpet. depicted in the regal arts of ancient Persia. 13): “…the blending of the Iranian horse- Diplomatic contacts had also taken Interestingly both the Germanic warrior man culture and the Germanic system of place between the Germanic Ostrogoths depicted in Maximian’s Chair and the Hatra mutual loyalty…resulted (in) the social and the Sassanian Empire but we are as nobles share another cultural parallel: they phenomenon known as chivalry”. What yet uncertain as to the extent these actually all clasp the sword with the left hand as is clear is that Iranian-Germanic migra- took place. Contacts certainly existed as they salute with their right hand. Knowl- tions into Roman territory and into Central indicated by the find of a hoard discovered edge of ancient Iranian dress was certainly and Western Europe resulted in a wide and in Pietrossa in modern-day Transylvania, known among the ancient Germans as indi- shared pan-continental culture that encom- Romanian that yielded two Sassanian ves- cated by a locally sculpted 2nd century CE passed Central Asia, Eurasia, Europa and sels. According to Olwen Brogan, this was stone relief in Koblenz, Germany depict- the Partho-Sassanian Empires. One aspect an indication of “…presents in the course of ing a bearded Parthian man with curly hair in which the Iranian and Germanic share diplomatic relationship between Goth and wearing what appears to be a Kedaris; the common heraldry is the Germanic Cross Persian” (Trade between the Roman Empire and Parthian offering is offering what appears that is related to the Drafsh Kaviani of Iran. the Free Germans. The Journal of Roman Stud- to be gold bars on a tray. The link between the Germanic and Iranian ies, 26 (Part 2), 1936, page 202). It is possible Other examples of parallels include worlds with regards to this symbol is the for example that the parcel of gifts had the striking similarity of the leg of a Sassa- Surp Neshan Basilica (4th Century CE) lo- been bought into Europe for the Goths by nian throne shaped into a griffin (housed at cated today near Abaran in the Republic of Sassanian diplomats or Dabirs sent on the the Louvre Museum in Paris) and the throne Armenia. This Surp Neshan Basilica has a orders of the Sassanian Shahanshah. Sassa- of Germanic kings of the 6th century CE. “Germanic Cross” motif that is strikingly nian and Germanic diplomatic contacts did The ancient Iranian cult of the hero-king similar to Europe’s “Pagan” Celtic Cross indeed take place, with the Ostrogoths of
Summer 2018 29 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Italy sending their embassies to Sassanian continued persisting after the fall of the Caspian Sea while also identifying a re- king Khosrow I (r. 531-579 CE) (Richard N. Sassanians, a factor that benefited Viking gion of ancient Armenia as having been Frye, The History of Ancient Iran. Munich, Germa- traders who sailed with ships to Northern known as “Saka-sina” (Book XI, page ny: C.H. Becksche Verlagsbuchhanndlung, 1984, Iran along the Volga trade route. The Vi- 776, 778). Roman writer and philosopher page 326). The Ostrogoths who had been kings however, were already well already Pliny (23-79 CE) describes the “Saka-sina” under severe duress as a result of Romano- in contact with Iran during the Sassanian as a majestic Scythian that settled in Ar- Byzantine military pressure, were hoping era. It was during the late Sassanian era menia. Another ancient scholar of antiq- that Khosrow would attack the Romano- when the Vikings appear to have adopted uity who wrote in the Parthian era is the Byzantine empire. the segmented helmet depicted on the stat- Greek geographer and astronomer known The topic of architectural links be- ue of Khosrow II on his horse Sabdiz at as Ptolemy (100-168 CE) identifies the tween the Germanic peoples and ancient Taghe Bostan in Western Iran. As noted by “Saxones” as descendants of the “Sakai”, Persia had been first explored in depth by Peter Wilcox: “The resemblance between themselves descended from the Scythians Arthur O. Pope (Persian architecture and Persian this [Sassanian] helmet…from the fully or the Saka. Ptolemy also emphasizes that origins. The Burlington Magazine for Connois- armored king carved into the rock at Taq- the “Sakai” originally hailed from Media, seurs, 1933, Vol. 62, No. 363, pp. 292-294). While i-Bostan [Taghe Bostan] near Kermanshah which broadly speaking, is modern-day too numerous to list and discuss here, some and those recovered from the Scandinavian north, northwest, west Iran. Despite these examples of such links include the vault graves at Vendel and Valsgarde in Swe- classical references modern-day Western design in Germanic and wider European den is remarkable” (Wilcox, P. (1999). Rome’s scholars and much of their Iranian Stud- architecture which has its origins in pre- Enemies: Parthians and Sasanid Persians. Osprey ies counterparts have chosen for the main Islamic Persia. With respect to Sassanian Publishing, p.47, Plate H1; Kaveh Farrokh, Ghol- part to avoid emphasizing this information. domed architecture Giovanni Curatola and amreza Karamian and Adam Kubic presented a Turner adds that the very large number an- Gianroberto Scarcia have noted that “… paper on this topic at Sidlce University, Poland on cient Persian loan words in the language of domed spaces in Christian buildings in Nov. 2016). Perhaps even more remarkable the Saxons points to their Northern Iranian Europe derive from the Armenian model, are recent findings of Persian silk on Viking origins. Too numerous to list here, some which, in turn, comes from Sassanian Per- trading ships. examples of Turner’s analysis of shared sia: This can be attributed to geographic Marianne Vedeler, Associate Profes- words between Old Iranian and the proto- proximity and also to the fact that for long sor at the Museum of Cultural History, Uni- Saxon language include the following: am periods Armenia was contained within versity of Oslo in Norway has concluded on = I am, Arian = to honor, Ende = to end, Eranshahr.” (The Art and Architecture of Persia. the basis of the silk that has been found on Bar = a load, Bradar = brother, Svestar = New York: Abbeville Press, translated by M. Shore, Viking trading ships, that more silk came sister, Bedroz = a present, Bysgo = Busi- page 92, 2007). The archway of the entrance to Norway from Persia than from Con- ness, Bidari = vigilance, Murdan = to die, to Ctesiphon has stylistic and architectural stantinople. Large amounts of silk among Nah = not, Isa = ice, Dar = door, Guftan parallels to Germanic architecture such as the Vikings have patterns from the Persian = speech, to relate, Na = no, Gers, grass, the 5th Century CE Church of Saint-Pierre Empire. The silk that was woven with the Lippa = lip, Sakht = violent, stubborn, Sorg in Vienna and the archways on the upper sophisticated samitum technique, has sev- = sorrow, grief, Tundar = thunder. There are outer walls of the Palace of the 6th century eral motifs that can be linked to Iranian of course Iranian languages today which CE Germanic king Theoderic (r. 475 – 526 (pre-Islamic) religious motifs. have words with direct Germanic equiva- CE) at Ravenna. Writing in the 19th century Sharon lents such as the Kurdish words Gama = Contacts between the Germanic peo- Turner has also offered a hypothesis about Game, Mara = marry, Mong = moon, and ples and the Iranian world were especially the origins of the Germanic term “Saxon” Firo = free of charge. among the North Germanic Nordic peoples in her text “History of the Anglo-Saxons”. Before concluding this discussion it and their Viking successors in the post- According to Turner: “…of the various may interest readers that the older genera- Islamic era of Persia. Scythian nations that have been recorded, tion Scots, who like the Irish and Welsh The famous Viking Ulfbehrt sword the Sakai, or Sacae, are the people whom are descendants of the ancient Celts of has in fact a Persian connection. Fredrik the descent of the Saxons may be inferred Britannia, referred to the Saxons as the Charpentier Ljungqvist of Stockholm Uni- with the least violation of probability”. “Sassan-ach”. This raises questions as to versity has researched the Volga trade route Turner outlines the Old (North) Ira- the striking parallels between this term and of the Vikings and their ships between Lake nian name of the tribe of the Sakai-Suna “Sassan” and “Sassanian” (pertaining to the Malaren in Sweden to the ports of North- (sons of the Saka or Sakai) that was then Sassanian dynasty). ern Iran between the early 800s to mid- linguistically abbreviated into “Saksun” The Sassan-ach/Sassanian cognates 1000s where: “…it is very likely that the which became the name of the “Saxon” have been ignored by scholarship, who steel that you find in the Ulfberht swords tribe. As the Germanic peoples, like the would almost certainly dismiss this as originated from Iran…I would guess that Iranian, Balto-Slavic, Armenian, Hellenic, coincidence. However, given the concise they bought it [Persian steel] from friendly Italic, etc. are of the Indo-European fam- discussion in this article, the possibilities of trading connections in Iran paid with furs ily, their origins, or more specifically that the links between the Iranian and Germanic and other Nordic commodities and took it of the Saxons, has been traced by Turner peoples are challenging to ignore. A new back on the small ships that they used on to the east of modern Europe, in this case generation of scholars with a more open the rivers”. While Sassanian Persia had to northern Iran. Writing at the time of the perspective will certainly put much of the fallen to the Arabo-Muslim invasions of the Parthians, the Greek geographer, historian discussion here to close scrutiny, hopefully 7th century CE, Northern Persia remained and philosopher Strabo (63 BCE-23 CE), opening the possibilities of new avenues defiant with its metallurgical technology identifies the “Saksun” to the east of the of research.n
30 No. 90 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Caravansaray
Moḥammad-Yūsuf Kīānī and Wolfram Encyclopedia Iranica
Caravansaray (also Caravansarai, Caravansaray, Pers. kārvān-sarā/-sarāy “lodging for caravans,” from kār(a)vān “cara- van” and sarāy “house”; sometimes called ḵān), a building that served as the inn of the Orient, providing accommodation for commercial, pilgrim, postal, and especially official travelers. The term kārvān-sarā was commonly used in Iran and is preserved in several place names. In Persian the Arabic term rebāṭ, meaning a fortified rest Sara-o-alsaltaneh, The largest Carvansara in the world, in Qazvin house on a land route, was common, as was the popular desig- nation kārvān-sarāy-e šāh-ʿabbāsī (built by Shah Abbās) after Shah Abbās I (996-1038/1588-1629); the latter term, however, palace of Demetrias called the Anaktoron, with rooms opening was applied indiscriminately to all caravansaries built between from a large colonnaded courtyard (Marzolff; pp. 42ff.); Greek and the late 10th/16th and 13th/19th centuries. Roman peristyle houses; and a.d. 3rd- and 4th-century Roman Caravansaries could be established by religious foundations castles like Burgsalach (Ulbert and Fischer, p. 87) and the Palast-Burg on pilgrim routes or by merchants’ guilds, as well as by rulers and in Pfalzel, near Trier (Cüppers, pp. 163ff.). The same building type notables on normal commercial routes, which were often identical persisted in the Near East in structures like the church-house with the pilgrim routes (in only rare instances are original build- from Dura Europos (a.d. 3rd century; Klengel, p. 162). It achieved its ing inscriptions preserved in situ). In addition, especially in the fullest expression, however, in the work of Muslim architects: reign of Shah Abbās, when the road system was systematically in the desert palaces of the Omayyads, hypostyle (or “Arab”) extended throughout Iran, the court at Isfahan seems to have built mosques, Koran schools (madrasas), and above all rebāṭs and many caravansaries along the new roads: those linking Isfahan to caravansaries. It thus played an integral part in the architectural Faraḥābād on the Caspian Sea (Kleiss, 1980); those leading from history of the Islamic lands. The Crusaders brought it to Europe, Bandar-e Abbās(ī) on the Persian Gulf coast to Lār (either directly where it was combined with the cruciform aisles of Christian or through Bandar-e Lenga) and Shiraz, to Sīrjān and Yazd, and architecture and adopted for the castles of the Teutonic Knights to Bāft and Kermān; and those from Isfahan to Hamadān, from (Holst), as well as for Renaissance (e.g., the castle of Aschaffenburg; Isfahan to Mašhad via Yazd and Ṭabas, from Isfahan to Kermān Wasmuths Lexikon, p. 191) and Baroque palaces (Wasmuths Lexikon, via Yazd, from Kermān to Mašhad, from Qazvīn to Shiraz via pp. 321ff.); it survived in modern architecture in buildings for Sāva and Isfahan, from Qazvīn to Jolfā via Tabrīz, and from special purposes, like 19th-century museums (e.g., the Kunst- Tehran to Mašhad (Kleiss, 1987; 1981, pp. 203ff.). gewerbemuseum in Berlin). From the number of surviving caravansaries (by 1366 In the Persian setting this courtyard plan, the one most Š./1987 some 465 buildings had been systematically measured) commonly adopted for caravansaries, was probably borrowed and from their sizes it is clear that in Safavid and Qajar times from the rebāṭ. In the 2nd-6th/8th-12th centuries the Persian rebāṭ there was a state architectural department that was specifically was typically almost square, with a single entrance, frequently concerned with the construction of caravansaries and stations emphasized by a projecting block. Towers at the corners and on the overland routes. Furthermore, in the cities a number of at intervals along the curtain walls conveyed a powerful and caravansaries were erected as lodging houses, depots, and com- forbidding impression. Inside the walls the courtyard was sur- mercial offices in the vicinity of the bāzārs. They resembled the rounded by arcaded porticos and four halls (ayvāns) open toward road caravansaries in form, except that most had two stories, the courtyard as at Qaḷʿa-ye Sangī near Kāj on the road north of whereas the latter had only one. Qom. Arrayed against the outer walls were vaulted rooms, open- A social consciousness fostered by the laws and beliefs of ing from the arcades. In the four corners of the structure there Islam and embodied in the institution of the waqf (pious endow- were large domed rooms or more complex spaces consisting of ment) certainly played a role in the construction of caravansaries, cruciform corridors, each with four corner rooms. Only such but the desire for prestige was also recognizable in all periods rebāṭs, which had been designed mainly as military guardposts and especially under the Safavids and the Qajars, when rulers to ensure safety on the roads but which naturally also served to and merchants sponsored many such structures along the caravan shelter travelers, could be considered suitable for reception of routes near Isfahan and Tehran. large camel caravans. The normal caravansary consisted of a square or rectangular The Mongol invasion brought a visible change in building plan centered around a courtyard with only one entrance and ar- forms and functions. In the post-Mongol period, for example, rangements for defense if necessary. Whether fortified or not, it it is clear from the plans themselves that the main function of at least provided security against beasts of prey and attacks by caravansaries, such as that at Bīsotūn, was as inns, especially in brigands. This architectural type developed in the 1st millennium the Safavid constructions of the 11th/17th century. b.c. in Urartian and Mesopotamian architecture (Kleiss, 1979; Typically there were arched niches on both sides of the Frankfort, pp. 73ff.) and was further evolved in the ancient world, portal, which served as cupboards and fireplaces for those stay- in the palace architecture of the ancient Greeks, for example, the ing overnight outside the caravansary. The portal was placed
Summer 2018 31 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E more architectonically, on the central axis of the facade, and or domed chambers. emphasized by a projecting two-storied entrance block; in the In the hot, humid coastal areas along the Persian Gulf, the upper story there were residential quarters for more affluent climatic pattern is entirely different from those in the central travelers. There were no porticos around the courtyard; instead Iranian desert basins or the uplands. The caravan routes and there was a series of anterooms with arched entrances, through buildings on the coastal lowlands along the Persian Gulf can best which travelers passed to reach the guest rooms. The anterooms be studied on the stretches of road built by the Safavids from were raised 60-100 cm above the level of the courtyard so that Bandar-e ʿAbbās to the west, northwest, and north, especially the caravan animals could not stray into them. Both anterooms the stretch between Bandar-e ʿAbbās and Lār (Gaube, 1979, pp. and guest rooms were provided with niches and fireplaces, the 33ff.). The majority of caravansaries on these roads were built latter vented through chimneys. The ayvāns, also slightly raised in pavilion style, with many variations in plan and construction. above the level of the courtyard, served to articulate the inner The basic type was a square building with a cruciform central facades and, with the exception of the entrance ayvān, provided space and corner rooms. additional accommodations for more important travelers. On A stone platform encircled the building. The rooms could both sides of the entrance behind the portal there were usually all be entered from the outside, as these caravansaries were not at least two rooms, intended for a guard and for the manager of intended to provide protection; apparently such measures were the caravansary, who no doubt also offered provisions for sale. unnecessary when the type was introduced by Shah ʿAbbās I, who Larger caravansaries had storerooms, latrines, baths, and places provided for general security on the caravan routes. The pavilion for prayer; in particular there might be a prayer niche in one of the caravansary could thus be open on all sides in order to permit the ayvāns, depending on whether or not one of the building axes was cooling winds to blow through the buildings. The cisterns that oriented to the qebla (the direction of Mecca). In the four corners stood next to such pavilion caravansaries were usually larger than of the courtyard there were often diagonal walls with entrances the accommodations themselves. to the stables (though arrangements for access to the stables The size of the caravansaries, especially those built in court- varied considerably). The stalls, with raised sleeping platforms yard form, depended upon the frequency of traffic on the different for caravan drivers, were found between the outer walls and the roads. The prime considerations in construction were function guest rooms and were frequently divided into four sections, in and the need for space, not ostentation. By the size of the build- order to increase the capacity for accommodations. The sleep- ings the relative significance of the roads can thus be measured. ing platforms in the stables were also provided with niches and The spacing of way stations on level terrain was 30-40 km fireplaces. In a few caravansaries, instead of stable entrances in (average 35 km), which represented a day’s caravan journey. In the four corners of the courtyard, elaborate suites of guest rooms mountainous regions, where the distance between two caravan- opened directly from the courtyard. These suites could also be saries was determined by the steepness of the road, the interval entered from the stables through domed rooms. The range of could be as small as 10-20 km. The pavilion caravansaries in architectural variation in Iranian caravansaries was considerable the lowlands along the Persian Gulf were only about 5 km apart, and was further developed in each subsequent period. Until the often even closer together. The same is true of the small courtyard construction of caravansaries came to an end at the beginning of caravansaries on the road from Bandar-e Lenga to Ḵonj via Lār. the 14th/20th century, they represented an unbroken tradition of These buildings consisted of long, narrow stables, which were considerable achievement within Iranian architecture. grouped around mainly square courts, with small rooms for Aside from courtyard caravansaries of this type, among travelers flanking the entrances. which there were a few examples with two entrances on oppo- Čāpār-ḵānas (postal stations; cf. čāpār) were frequently built site sides, as well as one with entrances both in front and in one next to large caravansaries, mainly in the Qajar period. They also side wall, there were also round caravansaries with twelve-sided had courtyard plans, but because of their size and construction courtyards and octagonal caravansaries. The number of ayvāns technique they were not suitable for caravans. could vary between two and four. Large Iranian courtyard caravansaries were built mainly Furthermore, in certain regions of Iran, there were caravan- of baked brick. The rebāṭs, the mountain caravansaries, and the saries without interior courtyards: completely roofed mountain pavilion types of the Persian Gulf were more frequently built of caravansaries and a pavilion type in the coastal areas on the rubble and faced with stucco. Rubble was also used for many Persian Gulf. Mountain caravansaries were built in or close Qajar courtyard caravansaries. In the Saljuq period dressed stone to passes and were partially dug out of the cliffs so that their was used in such buildings only in Khorasan, but it was typical backs and parts of their side walls were sheltered under the for caravansaries in Armenian settlement areas of Azerbaijan. overhanging mountains. They provided travelers with shelter from snow storms and avalanches in the autumn and spring; in winter the roads through the passes are almost entirely blocked. Sara-o-alsaltaneh, The largest Carvansara in the world, in Qazvin In lower mountain regions completely vaulted caravansaries also occurred but as a rule only as later additions or as entrance structures associated with courtyard caravansaries. This combi- nation of enclosed and open-court caravansaries occurred much more frequently in the Saljuq ḵāns of central Anatolia and in the Transcaucasian steppes than in Iran. The completely roofed type of mountain caravansary encompassed a broad range, from small road stations to royal structures of the period of Shah ʿAbbās. In the smaller examples there is typically a central domed room with surrounding stable corridors or a series of tunnel-vaulted
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