Mana Neyestani's Yearbook Nowroz 1393 A Conversation With Mana Neyestani child grows up and gives up the pen Ala Mohseni and paper. Your father was Fortunately for me, there were people a poet and your in my family who did not let this older brother an happen. It seems I never grew up artist. So it was and so I just continued. Of course, not surprising that it is easier when you have an older you too became an brother who is a draughtsman and a artist. How did you cartoonist. discover caricature and when did Where and when did you start your you decide to become a cartoonist? professional career? I still remember what we learned If by professional you mean when did from our art teachers when we were my work first appear in print, I started high school classmates. in 1989, when I was in my second year My drawings then were not really of high school. My first works were professional. Even now I am not a illustrations for articles published in professional “face” cartoonist. I can Transportation Industry, a respected draw enough of a face to get a subject- publication that at the time was home oriented cartoon going. I envy artists to some of Iran’s most professional such as Hossein Safi, Alireza Pakdel, journalists. Touka Neyestani, who Shahab Jafar Nejad, Afshin Sabouki, worked there, introduced me. Bozorgmehr Hossein Pour and I then started studying architecture Touka Neyestani, who are so good at at the Tehran University of Fine Arts. exaggerating a face and depicting its I worked for various publications on essence. the side, both to make some pocket I started painting when I was three or money and because I was interested in four. Paintings by children, by their doing that. After a few years, I became very nature and on a subconscious aware that cartoons had become my level, resemble caricatures. They are job and my main source of income. exaggerated, satirical and not subject Tell us something about Iranian to absolute reality. Later, however, media in those years. It was a children are pressured to paint a strange time, a hive of activity, but vase or a fruit basket exactly as they there were also crackdowns on the appear in real life, so little by little, media, with publications being the child’s creativity, sense of humor closed down on a regular basis. and imagination withers away, or the Somebody like the cartoonist

Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 3 4 Mana's Yearbook it and inwhispers closed behind newspapers instead of hearing about of story the “the Chain Murders” in broken;had been you could follow included Keyhan, Ettela’at and others The monopoly of newspapersthat People were spirits, inhigh too. clearlypolicies, and without hedging. one could to object government Ita book. was first the thattime magazinethe Tavana, and publishing submitting aregular comic strip for –asteadythat column, period I had many first-experiences during time, began to ease. Islamic Culture and Guidance at the life under Mirminister the Salim, of that had for many years characterized suffocatingthe pressure of censorship of topics were no longer taboo, and spaces opened up, agreater number and my changed views too. Suddenly, I witnessedmany changes around me, with editorial the board. But evenso, around office the much ormingle corner.in the Ididnot wander Aftab-e Emrouz,where I had a desk offices inthe based newspaperthe of Khatami[when was president], Iwas himself. most During of reform the era published afew cartoon columns by people and in media politics. He even big with and and small, socialized frequented offices the periodicals, of question better than Ican. He Nikahang Kowsar can answer this became anbecame “offensivecartoonist”. (“What?” inAzerbaijani), Isuddenly over its that head read: “Namanah?” a cockroach bubble with aspeech agency and cartoon the depicted featured name the of agovernment minorities. magazine the Because conspiracy to suppress ethnic that there was a government Some people convinced themselves or inmy 18 children’sthe of magazine, the section of racism or discrimination ethnic in Had any there been previous trace was something exceptional or not. offensive so-called the illustration issues of magazine the whether to see Nobody bothered to go through back andstyle audience. had section The its particular own articles and publishing illustrations. Friday without a contract, writing forsection weekly the magazine Iran For two years, Iran children’s the refuse towho me. believe and Icannot doanything about those explanations have done by so now want who those I think to my believe repeatedly over years. past the seven I have explained what happened imprisonment and forced exile? tofamous that your cartoon led for children’s and magazines the about youCan your talk work short. doors. It but period, it was agood was

-year career? a way, in Iran, especially where, for interpretedmaterial be will in such should come as nothat surprise all itand So conspiracy ineverything. attitudes. People ahidden agenda see increase, arethe too so suspicious oppression and injustice are on andWhen pressures, political social thought. is more complex than Ioriginally problemthe much goes and deeper downI calmed alittle. that Irealized of Whenpart aspeech. Iheard that, suchexactly an interpretation as former president Ahmadinejad] gave Supreme and an Leader advisor to by office the the of scientist employed Abbasi [apolitical that DrHassan Kurds. Later, I heard fightwiththe wife” into an ethnic “marry aKurdish include words the rhymenursery that a popular Persian I said at that time the it was like turning and how it was presented. consideration its intended audience least, put it into context, into taking another alternative or, at very the overlooked. to Some refused accept and reformist was totally media, my participation inopposition My record injournalism, and that was this simply ahumorous however,then, would have shown of review situation the A cursory back words.code terms to get message their out, to find have in more to learned speak general of censorship and tyranny. People to metaphors and allegories as aresult artists havedecades, resorting been cockroach used the word. the cockroach used The answer Some people ask me why the suspicious. Iran Friday would have less been judgingthose its appearance in publishedbeen inother magazines, important. Maybe cartoon ifthe had it? Yes, Ididn’t because it think was of acharacter. Had Iforgotten about bubblespeech floating abovethe head “namanah”, I’d which included ina publication. He underlined word the I’d done much earlier for another laterA friend sent me acartoon street.the regularlystyle language the used of Nowroz 1393 the newspaper’sthe “namanah” and – oftenthe worduse conversations, I word. In everyday why aTurkic Iused people ask who me There are many still were no metaphors. 16.There10 to forinsert aged kids Mana's Yearbook 5 6 Mana's Yearbook was my turn for trouble. Tomorrow intent of cartoon’s the creator? It onebelieve meaning was absolute the one over another? Why didthey available, to believe did people choose various unverified interpretations My question is: why, from the all thing fromwas furthest the my mind. me, though offending even anyone discrimination brought to be against upopened way the for charges of sorrow over slip, this then which I have repeatedly expressed my have nothing to been else go on. Persian word for “what?”, there would “namanah”. Had simple the Iused proof was thatword the Ihadused Azerbaijani language. The only up language and uses child the the made- a connection the between criticisms, claimed which to show There wereeven more bizarre silence. issues,political would they choose entangled and own intheir social by grown-ups, many of whom are harshly would so they be judged Ifanimals children talk. these knew for children. In fantasy their world, often in speaking Persian. It was magazine featured animals, talking Persian words. Previous issues of the featured cockroaches and frogs using is saying. same Onthe page, I understand what other the character is simple: not cockroach the does consisted of my room, my sheets of am lucky that my world has always guy” in my even own country. I world –and Iwas not “relationship building a relationship with a new and and friends challenges the of for me, like separation from family Emigration has brought difficulties air,this though it’s even recycled. of abit. exile Now we get alittle bit of internet has changed experience the on how to live or die. In any the case, prescriptions for artists and others much, butvery Iprefer not to write own country. late the Irespect Saedi dies ifhe cannot breathe air the of his Hossein said that who Saedi, an artist it and quoted writer the Gholam- asked mefriend how with I coped about Once, them. at agathering, a cannot issue blanket judgments andindividual one experiences Emigration and exile,like love, are since you left? projects have working you on been you happy to have left Iran? What and on theinternational stage. Are audience amonga wider Iranians You’ve famous and enjoyed become to have given you more freedom. adventure. Iran seems Leaving Your an emigrationbeen hasalso rife. be will misunderstandings and suspicions currentthe environment continues, else’s. somebody be it will As long return? welcome artists back like you? Will you you isreadyDo to the country think There’s government anew in Iran. worksall out. of other projects. We how see it will Mardomak. Iam working on acouple Adventures of Mr. Ka, is published by France. Athird, Nightmare: The few years and is only available in ofcollection my work over past the Is Everything book, In Order, is a summer. this America My second publishedversion be inNorth will andGerman Spanish and an English published been has inItalian, also an autobiographical It comic book. including An Iranian Metamorphosis, I have published inFrance, two books Italian bimonthly East. IranWire and Tavana, as well as the I currently work for websites the Zamaneh and later, Mardomak. websitesthe and Online Rooz Radio Outside Iran, contributing Istarted to bondage. that my there colleagues are in still suppress my own and ideas, Iknow Iran, Iwas at timesforced and to kill myI can use imagination more. In censorship have removed been and At same the time, yes, limitations and muchbeen harder. to Iranian snacks, or it would have mansociable and Iwas not addicted paper and my Iwas pens. never a tolerance. responsibility for lack this of governmentthe considerable bears to authorities the but, in any case, upwards,trickle from peopleup divides. Of course, tolerance must and political ofa deepening social apart from intensified suspicions and system,political nothinghappen, will of the policy enemies is primary the long as finding enemies and fighting and balanced healthy.society As abusive ones, to are keep necessary harshestthe most critics, the even toin power understand begin that tolerance improves – and that those nothing.does Ihope level the of bludgeoned,being smiling the group bludgeons you. And you when are you, another group powerful equally power.the While one group at smiles not asingleauthority that holds all IknowAll is that, inIran, there is Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 7 8 Mana's Yearbook Presidential Elections The Rafsanjani robe isready for hisSuperman his suppression ofdissent Came Man With PresidentialOne candidate Ghalibaf, aStick: known for Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 9 10 Mana's Yearbook Esfandiar Mashaei preferred successor, Ahmadinijad andhis Passing theUNHalo: for hardliner candidates Rafsanjani’sCrossing disqualifiesthe reformist, Khamenei Red Sea: paving the way Jalili’s Reverse Evolutionary Path Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 11 12 Mana's Yearbook Rouhani’s GoldenKey Snake andAhmadinejad’s Ladder Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 13 14 Mana's Yearbook Empty Promises:Empty Vote for Meand PovertyWipe Out After Four Years, From the Electorate Cry AStifled Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 15 16 Mana's Yearbook Ahmadinejad’s Legacy, Eight Years on After The Elections Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 17 18 Mana's Yearbook Rouhani’s Ballet Selecting ACabinet Selecting Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 19 20 Mana's Yearbook support –and silence–inthesamebreath support The Representative: for Political rhetoric calls Does Parliament Represent theBestofNation? Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 21 22 Mana's Yearbook P5+1 Negotiations: Who’s gottheupperhand? Hail To/Death ToAmerica NegotiatingBehind The Table Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 23 24 Mana's Yearbook Heroic Calisthenics Red Rose? orthe The Dagger Iran andtheUSA: The Political Paradox Ticklish Subject Ticklish Politics Today:A Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 25 26 Mana's Yearbook The Matrix: WelcomeThe The BridgeIsUnderConstruction The Charter for Citizen’sThe Charter Rights Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 27 28 Mana's Yearbook Hush, itisnotthe Time: The Government isEngagedinNegotiations Now That There’s aNew to Protect, theLittlePrince’s Seedling Flower isUnder Threat. Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 29 30 Mana's Yearbook The Committee to From Return Political Abroad Activists Iran ’ s most powerful men join the Selfie club menjointheSelfie s mostpowerful Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 31 32 Mana's Yearbook Khamenei One Man With One VoteOne WithMan One Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 33 34 Mana's Yearbook A Course in Anger Management: Dealing with the Supreme Leader A Course Dealingwiththe Supreme inAngerManagement: Ushered in Rouhani’s Symbol, Election the Violet Key, is Playing withReligious Edicts Games Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 35 36 Mana's Yearbook Khamenei: Khamenei: “We needapopulation ofat least150million.” Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 37 38 Mana's Yearbook Women Family Violence Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 39 40 Mana's Yearbook Patriarchy of aCloak Metamorphosis Manteau: The Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 41 42 Mana's Yearbook You are theNail! Virginity Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 43 44 Mana's Yearbook Waiting For The Court’s Judgment Censorship come across asthesex toys andpornography sowidelyavailable. abuse withinthehome isacommon tragedy, andis almostaseasyto maybe more peoplewillpay andelsewhere, attention». Iran In child only thing I can do, without expressing pity, is to so that draw a cartoon IranWire, andfrom onFacebook, friends Neyestami Mana wrote: «The close familymembers. After reading aboutsomeoftheseaccounts on are whenthosethecrimes committedsexual abuse, by particularly donotwantMany to victims talkabouttheirexperiences ofrape or Rape Within theFamily Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 45 46 Mana's Yearbook The New Leggings! Danger: Separation oftheSexes Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 47 48 Mana's Yearbook Justice? prosecutor oftheIslamicRevolutionary Court theformer Mortazavi, for Sentence Saeed A Heavy Under The Skirt of Justice (Kahrizak Prison) ofJustice(Kahrizak Under The Skirt Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 49 50 Mana's Yearbook Sattar Beheshti’sSattar Mother’s Day Labor Message Sattar Beheshti’sSattar Mother Catherine and Ashton EUForeign Chief Policy and HisMother Beheshti,theBlogger inPrison, Sattar Who Died Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 51 52 Mana's Yearbook Vote?” Protester: ” Where IsMy Security Forces:Security ”Unforgivable!” Jannati’s Compassion: Mousavi receives adequate attention medical Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 53 54 Mana's Yearbook as shevisitsherfather underhousearrest Guard attacks –andbites –Mousavi’s daughter Enemy ofthePress Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 55 56 Mana's Yearbook There isnoCensorship inIran. AliJannati, Minister ofCulture: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Mahmoud Culture Minister ofFilm, for President A Memento by Javad Deputy Shamaqdari, dissidentsandwritersintellectuals, period whichsaw thesystematic murder of ofthe Anniversary “Chain Murders”, the10-year Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 57 58 Mana's Yearbook Empathy With oftheEarthquake Child Victims government authoritiesagainstthepeople.” “It isforbidden to reveal theinjusticeof Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 59 60 Mana's Yearbook incident road rage couple ina shot at a who Karimi, Mahmoud Singer: Religious The Armed A Happy Endingfor Karimi. “We have nocomplaintsagainsthim.” Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 61 62 Mana's Yearbook The Fall: Two from afire to escape women dieafter trying “The Fireman isGuilty!” “The Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 63 The Private Sphere 64 Mana's Yearbook Executions Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 65 66 Mana's Yearbook AFew Centimeters UntilExecution No To Executions Nowroz but… We are notSportsmen, 1393 Mana's Yearbook 67 68 Mana's Yearbook Performance The Last A LittlePuff who miraculously survived execution survived who miraculously The Fate ofAlireza M, Dance Macabre Dance Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 69 70 Mana's Yearbook No Comment He had lost his heart to alittlecanary” He hadlosthisheart “A butcher was crying forget one: theshortest wroteIranian poetAhmadShamloo many memorablepoems, butIwillnever Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 71 72 Mana's Yearbook The Execution Assembly Line The Execution Assembly Twenty-Five YearsOn Prison Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 73 74 Mana's Yearbook Political Prisoner For ArashSadeghi, Freedom Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 75 76 Mana's Yearbook Bars Remain Prison Walls,Outside the The Other Side oftheBars Side The Other The Arab Autumn Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 77 78 Mana's Yearbook Mummification ofMorsi,the Relic Mummification Following in Egypt theButterfly Nowroz 1393 Mana's Yearbook 79 80 Mana's Yearbook Guarding The VotesEgypt in Nowroz 1393

Mana's Yearbook The Right To Choose: “Now choose: Me or him?” or Me choose: “Now Choose: To Right The 81 82 Mana's Yearbook Syria, The BlindSpot New Year,Syria Nowroz 1393 Page layout: Amir Taghizadeh Iranwire.com Neyestani’s Mana Yearbook Mana's Yearbook 83