Friends of Shahnameh is proud to announce that this year we will be celebrating the Commemoration Day of Ferdowsi for the 14th consecutive year in Manchester. The session is free to attend and will be in Persian and English. To book your free ticket please click here. گروه دوستان شاهنامه با افتخار نقدیم می‌نماید: چهاردهمین بزرگداشت فردوسی در منچستر با حضور دکتر محمود کویر و جمعی از دوستان هنرمند و اعضای گروه دوستان شاهنامه. برای رزرو رایگان جا اینجا کلیک بفرمایید.

Once in a while, some of my writings find their way and escape the lines of my notebooks. To be read or be heard manifests not just a sense of accomplishment, it becomes the air to breath in. All About Business Tycoons: Sir Gessner and the Great Crate Company or The Box Empire: written by me and performed by Pete and Atusa. Special thanks to Commonword Cultureword and the Portico Library for their support. هر چندگاه یکبار برخی از نوشته‌های من شانس پرواز در افقی فراتر از خطوط دفترچه‌ را پیدا می‌کنند. تجربه خوانده یا شنیده شدن اشباع و اقناع حس نیست، نیازی است. با سپاس از کامنورد، پیت و آتوسای عزیز. غول‌های سرمایه داری: سر گسنر و امپراتوری جعبه

The Box Empire: written by me and performed by Pete and Atusa. It was a joy to experience the recording of one of my writings. Watch the space! امروز در ضبط پادکست امپراطوری چهارچوب. به زودی منتشر خواهد شد.

هنر نمایش و اعتراض: سیروان شهامت گفتن حرفی بود که مثل خیلی از دردهای دیگر در گلو خفه شده بود. تسلط بر نحوه گویش، توانایی دراجرا و قدرت تفسیر نقش‌‌‌ها در سیروان قابل تقدیر است. جمعی فارسی زبان هستیم، اقلیتی نامتجانس که نیاموختیم چگونه به ایده و گفته‌ مخالف با دیدی باز بیندیشیم. سپاس ويژه از گروه تیارا و آکادمی صهبا که با نمایش سیروان چنین فرصتی را فراهم نمودند. دوستان علاقمند به تاتر، اجرای امشب سیروان و تجربه نقطه اوج نمایش (ترکیب تصنیف زنده همراه اسلایدهایی از واقعیت تلخ زندگی کول‌بران) را از دست ندهید. در ادامه بی‌مناسبت ندیدم تا داستان ناموس را دوباره به اشتراک بگذارم: ناموس اول بار در سایت ایرون دات کام منتشر شد مرا در میان انگشتان کشیده‌اش گرفت و به ارتعاشی جنباندم. بی‌فایده بود. بر دستانم انگاری قفل زده شده بود. اگرچه گرمای دستانش تا هسته‌ی وجودم فروهشت و به نشئه‌ای گذرا مهمانم کرد ولی بازهم به هیچ حرکتی نینجامید. روی صندلی نشست و مرا روی زانوانش جای داد. همانطور که دست نوازش بر سرم می‌کشید، شاید به امید اینکه من بشنوم به بازگفت آنچه برای او مایه امید بود پرداخت. "حتی ساعت خوابیده هم دوبار در ۲۴ ساعت زمان درست را بازگو می‌کند". او نمی‌دانست که حقانیت آنچه می‌نمایانیم مهم نیست و نمی‌شود نقش متغیر اعتماد را در این میان نادیده گرفت. وقتی ساعت از کار افتاد، حتی وقتی که زمان را به درستی اعلام می‌نماید، عدم اعتماد دیگران مانع از پذیرش آنچه به عنوان زمان درست اعلام شده، می‌شود. خطای محاسبه. گفته بود مرا به پدر برنگردانید ولی برگرداندند. دو سوی مجادله: اعتماد و عدم اعتماد به نگهبانی که باید بشود به او اعتماد کرد. خون. فوران خون. فریاد. زجه‌های ملتمسانه. التماس‌های اشکناک. ناسزا. ناسزاهایی که به وقاحت و صراحت فضا را به تسخیر در میاورد. چنانچه گویی حق پدرانه‌ی اوست که آنها را با فریاد بر گوش دختر بکوبد و شایسته‌ی دختر که همانها را بشنود. گیره فلزی کمربند چه می‌دراند. پوست و گوشت و رگ و پی را می‌دراند. حرکت بی‌اراده و برتر از توان دستها. برخی در پی فشار بر گلو و برخی به دنبال وا رهانیدن گردن از فشار. ضربات تیغه‌ی چاقو خشمناک و بی‌وقفه. کجا بودند اهل این خانه‌؟ چرا هیچ کس به طغیان خوی اهریمنانه‌ی پدر که مجال پدیدار شدن پیدا کرده اعتراض نمی‌کرد، حتی اگر نمی‌توانستند کاری کند باز حضوی می‌توانست جان‌بخش باشد، اما نبود. گمانی در امتداد بد گمانی ممتد. پریشانی روح و جسم، لکه‌های خون. فریادهای آلوده به تهدید و .تشر. دستها، دستهای سنگین و پر از نفرت که در پس فرافکنی حقارت و پلشتی خود شهوت انتقام می‌جستند. مردی با مو و ریش کاملا سفید شده و زنی با سن و سالی مشابه از پله‌ها بالا میامدند. آن موقع جایم هنوز روی میز کنار در اتاق پذیرایی بود و هر آمد و رفتی را به خوبی در نظاره داشتم. مرد گفت یادت نرود فعلا چیزی نمی‌گوییم. زود است. بگذار کمی بیشتر اسمش بد در رود. آنوقت تا لب تر کنیم خود دخترشان را دو دستی تقدیم می‌کنند. دیگر دیر شده. کسانی که باید میشد تا از هر جور و دردی به آنها پناه برد جان دخترک را اینگونه در طبق اخلاص گذاشته و به پدری خون‌آشام هدیه دادند. خطای محاسبه آنها هم این بود که پدر را پدر انگاشتند. چه کسی آب به آسیاب جهل می‌ریزد؟ چه کسی جز دخترکان سرزمینمان بهای نگاه تحقیرکننده، کینه جو و تا خرخره به سیاهی آلوده را می‌پردازد؟ خفگی خفگی. گاه که مجال دهنک زدن یا نفسکی بود حتی در فضای بسته‌ی خانه‌ی اشباع شده از دود سیگار پدر و برادر، نفس‌های گسسته و پاره و پاره، تند تند و سطحی به تعجیل بلعیده می‌شدند. رگه های سرخ رد انگشتان بر گلو، ‌باند پرواز چشمان از کاسه گریخته بود که وقتی که دانه‌های عرق بر پیشانی برادر با خون خواهر می‌آمیخت و حکمی که در محکمه‌ی خلوت خانه اعلام شده بود اجرا می‌شد، جان را به برخاستن می‌خواند. پیش از اینکه دستان پدر او را خفه کند، پیش از اینکه چاقوی برادر او را تکه تکه کند، مدتها پیش از فشار طناب دار بر گلوگاهش حرف‌ها و نگاه‌های دیگران او را کشته بود. آنها که به حبس ابد در زندگی با همتایی که خود در انتخاب آن سهمی نداشتند محکوم بودند، حال می‌خواستند از پس همهِ‌ی بدبخت‌ها انتخاب کنند اگرچه نه برای خود که برای بچه‌هایشان و اینگونه از زندگی انتقام می‌گرفتند. آنها همه و همه در کشتن دخترک نقش داشتند. دخترک پلک‌ها را روی‌هم فشرد تا آخرین چیزی که می‌بیند تجلی جهل و جنون در دستان پدر و در چشمان برادر نباشد. با چشمان بسته شاید نور را باز می‌یافت. حواس او می‌رفت تا به اغوا فراخوانده شوند. عقب نشینی. عقب نشینی زندگانی. زمان ان بود که رود زندگی جوشان روحی آزاده به مردابی فرو ریزد. انگشتان پدر تا مدتها بعد از اینکه گلوی دختر را وارهانید هنوز سخت و چنگ مانده بود. پشت خمیده‌ که نشانه‌ی تاسف آنی پدر بود، به سرجنباندنی پایان یافت. برادر سر فروهشته‌ی پدر را به افتخار در آغوش گرفت تا مگر پشیمانی لحظه‌ای او را مهار کند. وحشت از محرمان. محرمان دژخیم. نبض دختر زیر فشار انگشتان پدر خاموش شده بود. پدر گلوی دختر را وارهانید. برادر تا نقش فعال خود را از سر واگرداند با گفتن "حقش بود" و پس از پرتاب آب دهان بر پیکر بی‌جان دخترک، بی‌اعتنا رد شد. دستان دختر که تا دقایقی پیش عجولانه و بیهوده بالا و پایین می‌جهیدند اکنون لمس شده و بی‌جان بر کنارش افتاده بودند. درست مثل دستان من، عقربه‌هایی که اینک در ساعتی که خود نمی‌دانم چیست خاموش مانده و اکنون چون شیونی در هجوم تکراری تهدیدها و فحاشی‌ها می‌رفت تا در کنار دختر به ابدیت بپیوندد.

Today I had my first day off since the beginning of October. It was like a dream to be able to have a drink with a friend and chill out for a whole daaaaay. Things couldn't be better. امروز اولین روز مرخصی بعد تقریبا چهار ماه کار بی‌وقفه تمام مدت بود. لذتی وصف‌ناپذیر در دقیقه به دقیقه امروز کشف کردم که نگو و نپرس.

Applicants should be working, or planning to work, on a specific project, with the aim of publication or production Applications close at 11am on Wednesday 28 February 2024.

https://www.friendsofshahnameh.com/post/نام-نویسی-رایگان-فرزندان-در-برنامه-فرهنگی-هایده-و-نژاد-1 Friends of Shahnameh is proud to announce that they are contributing to the Sheba Arts H&N project. The H&N Project has now been launched on the project's own social media. You can follow these at @HaidehAndNejad on Instagram and Twitter. To register your child free for the Haideh & Nejad Project workshops with Sheba Arts click here or go to the link below. https://docs.google.com/.../1QNIBNjv8IE5245Ukm9lT.../prefill ثبت‌نام رایگان آغاز شده. این فرصت طلایی را از دست ندهید. دوستان شاهنامه با افتخار همکاری خود را با گروه هنری شیبا برای پروژه هایده و نژاد اعلام می‌نماید. گامی در جهت آشنایی نسل جدید با فرهنگ و تاریخ ایران. پروژه هایده و نژاد را به دوستان خود بخصوص خانواده‌ها با فرزندان 8 تا 13 ساله معرفی نمایید. هدف این پروژه، ترویج میراث هنری هایده و نژاد احمد زاده و معرفی آنها به مخاطبان ایرانی و خارجی است. از طریق یک دوره هشت ماهه کلاس های هنری برای کودکان هشت تا سیزده ساله، داستان‌های فولکلوریک و حماسی ایران به زبان‌های مختلف از جمله فارسی، گیلیک و کردی به کودکان آموزش داده می‌شود. ثبت‌نام رایگان آغاز شده. این فرصت طلایی را از دست ندهید. هزینه رفت و آمد برای کودک و یک والد پرداخت می شود. برای ثبت نام رایگان فرزند / فرزندان خود اینجا کلیک کنید. https://www.friendsofshahnameh.com/post/نام-نویسی-رایگان-فرزندان-در-برنامه-فرهنگی-هایده-و-نژاد-1

Just watched Belfast, the story of a young family in Northern Ireland in 1969. The difficult decision the family had to make bears a striking resemblance to the predicaments that a lot of us are faced with today: To leave everything behind so you could begin living? Of course, the divisive factors are different in every society and in different eras. But the main underlying issue for most of the disputes and fighting are similar if not the same. We believe that we are different from others, We are better than Them! We are the only group that could see the reality and are wise enough to know what is right and what is not. Belfast is a good example to demonstrate this tendency as one of the most destructive human behaviour. Belfast remains the last film I watched in 2023, a year where a lot of people were killed without the so called "civilized" countries objection. In 2023 my homeland Iran carried on losing some of its bravest. Deep down I do not believe in brighter and kinder days in 2024, still I wish for a better year ahead. I do, as it is important to keep hope alive. Happy New Year and I hope humanity has a better year in 2024. فیلم بلفست آخرین فیلمی است که در سال 2023 ناظر آن بودم. فیلم ماجرای خانواده‌ای جوان در ایرلند شمالی را به نمایش می‌کشد که باید به ترک بلفست و مهاجرت فکر کند. امروزه هم ماندن یا رفتن مسئله خیلی‌هاست. ولی رفتن به کجا؟ ماندن در کجا؟ دنیای این سالها دنیایی است که تا بخواهی جا برای نامردمان و خانواده‌های آنان دارد ولی برای پذیرش انسان‌ بس تنگ وکوچک است. آیا سال آینده ماجرا فرق خواهد کرد؟ گمان نکنم. ولی برای زنده نگه داشتن امید هم شده باید بگویم امیدوارم. امیدوارم 2024 سالی بهتر برای انسانیت باشد. با بهترین آرزوها برای 2024

In the coming year, like the previous ones, I hope for an easier life for everyone, particularly those in authoritarianism or war zones. Wishing for the freedom of political prisoners. Thanks for visiting jarofwords.com during 2023. As ever, I rely on your help and support. Have a fantastic New Year. I hope to see you in 2024. Have a lovely New Year. سال 2023 هم رو به اتمام است. اگرچه مانند سال قبل از آن، زندگی در هاله‌‌ای از غم، بهت، غرور و افتخار سپری شد، هنوز هم به امید برابری، عدالت و شادی برای همه مردم روزگار می‌گذرانیم. امیدوارم سال 2024 سالی بهتر بخصوص برای ایران و مردم درگیر جنگ باشد. با آرزوی آزادی زندانیان سیاسی. سپاس ویژه از دوستانی که سال 2023 به سایت سبوی سخن سر زدند. مشتاقانه منتظر دیدار شما در سال جدید هستم. مرسی از حمایت شما کریسمس و سال جدید میلادی مبارک

What is going on in the world? Would killing innocent people is likely to be allowed to stop? It's enough! How many people should be killed How much blood should be spilt Crimes against humanity, would it ever stop? (از زبان افراسیاب در داستان دوازده‌رخ) جفا پیشه گشتم از این پس به جنگ نجویم به خون ریختن بر درنگ در همان داستان اززبان کیخسرو می‌خوانیم نگر تا نیازی به بیداد دست نگردانی ایوان آباد پست کسی کو به جنگت نبندد میان چنان ساز کش از تو ناید زیان قسمت اول زبان حال خیلی از دول دنیاست، اما پند قسمت دوم را کسی به کار نمی‌بندد.

In association with the Bookends and Beginnings: Stories from our collections by our volunteers exhibition at the Portico Library, Manchester This was my last job at the Portico library before leaving to start my new full-time job. The exhibition is currently on and will last till 25th January 2024. Do not miss the chance to see the exhibition. Persia as It Is (second edition), Sir. C. J. Wills (1887), Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington Crown buildings, London. The author, Sir. C. J. Wills lived in Iran, known as Persia then, for 15 years (1866-1881). The array of reviews at the beginning of the book, e.g., “Accurate with nothing concealed, nothing glossed over”, was impressing, to say the least. Like most books written during the 19th century, when the use of offensive language and racial commentary was acceptable and slavery was a legal trade, Persia as It Is, is not short of offensive words and phrases. At the same time, the colonial approach, the top-down look throughout the book is another characteristic that makes reading the book uncomfortable at places. Overall an interesting read with details of how life was for an ordinary person living in Iran. The author made many unfair judgments. “All Persians are awful lairs.” (p 128) “With semi-civilized or barbarous nations, a bribe is a cheaper expedient than an expedition.” (p 157) Nearly all Persians are smokers.” (p 202) “Persians are thrifty people.” (p 205) “The number of Englishmen in Persia is very limited. The natural jealousy of the Oriental is shown in the fact that the Shah especially restricted the staff of the English Government Telegraph Department to the actual number required to work the line.” (p 301) “A Persian, from the king to the merest of his subjects, is ever open to a bribe, and English Ministers, whatever they may have been able to do in what they may have been able to do in what is looked on by the Persians as the good old times, can now neither bribe nor intimidate." (p 33) Despite, the colonial language apparent in the examples above, there is no shortage of reasons not to carry on reading the book. However, with its detailed description of people and events, despite the shortcomings, the book is a page turner. C. J. Wills describes Persia as "a playground almost untrodden by the tourist's foot: a land where hotels are not - or where, at any rate there is but one; a land where Eastern caravanserai opens its hospitable doors, to everyone, rich or poor; a land one can travel as prince, or "pad the hoof," and live decently on nine pence a day … As for climate, perfection.” (p 1-2) “Here peace reigns, the roads are safe, crimes of violence are unknown, the people are timid and tranquil.” (p 2) “Here is the place for the dreamer of dreams and the smoke of pipes. For the Persian water-pipe or hubble-bubble is the poetry of smoking, and a pound of the best Shiraz tobacco costs sixpence.” (p 3) The range of topics discussed in the book is impressive. Sir Wills describes each and every topic both good and bad to the best of his knowledge, but he is clearly biased. The description of topics is very detailed and informative, for example inside of an art studio, the way the artist tends to sit and the tools used. The book is also interesting for inclusion of facts, e.g., the rate of exchange and the price of items, wages and the cost of necessities for an army such as horse and uniform. Putting the colonial approach and the tendency to judge aside, the book contains useful information and interesting observations, particularly in terms of the appearance of men and women (the way that they appear in the society, their clothes indoor and outdoor); how men display pencases to flaunt their wealth, how poetry in used in everyday conversations; Persian carpets and the use of colours that improve by the toning influence of age (p116); Persian erroneous system of perspective in art (p 116) their weakness in producing landscape and producing the nude (p 117); The principle martyred saints in the Persian calendars (p 125); the usual diet (p 143); wine consumption (p 153); prisons and types of punishments for different crimes (p 183); bastinadoing (191); the story-tellers trade (p198); use of tobacco (p202); theatre (p 211); Taziyah (a religious ceremony) (p 216) and burial and the mourning ceremonies (p 247 & 248). The prices of a variety of items or services are reported which gives inside knowledge of how much travelling would have cost then. “(The traditional handmade shoes), Gheva costs 2s to 10s a pair.” (p 134) “A hot dinner of roast meat can be obtained for from one penny to three pence a head, for the price of a single skewer of the steaming delicacy is but a half penny. Jars containing about half a pint of hot, strong, and savoury meat - soup are sold for a penny.” (p 143) “Seven pounds of cucumber may be often had for a half penny (p 144). 40 to 50 eggs for 9d (p145). [The letter d stood for Latin denarius. It was a small Roman coin, originally silver]. Wines from 3d to 6d per bottle (p 154). Old (about 3 years in bottle) Shiraz wine about 9d (p 156). The cost of tobacco four pence a pound (p 123). The wages of a clever artists are about one shilling and six pence a day (p 116). The daily wages of men working on opium trade varies from 2 to 5 Kerans (a Keran being 9d) (p 237). A toman is the name given to ten pieces of silver, value 10d each (p 287). A serviceable horse is to be had for a £10 note, and where feed never exceeds sixpence a day (p 1 -2). An original painting in oil, 24 inches by 16 on papier mâché, in 1880 was 7 shillings and 6 pence. (p 118) Some observation worthy of notice "In Persia everything is sold - governorships, judgeships, religious office, places of every kind, official protection, all the great officials are as corrupt as Bacon, but they are not detected, or if detected, know how to buy safety." (P 13) "The king's first visit to Europe tended for the time to civilize him, but before a year had expired, he wanted to execute his Prime Minister. He had lightened his palace with gas, and even started the electric light there: but when he did not pay the salary of the genital French man who provided that light, all was dark once more. In fact, the Shah was introduced to the high-handed proceedings of gas companies in Europe. After that the French man got paid and the supply has been steady since. The king now returns salute, as a role: before his visits to Europe, he did not. He now looks at the pictures in the illustrated journals with pleasure. But when he last crossed the Caspian he slept on the floor of the ladies' cabin under the table, and on the table, he put his boots." (p 14 - 15) "Many of the Persian middle-class women are highly educated, according to Oriental ideas. They read and often write poetry; the sing and play, as a rule, well, and are mistresses of all the arts of plain and fancy needlework; cooking is second nature to them; pastry-making and confectionary are among their pleasures. The accomplishments of the poor ones are naturally of a more useful kind. They are good cook and bread bakers; they make clothes of the entire household; they often are able to add largely to the daily income by their knowledge of some business or trade; and none of them are idle." (p 67) "Three ladies enter the room. Their feet and legs are bare to the knee; for they have cast off their shoes at the door but all the rest of them is shrouded in a large sheet of dark blue silk, the outer veil of the Persian lady." (p 84) "His (the male Iranian aristocracy) turban of the richest Cashmerian shawl; his gridle of the same day, into which were thrust his be-jewelled poignard his elaborately-painted pencase, his sable-lined and trimmed coast of shawl, and his gold-embraided rest of azure satin; all tending to set off the fair and aristocratic old face with its long jetty beard and bushy black eyebrows." (P 97) “In Persia a man is never seen bareheaded.” (p 132) “Shabkola of quilted chintz which is often worn by the natives of Persia in the house, and by Ispahani (inhabitants of Ispahan) and jews habitually.” (p 135) "A venerable-looking old man is hardly ever seen. In fact, not to dye the hair is looking upon as a sign of mourning." (p 97) “To preserve them from moth, shawls in the East are always kept in boxes of cypress wood.” (p 247) "Every Persian interlards his conversation with scraps and snatches from the national poets, more or less appositely introduced, and even the most illiterate peasant can appreciate the rhythm, rhyme and jingle of the Persian bards." (p 99) The real purpose Sir Wills is supposed to be working as a medical doctor, but in this book at least, there is no sign of him acting as a medical doctor. He only visits one woman with stomach pain, but it turns out to be an excuse to see the European Doctor. Beyond the outlook of a tourist being interested in meticulous details of local customs, by chapter 20 we get to see a glimpse of Sir. Wills real mission in Persia (Iran): - “The country is the finest recruiting ground in Asia. … Persian soldier is brave, active and hardy ... upon dry bread, with an occasional bit of cheese or a basin of curds, the Persian will think nothing of marching his 30 miles a day for days in succession .... as for the cavalry, as irregulars they are probably the finest in the world. No rocky pass is too deep, no march too long.” (p 177) - “Persia is a wall, though only a mud well, which stands as a barrier between us and Russia. We are allowing the barrier to fall without an effort. We are handing over to Russia or Russian influence hordes by brave and hardy soldiers who would overrun India as their ancestors have done before them. A very little money spent in Persia judiciously goes a long way; and poorly managed, Persia might have been of enormous service to us by harassing the Russian advance.” (p 178) - “Persia is well worth consideration either as the tool of Russia or as the well-paid mercenary of England.” (p 178) - “Sir Charles Macgregor remarks of the cavalry that “if not the best light horsemen in the world, they are the cheapest".” (p 179) - “His (Persian soldier) uniform of dyed cotton stuff, costs at first hand less than a pound. His pay of less than £3 a year, if it only reached him, he would be well satisfied with.” (p180) - “Such being the "raw material" in Persia, are we wise in abandoning the country to the influence of Russia?” (p181) - “Persia as a power, is perhaps quantité-négligeable; but she will flourish to the highest bides hordes of hardly mercenaries half-trained, it is true, but only wanting intelligent leadership and regular pay to be transformed from their present condition, which is that of an ill-disciplined and hunger rabble into a formidable army. Is it not possible that the descendants of the men who marched to Delhi under Nadir-Shah may yet be dangerous to us? Is it quitte prudent to permit Russian officers to drill, equip, and command three regiments of so called Persian Cossaks under the very nose of our minister at Tehran?” (p181-182) - “There was a time - a time not very long distant when we could make our wishes commands to most oriental potentates. Unfortunately, that time has gone by. In Persia we are now principally known as buyers of opium and sellers of McCabe's watches, Roger's cutlery, and prints and shirting. The Persians now say that menses from England would be more idle words. Their expressive term pooch-empty and worthless - is always applied by them to our timid foreign policy - we have, however, the consolation of remembering that though Persia may no longer be frightened, yet she may always be bought.” (p 182) - “In 1871 the value of export of Opium from Persia was 696,000 Rupees. In 1881 it had increased to 8,470,000 Rupees, and the increase has been steady each year – Probably this increase will continue, and ultimately Indian opium will find a rival, ad our revenue in India will be thus much reduced.” (p 238) - "Sir Ronald Thompson in nearly sixty years of age, his mild and gentle manner is but the velvet glove to the hand of iron." (p 330) "In dealing with Wily and Semi-civilised Persian we must remember that his ways are not our ways and his modes of thought, though inexplicable to the ordinary diplomatic Briton, are perfectly intelligible to the "local diplomatic", if, like Sir Ronald Thompson he retains his pristine energy, and remains mentally unenervated by a long Eastern experience." (p 33) "Sir Ronald Thomson having absolutely no enemies, and he is a valued friend, contemporary, and adviser of the shah himself, and accompanied his majesty on his first visit to Europe." (p 33) "Such an experienced "local diplomatist" as Sir Ronald Thomson is far more likely to be useful to his government that a man who has never been in the East, who has no sympathies and no experience, and who goes to his post as to exile ... ignorant alike of the language, people and politics of Persia, and possibly suffering from acute Persophilia." (p 33) "This habit (bob-cherry play), the fear of Russia, and the personal affection and respect of the Shah for Sir Ronald Thompson, together with the yearly income the king derives from the telegraph, are the only toleration in Persia." (p 33) Whether you agree or disagree in principle, you cannot deny the role of spies in shaping the world today. Those who travelled to different countries, under false pretence to gather information and advice their governments. People like Sir. Wills? Summary: Persi as It Is, is not short of offensive language, tendency to judge and colonial approach. Despite these, with the detailed observations and descriptions, the book is a page turner. The range of topics discussed in the book is impressive. Persia as It Is makes it possible to know the rate of exchange and the price of items and average wages for a few occupations 130 years ago. Beyond the outlook of a tourist being interested in meticulous details of local customs, by chapter 20 we get to see a glimpse of Sir. Wills real mission in Persia (Iran): - “The country is the finest recruiting ground in Asia.” - "The value of export of opium from Persia had increased … Ultimately Indian opium will find a rival, and our revenue in India will be thus much reduced.” Description for the drawing from a section of the book. This is to be displayed with the image at the exhibition (see p201 of the book. Click here for the PDF copy of the book): The drawing shows a Dervish. "The ordinary meaning of the word "Dervish" is religious mendicant. In Persia Dervishes are certainly mendicants; but their religion doesn't go much beyond pious ejaculations and the cursing of the infidel. The panther or leopard skin hanging across his shoulder, is his effective mantle by day, his bed or coverlet by night. The calabash - generally an elaborately - carved, vessel, made from a single Indian nut. this will hold several pints, hangs from the Dervish's girdle by brass chain: it is his wallet, drinking vessel, and alms-box all combined."

مسجد مکی در زاهدان ورود زنان با پوشش انتخابی را آزاد اعلام کرد. خبر واقعیت دارد یا نه را نمی‌دانم. ولی انسان را به فکر وامی‌دارد ...؟ Women are now allowed to entre Maki Mosque at Zahedan without having to cover themselves the way that is dictated by the government. Truth or Fake؟ I don't know, but it makes you think.