Intersectionality, Language, and the Challenges Faced by Non-Persian Women Activists in Iran

SoArtClub - May 18, 2018

Faranak Farid

Faranak Farid, a Turkish poet, translator, writer, and women's rights activist, is also one of the founding members of the One Million Signatures Campaign. She has been repeatedly interrogated and reprimanded for her cultural and social activities and was once arrested and pursued legally. Born in 1961 in Tabriz, her latest work involves contributing to the translation of a collection of articles by Kimberly Crenshaw and others on the topic of intersectionality. This book was published in late 2017 by Shiraze Publishing. SoArtClub interviewed her about the challenges faced by non-Persian artist-activists. It is important to note that this interview was conducted in Turkish, and in the Persian translation and condensation, some of the nuances of the language and the sweetness of the conversation have been lost.

Statement by Azerbaijani Cultural and Social Activists and Their Supporters Protesting the Arrest of Faranak Farid

October 09, 2011

Faranak Farid

Faranak Farid—a poet, translator, writer, and advocate for women’s rights—was arrested in Tabriz on 3 September 2011, as the Azerbaijani people’s civil protests against the government’s ill-conceived policies, which had contributed to the drying up of Lake Urmia, were met with severe repression.

Even before being known as an activist in the Azerbaijani women’s movement, she was an eloquent speaker who expressed her innermost feelings in rhythmic language, and a poet known by the pen name İpək (“Silk”), possessing a spirit as delicate and precious as silk.

Faranak Farid is a writer who, through her writing and at times through her eloquent speech, brought the cultural and social suffering and deprivation experienced by Azerbaijani women to public attention. What justification, then, can there be for arresting a woman whose every written and spoken work has been published with official authorization?

Iran: Woman activist beaten severely in detention, Faranak Farid

September 13, 2011 - Index Number: MDE 13/078/2011

Faranak Farid

Faranak Farid was arrested on 3 September in Tabriz, north-west Iran, during demonstrations over the drying of Lake Urmia, which is situated between the Iranian provinces of East and West Azerbaijan. She is reported to have been tortured and otherwise ill-treated in detention.

Ethnic and Gender Discrimination in Women’s Rights Movements in Iran

Faranak Farid

Faranak Farid

Where are you from? 

While studying English in middle school, this question seemed exciting. It made me imagine myself abroad and answer it proudly. But, this innocent imagination was shattered. Yes, I grew up as a woman facing the reality of much discrimination. Discriminations that kill you & re-kill you, shape you & reshape you, frame you & reframe you to the point that you don’t know who you are.

"The Tabriz I Didn’t Know" / A Review of "Two Steps This Side of the Line" by Ahmad Pouri

 By: Faranak Farid – Feminist School – February 3, 2010

Two Steps This Side of the Line by Ahmad Pouri

Translation of poetry is like walking on a tightrope. You have to be enough of a poet to embody the original poet and enough of a translator not to disrupt the poet’s work. Sometimes, you become so immersed in this task that you tear through the fabric of time and rush to meet the poet, even if only in the realm of imagination! The border between dream and reality becomes blurred.

Misogyny, Democracy?!

 Faranak Farid – Feminist School – September 1, 2009

Faranak Farid

A man and a woman are fighting in the street, a crowd gathers, but no one intervenes. After the fight calms down a little, when some people realize the situation, they say, “We thought you were husband and wife; otherwise, we would have intervened!”

Faranak Farid's Speech on Women's Demands in Tabriz

Report: Negar Aslani - Feminist School - June 9, 2009

Faranak Farid

Faranak Farid: Joining the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women Was One of the Resolutions of the Azerbaijan Women's Congress in 2004

On Sunday, June 7th, a speech by Faranak Farid, an Azerbaijani women’s rights activist and member of the Women’s Movement Convergence, was held in Tabriz at the invitation of the student committee of Mr. Karroubi.

This lecture, which was attended by students, women from various social classes, and political activists, aimed to present women's demands and to bring unity within the women's movement to voice their requests to the future president of Iran.

March 8th: International Women's Day and Azerbaijani Women

 Faranak Farid - March 18, 2008

On the occasion of International Women's Day, March 8th, various events and celebrations were held this year, focusing on the experiences and activism of Azerbaijani women. From marches and panel discussions in Tabriz and Urmia to international gatherings in California and Sweden, these events highlighted the intersection of gender, ethnicity, and nationality.

Farank Farid: “I Drowned the Language I Was Born Into”

Leila Sehat in conversation with Farank Farid.

 Leila Sehat - Saturday, March 1, 2008

هانسی آنا دوغدوغون بوغار؟
آما من بوغدوم
دوغدوغوم دیلی!

“Which mother would drown what she herself gave birth to?
But I have drowned the language I was born into!”

I first encountered her in the university library while reading the Turkish translation of one of her poems originally written in English. Though I no longer remember any of the poem’s exact words, I still remember how close, warm, and fluid they felt that day. Even after many years, Farank Farid remains familiar to me through that same sweet memory of her poetry.

Farank Farid—poet and translator of English literature, born in 1961 in Tabriz, activist in women’s rights, editor of women’s issues in the now-banned monthly magazine Dilmaj, winner of the first Northwestern Press Festival in the Turkish poetry category, among other distinctions—this is the usual brief introduction to her. But when you sit down with her and let her speak for herself…

From Tabriz on International Women's Day

Faranak Farid - March 8, 2007

Faranak Farid

This year, International Women's Day is observed amid numerous crises in the country. Even the smallest desires of the people are being trampled upon; the demands of students, teachers, and workers are ignored, and the natural rights of ethnic groups and women are being denied. As we can see, all events related to women’s issues are preemptively suppressed these days. Our women are even willing to end up in prison for their demands. Today, it is no longer enough to just celebrate Women's Day as a formality. Azerbaijani women, like all women, must approach our issues more profoundly. As people living in this society, we must investigate our problems properly, face all difficulties, and prove ourselves multifaceted on this path.