media

  • Life and death in Iran’s prisons

    Life and death in Iran’s prisons

    Article from Index on Censorship – This article sheds light on the distressing situation of Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner and prominent human rights activist, who has been unjustly held in Tehran’s Evin prison since September 2022. Despite her significant contributions to the fight against the oppression of women in Iran and…

  • Litteratur for inkludering

    Litteratur for inkludering

    On March 20, 2018, a literary event featuring the poetry of Fatemeh Ekhtesari took place. The theme of the event, organized by “Litteratur for inkludering” (Literature for Inclusion), centred around feminism for the month of March. Fatemeh Ekhtesari, an Iranian poet and activist, had gained notoriety for her activism and faced legal consequences. In 2015,…

  • Beyond Border – Where are you, son?

    Beyond Border – Where are you, son?

    If you’re interested in gaining a deeper understanding of freedom of expression as a fundamental human right, and particularly how authors navigate challenges like attacks from various quarters, the anthology “Whispers and Screams” is a compelling read. Published by the Literature House Foundation, this collection features six diverse texts encompassing prose, poetry, essays, and fiction.…

  • Klassekampen Article

    Klassekampen Article

    “Frihetens tegn” translates to “Sign of Freedom” in English. Read the article by Dag Eivind Undheim Larsen about the Iranian Poet and Campaigner Fatemeh Ekhtesari.

  • Arendal Week 2023

    Arendal Week 2023

    This article describes a collaborative event during the Arendal Week in Norway, where the Norwegian Composers Association, Altinget, and the Rafto Foundation joined forces for a conversation on the role of politics in conflicts, wars, and encounters with totalitarian regimes. The discussion revolves around whether musicians, artists, media, and culture can play a crucial role…

  • Authorship as a Guiding Principle in Life

    Authorship as a Guiding Principle in Life

    Fatemeh Ekhtesari, an Iranian poet persecuted for her feminist work, fled to Norway after being sentenced to prison and lashes. Despite harrowing censorship and harassment, she persisted in her craft. Supported by ICORN, Ekhtesari remains hopeful for Iran’s future and advocates for global support for Iranian artists, refusing to be defined by her exilic status.

  • Skrev om synd, sex og utroskap

    Skrev om synd, sex og utroskap

    60 years after her death, Iranian poet Forugh Farrokhzad continues to inspire, especially Iranian women. Renowned for her defiant life and poetry on sin and sexuality, Farrokhzad challenged Persian literary norms. Despite posthumous censorship following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, her legacy lives on, empowering activists and poets like Fatemeh Ekhtesari, and fueling the fight for…

  • 2022: The best-selling poetry collections

    2022: The best-selling poetry collections

    The Norwegian poetry scene flourished in 2022, with Brynjulf Jung Tjønn leading sales amidst thematic diversity covering racism, love, and camaraderie. Victoria Dalsberget and Trygve Skaug maintained notable presence, while Carl Frode Tiller’s criticized civilization and Sarah Zahid depicted immigrant life, both receiving acclaim. Seasoned poet Helge Torvund and 60-year-old Gro Dahle also secured praise,…