Woman Life Freedom: The Art, Music, and Poetry of Recent Protests in Iran

Apart from its feminist edge and the extraordinary bravery of the youth, one prominent feature of Iran’s 2022-23 Woman Life Freedom uprising has been the prolific production and creative use of arts, music, and poetry as major means of political activism and protest. Since the tragic murder of the 22-year-old Mahsa Zhina Amini by the “morality police,” protesters have put together words, images, music, and movement to express their frustrations against the injustices of the state and to demand their rights to life, youthfulness, and freedom. Slogans, poetry, songs, video clips, paintings, graffiti, and dances are produced and performed by young artists and ordinary participants alike. In this online event, we will be in conversation with two distinguished experts in Iranian politics, culture, and arts to discuss how women have reclaimed their voices for life and freedom and to analyze the emerging characteristics of Iranian art of protest since the start of the uprisings. Panelists: Nadje Al-Ali, Brown University Nahid Siamdoust, University of Texas, Austin Pamela Karimi, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth