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Reza H. Akbari

@rezahakbari

Oct 28

Thread: A beautiful dedication to #NikaShakarami by a street performer in #Iran. She asks passerby to sing along to her version of the song performed by Nika before she was killed. The original song is from a 1968 film called The Sultan of Hearts. 1/4 #IranProtests2022

The performer has re-written the original lyrics as an ode to Nika. The new words appear on a piece of paper across the sidewalk. The sign next to her reads, "Don't laugh at me, guys!" This is a reference to what Nika said out of shyness before she sang for her friends. 2/4 #Iran

I have not done justice, but here's my attempt at translating the new words:

The beautiful Nika, you with this song
Targeted our hearts
You will sprout from the debts of this land
To infinity
Now that we're far away from you
We're full of hopes & commotion
3/4 #Iran

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Reza H. Akbari

@rezahakbari

Oct 23

Thread: Amid #IranProtests2022, Tehran University organized an emergency seminar for the institution's professors to discuss the reasons behind the unrest & potential ways out of the current crisis. I'll translate portions of sociologist Taghi Azadarmaki's statements: 1/10 #Iran

"It’s inappropriate to say that we're not knowledgeable, so we have to find interdisciplinary expertise. As a sociologist, I know what’s going on in this country and can provide a sociological analysis of the issue." 2/10 #Iran #IranProtests2022

"Since you don’t want to officially acknowledge my scholarship & my understanding, you say we need interdisciplinary knowledge. When psychologist speaks, you say [we need] interdisciplinary knowledge. The economist talks, you say [we need] interdisciplinary knowledge." 3/10 #Iran

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Reza H. Akbari

@rezahakbari

Oct 1, 2021

A fun #Friday thread for Iranian millennials, those interested in childhood games, & street soccer. This is a plastic ball or "toop pelastiki." The object is a source of great joy for kids growing up in #Iran during the 1980s. 1/10

These plastic balls were cheap and ubiquitously available at almost all convenience stores across the country. The kids could easily buy them with their pocket money and set up small games of street soccer, which provided them with countless hours of entertainment. 2/10 #Iran

The balls were, however, low quality and light in weight. So, kicking them a bit too hard would result in them flying all over the place. They could not withstand the hazards of street life either. The smallest prick would ruin them. They'd go flat right away. 3/10 #Iran

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Reza H. Akbari

@rezahakbari

Jan 12, 2020

Thread: According to some analysts, certain portions of the Iranian population are "more Iranian" than others. They argue that Iranians who participated in #Soleimani's funeral processions were forced to do so & clearly do not represent all of #Iran. #IranProtests2020 1/6

Now, Iranians who are protesting the downing of Ukrainian plan, are the "real voice" of the entire nation & represent all of the country. It seems that they are just cherry-picking events that support whatever preconceived notions are held about #Iran. 2/6

Any analyst from any percussion can easily find empirical evidence for their arguments by pointing to a gathering or an official statement. That's because #Iran is a diverse nation of over 80 million people with an intricate bureaucracy. They are seldom unified on any issue. 3/6

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Reza H. Akbari

@rezahakbari

Jan 5, 2020

Thread: Amid #Soleimani's death, #Iran analysts are discussing the concept of nationalism especially within the context of sovereignty as a unifying force. Some historical context is needed to fully appreciate how nationalism & borders are interwoven w/ the Iranian identity. 1/13

Since the late 19th Century, territory has been a source of Iranian identity. As a cultural construct, land & exact boundaries are protected by both the state & Iranian intellectuals due to the fear of losing other sociopolitical & cultural products held within the borders. 2/13

Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet is one of the historians of #Iran who has done a great job in contextualizing the centrality of land & frontiers in Iranian nationalism & how disturbances to such constructed notions helped shape the country’s national identity. amazon.com/Frontier-Ficti… 3/13

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Reza H. Akbari

@rezahakbari

Jan 3, 2020

Iran's state TV has interrupted its regular programing & various channels are playing documentaries on Qasem Soleimani, interviews with mothers of martyrs, & sermons on the value of martyrdom. #Iran #Iraq #Soleimani

A mosque seems to be already full w/ mourners over Soleimani's death. Footage is being broadcasted by state TV's channel 1. A cleric is signing his praises & talking about how his martyrdom will unite the regime. They may have followed morning prayers w/ a memorial ceremony #Iran

An interesting approach by the cleric in charge of the sermon in honor of Soleimani's death. Every few minutes, he rattles off a long list of Iranians who have been killed in #Syria & #Iraq attempting to place Soleimani as just one soldier among many others. #Iran

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