HAIRAN - Poems of Hair and Freedom by Iranian Women

‘Hairan is a unique, inspiring, deeply disturbing anthology of women’s furious courage and strength... A rich, illuminating volume speaking to the history of women’s protest in Iran and the power of poetry in dark times.’ - Ruth Padel

HAIRAN is a newly collected anthology of 76 poems by 76 women poets of all ages and from all regions of Iran.

Some poets are in Pr*son, some in hiding, some in exile.

Many wrote in response to the attack on Iranian women’s life and liberty that began with the death of Mahsa Amini in Tehran in September 2022: arrested and killed in police custody for not covering enough of her hair in public.

The poems are accompanied by photos of the backs of a few of the poets' heads, uncovered.

The anthology is edited by an international group of Iranian academics and poets in exile, with an extensive introduction tracing the 1000 year history of poetry by Iranian women.

The Farsi-English translation was led by Ali Sobati and Daoud Sarhandi Williams. Alongside Sobati and Sarhandi-Williams, HAIRAN was edited by Sepideh Jodeyri, Sepideh Kouti, Anahita Rezaei, Abbas Shokri and Anna Krasnowolska.

Sepideh Jodeyri (Iran, 1976) is an award-winning poet and translator living in Washington, DC, USA. She is the author of eleven books, and was a selected poet of The Dangerous Women project at the University of Edinburgh. She worked with both Abbas Shokri and Ali Sobati in the development of this book.

Daoud Sarhandi-Williams, lead editor of the collection, will be travelling from Barcelona to attend the event and will be joined via zoom by Ali Sobati and Sepideh Jodeyri. Ali will be discussing the challenges of the translation and Sepideh, joining from Washington, will speak on the position and role of female poets in Iran.

'And do not relinquish the search

For that limitless light

So that in the street, stars

Morph into comets'

Extract from 'This Place (...)

Come join us for an evening filled with powerful poetry readings by Iranian women exploring themes of hair and freedom. This event will showcase the talent and creativity of these incredible poets, offering a unique insight into their experiences and perspectives.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton's Close, Edinburgh, United Kingdom