[custom_adv] Hengameh Ghaziani: Actress, Activist, and Voice of Dissent Hengameh Ghaziani, born on May 20, 1960, is a distinguished Iranian actress, translator, singer, and activist who gained national acclaim for her powerful performances on screen and her courageous voice in the political and social landscape of modern Iran. Her journey from academia to the arts and finally to civil activism …

Nosratollah Mohtasham: The Monarch of Lalehzar Stage Nosratollah Mohtasham occupies a unique and illustrious position in the history of Iranian performing arts. As one of the most iconic actors and directors of  theatrical golden age, particularly during the 1930s and 1940s, Mohtasham shaped the identity of Lalehzar theater—a district often likened to Tehran’s Broadway. His commanding presence, remarkable portrayals of …

[custom_adv] Soltan Ali Mirza Qajar (15 Aban 1308 – 6 Khordad 1390 / November 16, 1929 – May 27, 2011) was not just a descendant of royalty, but also a distinguished economist and intellectual who led the Qajar clan for more than two decades in exile. His life encapsulates a story of displacement, identity, resilience, and cultural preservation. Born into …

    [custom_adv] Seyyed Mehdi Baligh: The Arsène Lupin of Iran In the shadowy underworld of 20th-century Iran, where deceit intertwined with charisma and audacity, few figures emerged as enigmatic and infamous as Seyyed Mehdi Baligh. Dubbed by some as the “Arsène Lupin of Iran”—a nod to the fictional French gentleman thief—Baligh rose to infamy not merely for the magnitude of …

Ghafour Jeddi Ardabili (1945–1980) was a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter pilot in the Air Force of Iran. He played a significant role in the early months of the Iraq War by halting the advancement of Iraqi tanks into western Iran. A statue in his honor is placed in Tehran and in his hometown of Ardabil.  Early Life and …

[custom_adv] The Opening of Iran’s 200th City and Village Store: A Symbol of Modernization and the Legacy of Amir Abbas Hoveida On May 4, 1975, a landmark event unfolded in the heart of Tehran at the intersection of Behboudi and Taj-Starkhan Street. In a modest yet symbolically potent ceremony, Iran inaugurated its 200th city and village store in the presence …

[custom_adv] The Wandering Idealists: Hippies in Iran and the Clash of Countercultures In the kaleidoscope of social revolutions that defined the 1960s and 1970s, the hippie movement stands out as both deeply impactful and inherently paradoxical. Rooted in the idealistic rejection of mainstream Western materialism and war, the movement sought spiritual enlightenment, communal living, artistic freedom, and often psychedelic experience. …

[custom_adv] Farah Pahlavi: Champion of Women’s Rights, Culture, and Welfare in Modern Iran Farah Pahlavi, the last Empress of Iran and wife of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, played a defining role in the country’s sociocultural transformation during the 1960s and 1970s. Beyond her ceremonial duties, she emerged as a powerful symbol of progress, particularly in the domains of women’s rights, …

A Tribute to Golab Adineh and Six Theater Luminaries at the 20th Iranian Theater Directors’ Night On the evening of Friday, May 12, 2023, the Iranian theater community gathered at the 20th Iranian Theater Directors’ Night to pay tribute to one of its most distinguished and enduring figures: Golab Adineh. Held in a packed venue filled with students, colleagues, fans, …

Tehran Magicians: A Window into the Supernatural Commerce of 1950s Iran In the bustling streets of mid-20th century Tehran, amid the political turbulence and modernization campaigns of Mohammad Reza Shah’s regime, a different world flourished in parallel — a world of mysticism, superstition, and arcane knowledge. On May 1, 1955, the widely-read Tehran Muswar magazine, in issue number 608, published …