what does the support of artists weigh?

Thousands of Iranians again paid their respects to Mahsa Amini on October 26, 2022, as part of the ceremony of the 40th day of her death (a tradition in the Muslim world which marks the end of mourning) ignoring the threats of a repressive Islamic Republic. The 22-year-old Iranian Kurd died on September 16 after being violently arrested by the morality police who accused her of having put on her veil (hijab) incorrectly, the wearing of which has been compulsory since 1979.

Mahsa Amini sparked a historic revolt in Iran. Anonymous, civil society leaders, political leaders and Iranian or non-Iranian personalities, particularly from the cultural world, have publicly expressed their support for the protest movement which extends beyond the borders of Iran. Drawings, photos, videos, interviews, messages on social networks: the artists use all means to give voice to the revolt.

A protest echoing women of all ages – the youngest in the lead – who remove their headscarves to defy the mullahs by chanting “Woman, life, freedom”. The men have joined the movement and all over the country demonstrations are being organized despite the repression. According to a press release from the NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) published on October 25, 2022, it has already caused more than 200 deaths.

Recently during a giant demonstration in Berlin Germany, this is the image of a young woman in tears repeating the lyrics of the song Baraye, came the anthem of the Iranian revolt, which went around the world. Just like, before her, the piece of the Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour whose militant work earned him to be arrested.

“The support of famous people inside and outside the country is very helpful, entrusts to franceinfo a young activist, living in Iran, who requested anonymity. They allow our voice to reach ears around the world. Of course, Iranian celebrities are under pressure from the government. Like the author of the song Baraye who was sued after singing it and was detained for several days. Or like a famous Iranian photographer who had to flee after making a clip about these events”. He will eventually be arrested.

Howeverfamous people living abroad can speak more easily because it is more difficult to reach them”. The young woman thinks in particular of the Franco-Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani who“very influential on the web, made many people aware of the events in Iran”. Referring to her exile and the repression suffered by her compatriots in a tweet published on October 24, the actress promised to do “hear their voice” wherever she would go. Golshifteh Farahani has already appeared in several French and international media to alert public opinion to the situation in her country.

It is obvious that, like all recent revolutions, the impact of the mobilization of cultural personalities is very important on the basic movement which is led by young people very connected to the networks and who follow their activities assiduously.believes Tinouche Nazmjou, Franco-Iranian director and publisher. “The footballer Ali Karimi, actress Golshifteh Farahani, singer Sogand, director Bahman Ghobadi and writer Hamed Esmailioun, in the absence of any real political opposition organization both inside and outside the country, are considered the first leaders of this popular and spontaneous movement”.

Beyond mere spokespersons, artists are politically involved. Like the Iranian actress Nazanin Boniadi who met Jake Sullivan, the American national security adviser, in mid-October. She also posted on her social networks a guide, intended for the international community, on how to support the Iranian people. She suggests, among other things, demonstrating in front of Iranian embassies to denounce the impunity of the regime.

(Thanks to National Security Advisor @JakeSullivan46 for meeting with me and reaffirming that the US administration will stand unequivocally with the Iranian people as they risk everything for freedom)

This political action is desired by Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad, a fierce opponent of the Tehran regime, who has launched various movements for several years to encourage Iranian women to get rid of the veil. Using the video made by around fifty French actresses where they cut their hair in solidarity with Iranian women, the activist invited Western politicians who had worn the veil in Iran, to do the same.

Similarly, from the first hours of the protest movement, Masih Alinejad herself invited several Iranian artists to explain the situation in their country. Just as she regularly publishes the drawings of the Italian Gianluca Constantini (link in English), illustrator and human rights activist, who immortalizes those who have become the symbols of the Iranian revolt. Works that the author has made freely available to all.

(All the drawings made for the protests in Iran, in high definition, for free)

All in all, for the French sociologist and political scientist Mahnaz Shirali, author of Window on Iran (Les Pérégrines), the mobilization of stars, “actors and sportsmen, before it had an impact on the youth movement in Iran, is the consequence of the latter”. “By focusing on the mobilization of artists, she warnswe’re not going very far.” On the other hand, if it is considered as “the result of something bigger, then we can grasp its importance”. And Mahnaz Shirali to conclude : “Will it have a concrete influence on the youth movement? Of course, by drawing attention to their tragic fate”.

Sounding the alarm is what the French director of Armenian origin Robert Guédiguian has done again. After launching a fundraiser, he asked the mayor of Marseille, his city, to hoist the flag of Armenia above the town hall in support of the country again attacked by Azerbaijan.

Promoting political gestures in favor of Armenia, this time in the United States, is the raison d’être of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). It defines itself as a political organization whose objective is, among other things, to raise public awareness “in favor of a free, united and independent Armenia”. An organization that distinguished, a few weeks ago, Kim Kardashian (link in English)the Armenian-American influencer and entrepreneur for her work to raise awareness around the Armenian Genocide.

“Armenian-American celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Cher and others, can make a big impact by raising awareness of Armenian culture and heritage, the challenges facing our homeland, and the ways in which those who follow them can help change U.S. policy or gather humanitarian aid when needed”explains to franceinfo Elizabeth Chouldjian, director of communication of the ANCA.

For example, she says, “Ms. Kardashian’s social media posts in 2014, when al-Qaeda-affiliated rebels crossed the Turkish border and took over the historic Armenian town of Kessab, as well as her posts and those of many others during the war. by Azerbaijan and Turkey against Armenia and Artsakh [Haut-Karabak] in 2020 contributed to raising awareness of war crimes committed against innocent Armenian civilians. This at a time when the mainstream media was largely silent or fell prey to the multi-million dollar disinformation campaign waged by Azerbaijan and Turkey.”

The aura of cultural personalities is, without a doubt, a powerful medium. One more to account for the struggles of those who claim freedom.


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