Structure of Oral History Weekly

Abolfazl Hassanabadi
Translated by: Fazel Shirzad

2025-8-26

Oral history has become one of the most important fields of historical study over the past two decades. Various institutions and organizations, including non-governmental groups and individuals, have actively contributed to its development. Publishing 689 weekly issues focused on specialized topics in history—particularly war history—by the Arts Center is no small feat. This achievement would not have been possible without the compassion, interest, support, and collaboration of the stakeholders and supporters of the electronic Oral History weekly.

Today, as a stakeholder and historian of oral history, I reflect on the history of oral history in Iran and the content published in this weekly. Undoubtedly, it has been the most vital tool for documenting oral history activities since its inception. Anyone wishing to study the influential oral history trends of the 2010s and early 2020s will find this weekly indispensable.

The most important aspects highlighting the significance of this weekly include:

• The opportunity to propose new topics in oral history through its editorials.
• Reporting on a wide range of oral history activities in Iran, from conferences and meetings to statistics and the functioning of oral history institutions.
• Providing a platform for novice oral historians to present their views.
• Publishing the experiences of oral history specialists on various subjects.
• Filling the gap left by the absence of a specialized oral history magazine in the 2010s by publishing useful materials and articles.
• Introducing international approaches to oral history through translated articles and materials.
• Reviewing and introducing oral history books, especially those focusing on war oral history.
• Presenting oral history projects and plans from around the world.
• Offering critical and analytical perspectives on oral history activities in Iran.
• Documenting the extracurricular activities of oral historians in cyberspace.
• Translating the weekly into English, making it the most important source reporting on Iranian oral history activities abroad.

A comprehensive review of the weekly’s overall activities shows that it has largely remained true to its original structure and mission. While this consistency has helped maintain its foundation and identity, it is essential to adapt and update its content design and presentation format to meet current needs and developments. Additionally, it is recommended that the specialized content be categorized and published in separate or thematic issues to enhance accessibility and focus.