Simin Daneshvar memorial ceremony held

With the presence of Culture Minister

The memorial ceremony of late Simin Daneshvar was held on Monday evening (March 12) at Aljavad Mosque with the presence of Culture Minister Seyyed Mohammad Husseini and a number of artists and writers.

IBNA: Mahmoud Dowlat-Abadi, Mohammadreza Shafii Kadkani, Mohammad Motevasselani, Hossein Mahjoobi, Gholamhossein Salemi, Soheil Mahmoudi, Ali Dehbashi, Saed Baqeri and Yusef Alikhani and Seyyed Mahmoud Doayi were some eminent figures attending the ceremony.

At the beginning of the session, Hojatoleslam Naqavian made a speech on the life and character of Simin Daneshvar, terming her as the 'mother of Iranian fiction' who has influenced three generations of Iranian writers after her.

Daneshvar shunned imposing feminism: Naqavian

Naqavian said: "Daneshvar always stood by Jalal's side without trying to imitate him. Writing independently, the lady was the beating heart of Iranian fiction and this is obviously found in the dialogues between Yusef and Zari in Savushun."

He added: "Late Daneshvar never tried to impose overseas feminist ideas on the minds of Iranian women and her approach was rather freestanding and humanitarian."

"Some say that Jalal used to lead Simin forward, whereas the lady was committed to Iranian literature and people before and after Jalal. We should offer our condolences to all the people living with her or following her thought and work. On the other hand, we should feel proud of having such a figure in the history of contemporary Iranian literature."

Then referring to quasi-intellectual readings of Daneshvar's books, he said: "She wanted to open up a windowpane to her people, as a good writer is a moving pharmacy that holds a remedy for every type of wound. Daneshvar was aware of the poignancies Iranian people underwent, but unfortunately some individuals have tried to approach her from languid intellectual viewpoints."

No dissension between Simin and Jalal: Ahmad Ale Ahmad

On the sidelines of the memorial session, Ahmad Ale Ahmad, son of late Shams Ale Ahmad told IBNA correspondent that some people like to regard Simin and Jalal as separated individuals and differentiate them in their writings and thoughts, whereas they had no particular differences of opinion or taste and both of them were mighty writers.

The memorial ceremony of late Simin Daneshvar was held on Monday evening (March 12) at Aljavad Mosque with the presence of Culture Minister Seyyed Mohammad Husseini and a number of Iranian literati.