The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer
city of Shiraz, Iran
Known as the city of poets, literature, wine (despite Iran being an Islamic republic since 1979), and flowers.
Two famous poets of Iran, Hafez and Saadi, are from Shiraz.
Home to many Iranian Jews, although most have immigrated to the United States and Israel in the last half of the twentieth century, particularly after the Islamic Revolution (1979)
Characters
Isaac (Amin) - Gemologist / Jeweler
Farnaz - Wife
Shirin - Daughter
Parvaz - Son
Moshen - Revolutionary Guard Interrogator
Habibeh - Housekeeper
Shah - Leader of Iran overthrown in coup during islamic revolution
Reza - fellow prisoner
Timeline
1951 - Iran nationalizes Anglo-Iranian Oil which was owned by Britain
1953 - CIA backed coup overthrows Iran’s democratically elected PM Mohammad Mosaddegh
1978 - Protests against the Shah's rule erupts
1979 - Shah forced into exile by islamic revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini
1979–1981 Iran hostage crisis diplomatic standoff between the US and Iran
Symbolises the end of a major phase or aspect of your life that you realise is no longer serving you, opening up the possibility of something far more valuable and essential. The old version of you needs to 'die' to allow the new you to be created.
Hafiz verse
Give thanks for nights spent in good company,
And take the gifts a tranquil mind may bring;
No heart is dark when the kind moon doth shine,
And grass-grown river-banks are fair to see.
The Saki's radiant eyes, God favouring,
Are like a wine-cup brimming o'er with wine,
And him my drunken sense goes out to greet,
For e'en the pain he leaves behind is sweet.
References:
mypersiancorner.com/iranian-culture-boot-camp-tea-etiquette
sacred-texts.com/isl/hafiz.htm
democracynow.org/2010/5/6/history_of_bp_includes_role_in
Corrections:
BP was formerly known as Anglo-Iranian Oil Company
Music
The Septembers Of Shiraz