The Birthplace of Literature Nobel Laureate

One of those little tricks of fate or history that makes it interesting and intriguing. Dorris Lessing the winner of Nobel Prize in literature was born in October 22, 1919 in Kermanshah, Iran, whose international name at the time was Persia.

Her citation reads:

"that epicist of the female experience, who with skepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilization to scrutiny."

There are some interesting link about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doris_Lessing

International Herald Tribune: Excerpts from the Citation for the 2007 Nobel Prize in literature

For Photos of Kermanshah see here: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Middle_East/Iran/West/Kermanshah/

18th Annual Festival of Films from Iran

http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/

The Gene Siskel Film Center welcomes you to the 18th Annual Festival of Films from Iran, October 6 through November 5. This year's festival represents an exceptionally diverse selection of films, from new work by major directors to popular comedies rarely seen outside of Iran. All fourteen films are Chicago premieres; eight of them are U.S. premieres.

The enjoyable omnibus film PERSIAN CARPET provides a survey of the artistic range of Iranian cinema in miniature through fifteen shorts, all around the theme of the carpet, by directors including Abbas Kiarostami, Bahman Farmanara, Jafar Panahi, Majid Majidi, Dariush Mehrjui, Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, and many more. Films distinguished by awards and critical accolades at major film festivals worldwide include: HALF MOON, RAAMI, UNFINISHED STORIES, THOSE THREE, and A FEW DAYS LATER. For those who think of Iranian cinema as essentially somber and serious, check out RULE OF THE GAME and DEPORTEES. Unique and personal variations on the documentary include THE RED CARD and 10 + 4.

This year we initiate a series of mini-discussions following selected Saturday evening screenings, moderated by well-known authorities on Iranian cinema. Director Amir Hamz appears in person with his film SOUNDS OF SILENCE on October 27 and 28. Meet the director following the show on October 27, at a free reception sponsored by Pasfarda Arts & Cultural Exchange.
The Gene Siskel Film Center thanks the many individuals, companies, and agencies in Iran and in the U.S. whose invaluable efforts, good will and support have made this year's festival possible. .... See more here: http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/

and some events community organized: www.ChicagoPersians.com

Monday Links

AFP: Trucks roll as Iran reopens Iraq border
PressTV: Parthian fort found in western Iran
The Hindu: Turkey, Iran resolve to deepen energy ties
Tehran Times: Nozari, Mehrabian to be introduced as Iran oil, industries ministers
Business Intelligence Middle East: Dollar dealt another blow from Qatar and Vietnam
International Herald Tribune: France faces hard sell on Iran sanctions
Reuters: Austria rejects separate EU sanctions against Iran
Indianapolis Star: A plan to deal with Iran by Lee Hamilton

Iran Oil Industy's 25 Untouchables

According to Tehran Times, Iran Ministry of Petroleum announced that 25 firms are off privatization list. These are National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC), Pars Special Economic Energy Zone Co., National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), National Petrochemical Company (NPC), National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC), National Iranian Gas Export Company (NIGEC), National Iranian Oil Engineering and Construction Company (NIOEC), Iranian Fuel Conservation Organization (IFCO), Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company (IGEDC), National Iranian Oil Pipeline and Telecommunication Company (NIOPTC), Petrochemical Terminal and Tank Farm Company (PTTC), and South Pars Gas Complex (SPGC) are among the companies.

These companies are major operators in Iran’s oil industry and include firms in all aspects and levels of operation; manufacturing, expansion, distribution and development. It must be emphasized that Iran Oil Ministry other companies are tapped for privatization. This announcement also means that privatization will go ahead in oil industry, at least for some companies. Given the vital significance of this industry for Iran’s domestic economy, many politicians oppose a complete privatization of this sector. In the presence of such formidable opposition a partial privatization still is a victory for privatization process in Iran.
For more information see: http://www.nioc.org/index.asp

Chicago Marathon

In an unbelievable heat Chicago runners started their annual Marathon. It started like this:


And ended after runners made to 20 Miles -33K point, only 6 miles left. Many were disappointed and angry. The heat was predicted, the question is why it was not canceled earlier and why it canceled when many were only an hour away from the finish line:

Photos are taken by the author.

Friday Links

AlterNet: What a War on Iran Might Look Like [photo essay]
AlterNet: Our Most Important Mission: Prevent War with Iran
International Herald Tribune: Kouchner says France will continue dialogue with Iran over nuclear program
AP: Tehran: Split Between Liberal, Hard-Line
Guardian: PM using troop pullout to distance himself from Bush, Iran claims

Economy:
The Economist: Parallel purposes
Forbes: Financiers Cold to Turkey’s Iran Gas Deal
Turquie Europeenne: Energy deal with Iran dominates Turkish PM’s agenda
The Wall Street Journal: Turkey to Finance Iran Gas Project Without Partners

Boston Globe: US, Iran play with fire

Ramesh Thakur has written this piece for Boston Globe; It is very interesting and I quote this part:
"There is a long history of Western interventions in Iran. Tehran received neither understanding, sympathy, nor support from the West as the victim of Iraqi aggression, including the use of chemical weapons."

Ramesh Thakur, a former UN assistant secretary general, is a fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and professor of political science at the University of Waterloo, Canada
http://www.unu.edu/hq/personnel/thakur.html