Local Literature Trapped in Nostalgia
Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad — Aftab Afridoun, a writer from Dehdasht, argues that most local writers, instead of analyzing the power-structure conflicts within the tribe and the tensions arising from the transition era and class divides, have turned to creating decorative, postcard-like images of the past.
Iran's Arjan Ambassador Provinces Service (Arjan Ambassador) - Mahnaz Jalali: The biosphere of south and southwest Iran has always been intertwined with oral narratives, ancient poems, Illyrian functions and historical ups and downs; A geography that, despite the richness of life, in the field of written literature still struggles with structural barriers, lack of institutionalized self-confidence, lack of basic infrastructure for study and the prevalence of inhibiting traditions. Kohgiluyeh, Boboyrahmad, and especially the historical area of Dehdasht, is a living example of this historical struggle between the ancient tradition and the clumsy entry of modernity. A space in which the voice of women writers and the analysis of the power structure within the Illyrian culture has rarely found a place to emerge.
Aftab Afridon, a native writer and researcher, born in 1350 in Dehdasht, is one of these figures emerging from the lived experience of both urban and nomadic communities, who tried to put down the collective memory and daily life of the women of this region by relying on small narratives. By writing works such as "B-Glabton", "Kuch Ranjha" and the collection of stories "Those Women", he went to the hidden layers of a society that is wandering in the midst of excessive nostalgia and the crisis of cultural placelessness.
In a conversation with the journalist Safir Arjan, Afridon analyzed the challenges of producing the work, the fundamental differences between male and female language in literary creation, criticizing the policies of promoting book reading, why the official plans fail in the peripheral areas, and the necessity of literary courage to face historical wounds.
Childhood and dual lived experiences
Referring to his geographical and family origin, Aftab Afridon stated: I was born in Dehdasht and was born in 1350. The structure of my life since childhood was formed based on two types of biological experience; One is urban life in the nascent structure of Dehdasht city and the other is native, nomadic and natural life. During my childhood, although my family lived in the city, when the summer season began, we would go to the cold areas of the plane tree for three months to spend the hot days of the year and rest. This three-month migration completely changed our way of life, so that during that period we lived like Illyrian families in Caper and our life was synchronized with the pulse of the earth, plants and the wind blowing in the heights.
Describing the days spent in the unspoiled nature of Planar, this native writer added: At that time, my peers and I spent the whole day in the plains and foothills playing local games and having a pure connection with nature, regardless of the heavy and arduous daily tasks of adults. But the turning point and the main shape of my soul was formed in the nights of this bungalow residence. At night, we used to hang around a very kind storyteller named Miralias, who was our neighbor in the area, and listen to him tell us local stories. Miralias used to tell us a local and new story every night; Stories that were full of our ancient mythology, identity, symbols and culture.
Expressing regret for the gradual destruction of these oral heritages, he stated: Unfortunately, due to the lack of awareness, the lack of structured recording and the interruption of the cycle of hand-to-hand transmission, those stories, like many parts of the Iliat subcultures, gradually lost color and were left in the bush of oblivion. However, the same narratives formed the main pillar of my mental world. If I want to define my personal identity, I have to say that I had a very fruitful, rich and at the same time full of ups and downs childhood. In my teenage years, I was faced with the heavy concept of responsibility by early entry into cohabitation and marriage. I believe that this conflict between the freedom of childhood and the heavy burden of family responsibility in adolescence makes a person strong and stubborn and strengthens his mental flexibility against the events of the day.
Emphasizing the influence of the environment on individual flourishing, Afridon noted: the growth and development of every human being is tied to the way of life, the geography of breathing, and especially the people around him. Those who reach the limits of intellectual maturity and deep understanding have the ability to make a fundamental impact on the fate and path of other people's lives. My constant and endless concern for all these years has been the condition of women in my community; Especially the women of Kohgiluyeh and Boboyrahmad region, who unfortunately have not taken books and reading seriously, and coherent reading does not contribute to the development of their daily lives.
The motives of writing and the birth of the first fiction work
In describing the process of his interest in literature and the beginning of his writing career, the author of the novel Bey Glabton said: Constantly listening to local stories as a child, familiarity with books, constant recording of daily events in a personal diary, continuous living with middle-aged and old women who were each living and painful narrators of their own history, and finally observing and touching the deep sufferings of women and girls around me, were the main stimuli that gave me the courage to write. I felt that I should be the honest narrator of the events that I have seen, heard and lived with my skin and flesh.
He recalled: My attraction to the world of fiction goes back to my elementary school days. In those years, the contents of Persian textbooks, history and religious teachings were more similar to stories and legends for me than they were strict educational rules and regulations. When I was writing assignments and exercises from the text of the Persian book, I was filled with great joy; Because the deep themes and hidden layers of old classical poems and new poems made me think and think for hours. Combining this sense of inquiry with an undying love of fiction eventually led me to become a native storyteller. The result of this process was the writing of my first work entitled "Be Globtun" which narrated the story and biography of my paternal grandmother, the late Mashhadhi "Globtun Aran" as an example of the standing of the women of this land.
The published works, the difficulties of writing and the technical stages of creating a novel
Enumerating his written record to date, Afridon said: My works that have been published so far include the novel "Bey Glabton", the novel "Kuch Ranzhha" and the story collection "Those Women", which includes short stories such as "Moon Figure", "The Sun Sleeps", "Those Women" and "Shah Zangal". Walking this path was full of difficulties and spiritual bitterness for me. Each of these books took at least two years to create, and during those years I wrote non-stop for five to six hours a day, and many days longer.
By comparing the nature of writing work with physical activities, he added: Based on years of experience in the field of writing, I declare clearly that the fatigue caused by mental work and creative writing is much more exhausting and at the same time, more romantic than the fatigue caused by heavy physical work. As the muscles of the body sweat profusely during hard physical work, the act of writing also brings continuous sweating of the soul and mind. Unfortunately, there are wrong judgments in the society and some people think that the writer takes up the pen because of unemployment and free time, to put everything that comes to his mind on paper or type it on the computer for fun and then print it without suffering.
In describing the structural stages and technical difficulties of novel writing, this native author stated: In reality, the story is completely different. After writing the initial plan and developing the basic subject, the author must adapt his work to the seven pillars and key elements of the story and integrate them in an organic way in the context of the text; These elements include the main theme or theme, accurate characterization, setting the dimensions of time and place, choosing the appropriate point of view, designing a solid plot or plot, creating a conflict, leading conflict or contradiction, and finally a meaningful ending. After completing these elements, it's time to rewrite and edit, which I believe is the most exhausting part of the work. In order to achieve the desired tone and structure, I reread and carefully edited each of my books more than thirty to forty times and maybe more; I deleted, moved and rewrote numerous words, sentences and clauses many times until the final text was born. The important point here is that I have paid for the publication of all these paper books personally and with limited personal resources, and no government organization has sponsored it.
The therapeutic mission of writing and the psychological position of the female writer
Afridon said about the psychological and ontological dimensions of female writers: When it comes to the characteristics, capacities, and needs of a female writer, we are actually stepping into a realm where artistic creativity, individual identity, and life experience are inextricably linked. Because of their direct understanding of the structure of internal relationships, female writers often have a strong desire to reflect the crises and hidden knots within the family and portray the bitter consequences of parental neglect, hidden domestic violence, and spouse's improper behavior.
Referring to the anti-war attitude of women in the field of literature, he added: Most women writers are characters full of emotion and strongly anti-war and violence. When a female writer decides to write about violent phenomena such as war and political conflicts, she focuses her pen on the destructive, lasting and destructive effects of these disasters on the psyche of children, women and the foundation of the family. A woman's pen penetrates the depths of social damage and, with a therapist's eye, seeks to find a way to save human dignity and alleviate the pains of society. For me personally, the process of writing has always carried two meanings; On the one hand, carrying out a great human and social mission, and on the other hand, a therapeutic and purifying function for my mental wounds.
Language, power and fundamental differences between male and female perspectives
This native author explained in a careful analysis of gender differences in the creation of text: Although words, grammar and white pages of paper are genderless in themselves, the biological experience of people who arrange these words is strongly influenced by their gender position and social status. The fact is that language in historical contexts has always emerged from within the power structures and what we know today as the standard or standard language has been organized over the centuries mainly from the perspective and dominance of the male gaze.
In explaining the thematic difference between male and female narratives, Afridon stated: In the classical narrative world and in the macroscopic framework of the male author, the focus of the story is often focused on major events, wars, major political developments, risky journeys, and the highlighting of heroes, and time moves with a linear, accelerated and external rhythm. On the contrary, women's pen tends to write small history or in other words everyday history. For a male writer, the family institution is more defined as a functional social unit or a blood-related structure; But a woman writer, with a critical look, discovers subtle and invisible layers of subtle injustices, everyday discriminations and silent and selfless sacrifices inside the home that are never seen in the macro view of male writers.
He considered the greatest point of distinction of women's writing in understanding the language of silence and emphasized: One of the basic neglects of the male perspective in narration is ignoring the category of silence. A woman's pen is able to represent those parts of existence that cannot be put into words; Because the sufferings, grudges and trampling of women's rights are mostly hidden in long silences, in the depth of looks and in very subtle tones and ironies. Also, due to direct touch, a woman writer has a high ability to describe body language and unique sensory experiences such as childbirth pains, physiological changes, or the loneliness of old age; Areas that are difficult and far from reach for a male writer to enter and understand.
Evolution in fiction and critique of reproduction of stereotypes
After examining the historical process of changing the position of women in contemporary fiction writing, Afridon said: Today's fiction has witnessed a very impressive turn and transformation. The contemporary female writer no longer considers herself limited to portraying a woman who is simply a symbol of patience, absolute sacrifice, and silence in the face of oppression; And on the other hand, it does not fall into the trap of extreme and caricature depictions of women whose only mission is to destroy men's lives and harm society. Today, women writers recklessly go to topics and themes that were considered taboo, unacceptable and red line in the past.
While distinguishing the state of literature in the metropolises and marginal areas, he warned: Of course, we must be realistic and point out that this fundamental transformation and boldness in projecting new concepts is more specific to women writers in large and developed cities and has not yet fully spread in the traditional context and literary geography of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad. On the other hand, the plague that threatens literature today is the deviation in escaping from the previous cliché. Some writers, trying to get rid of the form of weak and victimized women, have fallen into the trap of another extreme stereotype under the title of unnecessary superhero woman; An artificial character that lacks any emotional needs, human weakness and psychological vulnerability. In my opinion, today's sublime and powerful literature portrays the authority of a woman in accepting the wholeness of her being; That is, a real woman who has both will and power and suffers, fights for her independence and may be caught in the vortex of social traps.
Woman's triangle, book, community development and indigenous tissue obstructions
By drawing the conceptual geometry of the study's influence on the society's structure, this native author clarified: the connection between women, books and society development can be described as a vital triangle whose sides are in continuous interaction and a cycle of interdependence. In most sociological structures, women are considered the backbone and the main basis of education of future generations. A woman's achievement of deep study and analytical literacy, which goes far beyond the ability to read the alphabet and includes the root understanding of concepts, social criticism and situation analysis, gives her the authority to redefine the value system in the family and society.
Pointing to the positive consequences of reading books for women, he added: When a woman connects with a book, she distances herself from ignorance and mental darkness, which is the main origin of the reproduction of violence, prejudice and discrimination. The entry of knowledgeable, well-read and educated women into different layers of society improves the quality of public decision-making. Now, if this side is lost, the development triangle will collapse; The book will become an ornamental and lifeless commodity, the society will remain in the vortex of stagnation, backwardness and reproducing injuries, and the concept of development will become a middle-of-the-road slogan. Therefore, a knowledgeable and thoughtful woman is designing and architecting the future of a society by reading books.
Afridon called the situation of access to books in the nomadic and native areas of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad alarming and stated: Unfortunately, the current indicators in our native contexts are not satisfactory at all. Several reasons have come together to prevent women from less-privileged areas from studying. In marginal areas, the physical space of the library, safe environments for intellectual exchange, and even the infrastructure for easy access to high-quality books are extremely limited and sometimes rare. Beyond the lack of physical facilities, the biggest obstacle is the traditional view that governs these areas, which in some cases considers acquiring knowledge, independent thinking, and deep study as a threat to the stability of long-standing traditions and a threat to obedient structures. This cultural atmosphere causes girls to learn unwritten from childhood that knowledge, analysis and intellectual independence are in conflict with the survival of their accepted roles.
Regarding the solutions to overcome this situation, he said: breaking these barriers will not be achieved only with the apparent plans of book distribution; We need a fundamental redefinition of the concept of knowledge in the local context. We should represent the book as a means to improve the quality of daily life, a tool to empower women in managing the home and raising children, and a shield to protect the mental health of the family, so that reading is removed from a luxury, academic and alien concept and becomes an integral part of the ecology of the people of the region.
The confrontation of the book with virtual space and maternal strategies
After examining the competition of books with new digital platforms, Afridon said: Today, the competition between books, which is a commodity that requires long-term concentration, patience, silence and deep thinking, and cyberspace, which is based on haste, instant excitement and superficiality, has become a completely unequal battle. If we want to keep the written culture alive in the intellectual structure of today's new generation, we should not take the path of blind confrontation and direct war with technology and virtual space.
He considered the characteristics of the new generation to be in need of new educational methods and added: Today's teenagers and young people are a bold, intelligent, independent generation, but at the same time they are impatient. It is not possible to force them to study with grammatical methods, commanding tone and use of "must" statement. Repeating sentences like you should read a book or why do you spend all your time on your mobile phone only creates a gap, a sense of stubbornness and hostility between children and parents. Mothers have a decisive role in this and can change the form of confrontation.
In expressing the practical strategies for promoting reading in the family, this author stated: Parents should change reading from a solitary, silent and obligatory activity to a dynamic, enjoyable and group ritual in the family. Holding joint storytelling nights, reading numerous, passionate and long stories and asking questions and discussing the decisions of the characters in the book are among these solutions. Also, starting the path with books that suit the taste of young people, such as fantasy and science fiction, breaks the initial resistance of the new generation. The key point is in the behavior of the parents themselves; If a mother spends many hours aimlessly on social networks, she cannot invite her child to study. Children and teenagers model our behavior, not our words. When the child sees his mother focusing on the book and rethinking its concepts, he will internalize the value of reading. Mother's reading should become an objective lifestyle at home. On the other hand, it is impossible and harmful to completely remove the virtual space; Therefore, informed mothers should intelligently redefine the digital platform and reading as complementary to each other in their children's lives.
Pathology of the ineffectiveness of official plans and concrete obstacles for women
With a serious criticism of government policies in the field of book promotion, Afridon stated: The fundamental reason that government plans and directives have not been able to turn reading into a living habit in the heart of society is that the official educational structure has not defined any real and enjoyable place for non-curricular books. In our schools, from the primary period to the end of secondary school, the book is viewed only as homework, memorization for grades and exam tools; An approach that suppresses the student's curiosity, the desire to question, and the joy of discovering the text.
He considered the second institutional harm to be centralization in planning and emphasized: policy makers in the capital always apply a single and uniform cultural version for the entire country with wide climatic variations and do not pay any attention to the local characteristics, linguistic needs and social structures of the surrounding areas. Also, showcases and promotional exhibitions usually highlight works that are either highly specialized, academic, and out of the reach of the masses, or extremely superficial works that do not go beyond market entertainment.
This native researcher pointed out the structural and daily obstacles of women in the cities and said: "Women in traditional and peripheral contexts are so involved in exhausting housework, the difficult responsibilities of raising children, and the obligation to attend long and numerous social rituals such as recitations, frequent burial ceremonies, and forced family visits that at the end of the day, they do not have enough time to focus on complex texts; As a result, to escape from extreme fatigue, they seek refuge in the lap of virtual space, which offers them temporary pleasures and relaxation, fast and effortless. In addition to this issue, the high price of books is a serious obstacle for interested women who do not have independent income in these areas. As long as the book does not come into life from behind the stylish windows as a companion of the days of suffering and joy, and until the budgets and plans are adjusted to the biological realities of women, reading will remain at the level of administrative statements.
novel; Empathy and savior civil solidarity production machine
The author of the novel Kuch Ranjha, in explaining the civil functions of reading novels in the health of the society, stated: distancing a society from reading novels is equal to distancing people from understanding the suffering of others; Because the novel is considered the greatest tool for creating empathy in human history. The consequences of distancing from fiction can be clearly observed in the two areas of personal relationships and civil behavior. The novel teaches us that every person has an inner world full of anxiety, hopes, contradictions and suffering behind the social masks and external face. When the novel is removed from the biological basket, human relations fall towards instrumentalization and speculation; We see others not as sentient beings, but as competitors to eliminate, and this is the beginning of verbal violence, collective distrust, and fatal isolation.