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Step by Step with the History

Step by Step with the History

 

The Institute for Research on the History of Children’s Literature in Iran has recently published a handbook for teachers and parents instructing them how to share the history books with children from kindergarten to high school.

 

 

 

 

Shahnameh's Album

 

Shahnameh's Album

 

Recently a compendium of lithographic illustrations to Ferdousi's Shahnameh is printed in Iran by Cheesta publishing house. The illustrations are gathered by Ulrich Marzolph and M.H. Mohammadi has prepared the texts for each story. The present album is a step towards acknowledging the existence and beauty of the indigenous Iranian and Indian production of the Shahnameh. It presents the illustrations included in the Shahnameh's Iranian editions, and discusses the models they drive from. In this respect, the present album supplements the broad scholary activity treating the illustration of the Shahnameh in illuminated manuscripts.

 

 

East Meets West in
 Children’s Literature

 

Ibby Link magazine

 

In the last days of the year 2005, a report on the “History of Children’s Literature in Iran” has been published in the book “East Meets West in Children’s Literature” in England by Pied Piper publishing house. This book is the anthologies of proceedings and reports were presented in the conference:East Meets West in Children’s Literature, which was held in Roehampton, in November of the current year.

 

In IbbyLink, spring 2005 issue, Pat Pienson the editor, who has published the abstracts of the proceedings, announced that, although the report about the history of Iranian children’s literature was not given at the conference, it would be published completely in the book “East Meets West in Children’s Literature” soon. Now this book has been published and we can see the repot by Traneh Matloob, one of the IRHCLI colleague. Matloob has reported on the huge project of the History of Children’s Literature in Iran undertaken by IRHCLI and now 7 of 10- volume book on the history of children’s literature in Iran has been published and work continues on the remaining ones.

 

 

 

 


      

New Bookshelves for our library                                                   2008/07/08

New Bookshelves for our library

The library of The Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature was recently provided with new and suitable bookshelves through the financial support of a friend of children's literature and culture, Mrs. Kharman Kasrai. This is a great opportunity for the Institute as due to lack of funds this valuable collection was previously kept in open shelves and exposed to dust, and bacteria.

New Bookshelves for our library

The library of The Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature has more than 7 thousand volumes of children and young adults' books dated from the Constitution period and reference books.

Colleagues at the Institute wish to express their gratitude to Mrs Kasrai for the generous donation, not only in assisting with the bookshelves but also for her contribution to the expansion of the second phase of the Iranak Bank project.

Today is the time to build the bridges between
    yesterday and tomorrow                                                               2008/06/21

Tooran Mirhadi

Sunday June 15, was Touran Mirhadi's birthday, the master and expert on children's literature in Iran. Friends, colleagues and her family gathered to celebrate the birthday of this outstanding and pioneering woman and to express their gratitude to her and her lifelong colleagues for their services and tireless efforts; colleagues who are still working along with her and those who were compelled to leave the country.

Nogoul Nazar playing violin on Tooran Mirhadi's Birthday

 

In this small and friendly gathering Yahya Mafi and Noushafarin Ansari, her friends and colleagues commended her for her lifelong efforts for creating a better life for the children.

 

 

Among other friends present in the gathering were Touran Eshtiaghi and Samineh Baghchehban.

Zohreh Ghaeni's speech on Tooran Mirhadi's birthdayZohreh Ghaeni representing the Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature gave a short and impressive speech entitled, "Today is the time to build the bridges between yesterday and tomorrow". In her speech she invited everyone to support the establishment of the Museum of Children's Literature & Culture, and to contribute towards making documentary films on the lives and works of outstanding personalities who have taken major steps for the well being of the children in this country; revered personalities such as Mirza Hassan Roshdieh, Jabar Baghchehban, Parvin Dolatabadi, Mehdi Azar Yazdi, Abbas Yamini Sharif and tens of others.

Tooran Mirhadi's birthday

Zohreh Ghaeni's speech

"The History of Children's Literature in Iran" will be launched
    by the Jaam Jam Network                                                          2008/06/17

 "The History of Children's Literature reference books", published by Cheesta Publishing Company in 7 volumes, will be introduced to the public in the "Ayneh Jaam" program, produced by the History, Literature and Art group of the Jaam Jam Network. In this program, Atefeh Saliani a member of The Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature in Iran will talk about the books, and the way the information was collected and compiled. The TV program reviews the literary and artistic events inside Iran and is broadcasted weekly as a literary/artistic magazine. The program is presented by Maryam Mahnegar, Zainab Taali, Arjang Darzand and is produced by Farhad Shirazi.

The program can be viewed at the following hours:

Sunday 22 June, Tehran time 18.30 Europe Jaam Jam 1

Monday 23 June, Tehran Time 8.30 Europe Jaam Jam 1

Monday 23 June, Tehran Time 10.30 Americas Jaam Jam 2

Monday 23 June, Tehran Time 16.10 Americas Jaam Jam 2

Thursday 26 June, Tehran Time 10.30 Asia Jaam Jam 3

Passing of Nader Ebrahimi, the tireless author                          2008/06/08

Nader Ebrahimi

 Nader Ebrahim, author and translator of children's literature passed away in Tehran on Thursday 5 June. He was born in Tehran on April 3rd 1936.

Nader Ebrahimi started writing at 16 when he had already read the classics of Iranian literature. In his first work for children " Away from Home" written in 1968, he employed a new language to reflect the subject and the excitement in the book, namely using short and one-syllable words.

His work with children's literature started in 1970 when he and his wife Farzaneh Mansouri started the institute, "In step with children & young adults".

 Nader Ebrahimi edited and translated books for children and young adults into Farsi. Some of his books were translated into other languages and were selected by UNESCO and some as best children's books won prizes by the Children's Book Council of Iran and the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children & Young Adults.

Ebrahimi has close to 50 works for children and young adults including:

"The Squirrels" (1974); "The Story of the Flowers of the Carpet" (1973); "The Champion of the Champions, Pouriay-e-Vali" (1352); "The Rain, the Sun and the Story of the Mosaic Tile" (1974); "The oat who was lost" (1974), and "I don't know my way to my home" (1974).

In addition to his work on style and methods of writing, Nader Ebrahimi gave lectures on the subject. He also co-operated with artists in illustration of many books such as "The long way" (1972; "The Seven-Color Flower" (1972); "The story of the old woman who wanted to have the cleanest house in the world" (1974), and "We Woke up the Rose Flowers" (1977).

His published works include "Introduction to Farsi writing for children" (1984); "Introduction to illustration of children's books"(1988); "An introduction to editing and illustrating children's books"(1989), as well as tens of articles and speeches.

Nader Ebrahimi was a dynamic and resourceful author of our country and his passing is a great loss to the supporters of children's literature in Iran.

The funeral of Nader Ebrahimi took place from the house of Artists to Behesht Zahra on 9th of June. The memorial was held at Alreza mosque at 4.45pm on Wednesday 11th of June.

The Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature in Iran conveys its condolences to his family and friends.

International Museum Day & the National Museum
  of Children's History & Culture                                                 2008/05/18

 This year, like previous years we are going to celebrate the International Museum & Cultural Heritage Day. This is at a time when after three years we are still trying to set up the Museum of Children's Culture & Literature in Iran. We initiated this project because we believe that developing a "museum culture" is an effective way for children and young adults to understand the phenomena of culture and subsequently to honor their national culture and that developing such interests will lead the young generation to democracy and responsible citizenship.

International Museum Day & the National Museum of Childrens History and CultureThe Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature in Iran (IRHCLI) has considered as part of its organizational objectives to conduct fundamental research on children's culture and literature; however the Institute is not in a position to finance the implementation of the projects. Although official requests were made to the Government Organizations such as the Cultural Heritage Organization, Mayer's office, as well as to the private sector, especially those concerned with cultural heritage; there has been no reply to the requests so far.

For more information on this project please refer to the summary published in the Museum Journal, volume 43 (spring 1385).

International Museum Day & the National Museum of Childrens History and Culture

Identifying historical documents on children's literature and history as an on-going work makes the our collection richer and more valuable everyday. Colleagues at the Institute are always looking for more written, audio and visual documents; they hope one day, not in the distant future, they will be able to establish the National Museum of Children's culture & Literature. To reach our goal we need the support of friends who are interested in children's literature; those who were once children and still have some documents from their childhood; as well as those friends who have worked for children and young adults in this country and saved samples of what they produced or documents related to their work. We are asking those who love the culture of this country to share such documents or support our project financially thus enabling the Institute to restore and register the documents in Iranak Bank.

 

Familiarization with Ketabak & Iranak in a two-day workshop                                                                                                      2008/05/17

Ketabak

 A two-day workshop was conducted by the National Museum of Children's History & Culture 24 & 25 Ordibehesht for 10 members of "Society of supporters of Children's Literature" in Isfahan. The objective of the workshop was to familiarize the participants with the following projects:

1- "Promoting reading for children & young adults" (Ketabak, a window to the world of reading);

2- "Databank on Culture & Literature of Iranian Children", (the Iranak Bank).

The participants were invited to the workshop by the House of Librarians and The Research Institute for Children's History & Literature in Tehran.

The first day of the workshop was held at the House of Librarians and the schedule and consisted of familiarization with Ketabak objectives and projects; methods of preparing the news; information on promoters groups working both with the Children's Book Council and the Research Institute for Children's History & Literature as well as a short introduction to report writing.

On the second day the participants visited the specialized history library of the Research Institute for Children's History & Literature. In the morning an introduction was given to procedures of collecting information on children' culture and literature in and registering the documents in the databank (Iranak bank); later there were sessions on techniques and policies of concise writing. The afternoon was followed by a two hour session on introduction to interviewing techniques.

The participants' evaluation of the two-day workshop was very positive. Similarly the organizers believed participation of colleagues from different cities not only proved to be a valuable exchange of experience but it also created a mutual language for launching national projects in future. It was also recommended to organize extended workshops for interested people working with children's literature in different cities.

 

Christine Holliger, director of Swiss Institute for Childrens and
  Youth Media visited The IRHCLI                                               2008/05/25

 Christine Holliger

Christine Holliger, director of Swiss Institute for Children’s and Youth Media visited The Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature in Iran, The Children's Book Council of Iran and the House of Librarian for the Promotion of Reading among Children and Young People on May 10th.

Miss Holliger who was in Iran for the reading promotion workshop "Joy of Reading" held at the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, was invited by Zohreh Ghaeni, research director of the Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature in Iran, for a visit from this institute. She then was accompanied to the Children's Book Council of Iran where she was briefed on the process of preparing the Encyclopedia for Children and Adolescents.

The House of Librarian for the Promotion of Reading among Children and Young People was the next destination of Ms Holliger's one-day tour of children's literature institutes of Iran. There she visited different parts of the House including children's Library, Reference Library for Librarianship and Children's Literature and the story room. She also got to know some ancient Iranian traditions such as Norooz, the ceremony of Charshanbeh-soori and Yalda night.

In the last part of her visit, Ms. Holliger was briefed on Ketabak, a project of the Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature in Iran, which is physically located at The House of Librarian for the Promotion of Reading among Children and Young People, and declared her willingness to cooperate with Ketabak team and share the experiences gained at the Swiss Institute for Children’s and Youth Media with them.

Christine Holliger who is the director of an institute half the budget of which is supported by the Swiss federal government, was astonished by the amount of facilities and services provided here by the private sector and volunteer donators.

 

The Institute for Research on the History of Literature in Iran 
   in Tehran International Book Exhibition                                    2008/04/27

 As previous years the Research Institute for Children's History & Literature (RICL) along with Cheesta Printing House exhibited volumes of the History of Children's Literature in the Exhibition as show casing and for sale.

The location in the Exhibition was Hall No. 14, Stall no. 11

 

Parvin Dolatabadi passed away                                                  2008/04/15

Parvin Dolatabadi passed away  Parvin the daughter of clusters of light, daughter of the flowers of the sun, the poet of the white doves and the newly grown grass, now herself has become a white bird flying over the highest mountains of our land, from Damavand to Sabalan, from Alvand to Dena. Parvin the daughter of the bluest seas, greenest pastures, the daughter of Ferdowsi the wise, fascinated by Hafez from Shiraz and enriched by poems of Molana; Parvin the mother of all children in this land goes to become a particle in the heart of the sun and reflect back on this earth.

Parvin Dolatabadi went on a journey

To the nest of the growing grass of this land. Parvin poured color, smell, light and happiness to the children's poetry. She went on a journey as she had she had composed in the poem "Such a spring":

On the body of the trees

growing like new leaves

in the running streams

washing hair like the weeping willow

in one place like violets

sitting together with friends

running to find the path

like the river in the heart of earth

in such a spring

making promises of love

how could one break

such bond of kindness

 

Passing of Samin Baghcheban                                                   2008/04/06

Passing of Samin Baghcheban

"Every Noruz I become a child again, a little boy of five or six. All my being, even my voice becomes childlike. My ears became full of voices of the rattles, sparrows and chicks. I see my kite flying in wind, its ears go to left and right, lightly and slowly it goes forward, falls down and hits the ground. I feel as if my nose is hurt and is bleeding. …..My kindergarten teacher used to say: no one has seen the next Noruz, but I as a child in my fantasy can ride my ladder and reach the next Noruz, take my kite with me and fly in the planes in front of our house. My kite is the same one that has become a star and reached the clouds……. the same one that went far away became tiny, but I myself know which one it is, because I made it with my own hands."

Samin Baghcheban the son of the late Jabbar Baghcheban, the Iranian composer, author and translator, passed away at age 82 on 19 March of 2008 further to a heart attack in Istanbul. The Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature in Iran (IRHCLI) conveys its condolences to his family and all those working in children's art.

Samin Baghcheban was born in 1925 in Tabriz. He spends his childhood in Shiraz and after completing elementary school he attended the Academy of Music in Tehran.

In 1944 after acquiring grants from the Government of Turkey he and his friend Hossain Nasehi went to Ankara, both to continue their studies in music composition. In 1949 he and Nasehi returned to Iran after completing their masters degree in composition with honors, they both started teaching in the Academy of Music.

In 1985 he returned to Turkey with his family and remained there for the rest of his life.

Between the years of 1949 and 1978 along with working in the field of music he was also active in writing and publishing his work, including translations into Farsi from the famous writers of Turkey such as Nazem Hekmat (poet and pay write), Aziz Nesin (satirist) and Yashar Kamal (novelist).

His work also includes "Seven Handicrafts of Iran", Paik Javanan; Articles on ABC of Music, Paik Javanan; " Nouruz and the Kites" illustrated by Norodin Zarinkelk ( the selected book of 1353 by the Children's Book Council of Iran. Also "Nouruz and a bird on the tree", illustrated by Parviz kalantary, 1982; Noruz, poetry and seeds for the sparrows", illustrated by Parviz kalantary 1982, and "Images from my father" 2003.

The most well known work of Baghcheban is the Rangin Kaman music album for children which his wife Evelyn helped in producing it. This album is still being distributed in the form of cassette and CD.

Mohammad Sarir the Head of the Board of Directors of the House of Music announced that there will be a commemoration in memory of Samin Baghcheban and the Organization with the consent of his wife intends to collect and publish his work.

We honor his memory.

 

FarsiAmooz in Brail                                                                  2007/12/19

FarsiAmooz in Brail

 Akram Arablu a trainer at the Shahid Mohebi Society for the Blind, has recently translated the first volume of the Farsi Amooz Adabi by Mohammad Hadi Mohamady into Brail for the use of the blind or semi blind students. In this handmade book the pictures are also made in relief using different materials to make the collages.

The Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature in Iran (IRHCLI) commends Ms. Arablu for this outstanding effort and looks forward to future co-operation with such dedicated teachers, hoping to further facilitate access of children with special needs to reading materials.

 

2008 Anderson web site                                                            2007/12/16

 The 2008 Anderson website is operational for the use of experts, artists and all interested persons. The site provides information on literature of the children in the world. Visitors to this site will find out about the candidates of the Hans Christian Anderson Award for 2008 from all countries. This year 30 authors as well as 30 illustrators are nominated to receive this important award from all over the world. This site has been created through the efforts of Zohreh Ghaini, President, Hans Christian Anderson Jury. Interested visitors to this site can also share their views on the candidates.

Visit this site:                     www.farsiamooz.com/andersen2008

 

Iranak the data bank for children's culture and literature is one year old   
                                                                                                     2007/11/12

Iranak Logo In 2003 & 2004 researchers and librarians of The Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature In Iran (IRHCLI) came up with the idea to develop a comprehensive data bank in order to facilitate access to the existing information on children's literature.

For days, weeks, months and years all those interested made tireless efforts to materialize the idea; finally Iranak, the data bank was inaugurated on 31 October 2006. Now one year has passed since Iranak was established. We have been proud in the pas year to have found a way to facilitate access to the children's world. Those who contact Iranak encourage us to continue our efforts although there are still many obstacles to overcome. Iranak as a new institution born in the cyber world is struggling to survive, namely facing many, specially financial constraints. But not all doors are closed. Now that Iranak 1 is one year old we are trying to continue its way by launching Iranak 2, which is a part of Iranak's overall structure. Iranak 2 aims to provide contemporary data on children's culture and literature, especially to the interested researchers. On the occasion of the first happy birthday of Iranak 1 and preparations for Iranak 2, we wish to thank and congratulate all those who helped us in materializing the idea and hope that the scope of this cooperation expands continuously.

 

The History of Children's Literature in Frankfurt Book Fair
                                                                                                     2007/10/18

Frankfurt Book Fair

 The Institute for Research on the History of Children's Literature in Iran (IRHCLI) and Cheesta Printing House, the publisher of the History of Children's Literature, participated for the second time in the 59th International Book Exhibition of Frankfurt, from 10 to 14 October 2007. Books published by both institutions were exhibited in a special stall namely the "History of Children's literature" and books related to creative learning for children such as "FarsiAmooz Adabi, volumes 1 &2; the "Quiz Dictionary": "The story of the palm tree and the goat", and the " Shahnameh Album".

 

The Fund for Creative Education for All

 

The Fund for Creative Education for All

The Fund has been run by donation and the work of volunteers. The Fund prepares the package of creative education materials which includes Farsi Learning through Literature 1&2 and The Riddle-Picture Dictionary and sends them to the Child Laborers Organizations which have joined this Fund. The Fund runs workshops for the teachers of these centers as well, in parallel to sending experts to these centers every two weeks to help the teachers in teaching.

The Fund for Creative Education for AllCurrently five centers have joined this Fund. The Society for Protection of Child Laborers Protective Society (Molavi ,Tehran) , The Society for Defense of Child Laborers (Yaftabad ,Tehran), The Kiana Social-Cultural Group (karaj), The Society for the Defense of a world worthy of Children (Shahre Ray) and The Center of Mehr and Danesh (Bam). About 250 children are being educated through the creative methods used by these centers.

This method has several characteristics:

- It is a creative method based on literature and art.

- It is a child-centered method.

- It is a cooperative method.

This is actually an experimental project. Although the material has been tested in ordinary schools for 3 years, it is the first time that this package is tested on child laborers and is taught instead of official text books.

The teachers are happy and results show that the children enjoy the stories. They read the lessons eagerly and learn the lessons easily. The Fund for Creative Education for All

We intend to extend this method by establishing active libraries in these centers and also emphasizing creative drama and painting.

We need more workshops for teachers to know more about children’s literature and creative methods, to know more about storytelling and creative drama and cooperative education.

 

chlhistory@gmail.com
2005