Farhad Hassanzadeh’s Speech at the United Nations Information Center in Iran
The International Mother Language Day was celebrated on February 18th at United Nations Information Center.
Among the guests, there were well-known figures of arts and literature in Iran including Mahmoud Dowlatabadi, Houshang Moradi Kermani, Shams Langroudi, and Loris Tjeknavorian. Farhad Hasanzadeh, who is in the Hans Christian Andersen Award Short List 2020, also attended for a talk.
He pointed out the relationship between peace and children’s books. “Story means peace and reading stories is to achieve peace, and reading stories for children means to plant the seeds of peace in the minds and souls of whom that are ready to grow any uninvited seed.” He remarked.
“Simple and classic stories would also guide children to the peace. So they would figure out that sometimes life could not be stable as in the stories where characters feel safe and sound only when they live a balanced life. Balance is the key to achieve peace. It will be even more practical if the story is about peace itself where goals and tools are the same.” He added.
Mentioning all of his works for children, the author, Hassanzade claimed: “The culture of peace is a universal idea that should be localized within every land and culture. The combination of both universal perspectives and domestic ceremonies leads to a profound and memorable work. I relied on Persian culture to write books focusing on the peace indirectly.”
The author talked about young adults who love realistic stories since they would be able to wear the characters’ shoes. “Young adults who read these stories will find out that hopes and dreams would be sacrificed in war and families will lose their warm and safe shelter at the end.”