Dear Readers,

 

As the editor of Roshangar Undergraduate Journal of Persian Studies, I am thrilled to present to you the latest edition of our journal, showcasing the remarkable work of emerging scholars in Persian Studies at the University of Maryland. In this issue, you will find three thought-provoking essays and creative expressions that reflect the intellectual curiosity and academic excellence of our contributors. Each submission embodies the passion and dedication of our talented undergraduate community. 

 

Jacob Chrispim’s article “The Feminine Lens: Cinematic Depictions of Womanhood in The May Lady” discusses Rakhshan Bani-Etemad’s masterpiece by examining the filmmaker’s brilliant awareness of the power of her own cinematic consciousness and cinematic potentials in playing with space and limits of permissible. Jacob dives deep into Bani-Etemad’s cinematic representation of womanhood and its connection to her craft of filmmaking and, above all, its connection to multiple realities that her narrative features in full honesty and complexity.  

 

In “The Unification of a Nation in War,” Alice Fisher focuses on Bahram Beyzāʼi’s film Bashu, the Little Stranger and discusses the filmmaker’s remarkable vision in bringing awareness to the ethnic and linguistic minorities in Iran and using his film as a platform to promote unity toward the end of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988).

 

In “Curatorial Activism: The Critical Potential of Assemblage, Organization, and Presentation,” Ryan Roach delves into two art projects in Tehran that, by creating temporary and ephemeral public spheres, preserve crucial moments in Iran’s history, empower marginalized agencies and build a sense of community. As Ryan pinpoints, the presentation of Iranian alternative art and their critical spatial practices invade the everyday, making seemingly natural values promoted by the Iranian state strange and by doing so, they implement a prefigurative desire for social justice.

 

In addition to their scholarly engagement, our students have succeeded in harnessing their creativity to spark dialogue and inspiration. The current issue features two highlights of students’ creative projects. The poem “Echoes of Crimson; Women, Life, Freedom” by  Deeba Vafaei offers a powerful poetic statement about the Woman, Life, Freedom movement starting in 2022.  The second work is a  mixed-media piece entitled “Pushing Pretty Boundaries” by Alexandra (Lexi) Yetley. The piece includes a digital image of an Iranian jewelry box given to Lexi as a gift, along with a collage of pieces related to Iranian art activism contained within the box. The collage spilling out of the box symbolizes the fact that activist art in Iran cannot be hidden by the Iranian government. Spilling also refers to the role of social media and virtual spaces in sharing these activist projects.

 

I invite you to enjoy each of these contributions. As always, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our authors as well as my assistants Donya Saghafi, Tobin Jamie Johnson and Yara Ayache for their hard work and dedication. We hope that this edition of the journal inspires, challenges, and enriches your intellectual journey and you continue your support by reading our Roshangar.

 

Warm regards,

Marjan Moosavi

Editor in Chief of Roshangar

Lecturer in Persian Studies and MENA Performing Arts

Roshan Institute for Persian Studies

University of Maryland, College Park, located on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway People