Do not wish for a revolution...All those times of dramatic changes, when black turns to white and white turns to red, bloody red. Those times when breaking up is as deep as the wound of a sharp knife stuck into your heart. Those times when parents are no more parents and children are turning into judges of their parents. Please, do not pray for a revolution...
I´ve started to read Der Standhafte Papagei. Erinnerungen an Tehran 1979 shortly after my first book by Amir Hassan Cheheltan - which I´ve read in the German translation by Jutta Himmelreich. I acknowledged that this first encounter was fine, but far from being outstanding as the historical thread took over the story itself.
However, my second book of this author, who resides currently in Tehran, offered a completely different reading experience. Set as a succession of short stories, with characters maintained from an installment to the other, this book features the events and the people during the period preceding and during the installment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1978-1979. The political characters of the times, the Shah and his generals and the SAVAK (the terrible domestic secret service) are flipping in the front of the eyes of the residents of Tehran, who, themselves, are directly affected by the changes. Take for instance, Mr. Firuz, with his shop of alcoholic beverages is targeted by the revolutionaries, among which his own son. Plus a Papagei - parrot, in English - which is standhaft - unwavering, in English. The only one who doesn´t change its feathers during those times when tomorrow is such a faraway unknown journey.
When the Islamic Revolution took over Iran, Cheheltan was 22 and now, 40 years later, he was able to share its stories. Which is such a grateful experience, as it displays so many interesting human insights and accounts relevant for the very specific case of Iran as well as for understanding the impact of revolutions on everyday lives.
Rating: 4 stars
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