In Iran nights are quiet. Bars or nightclubs don’t exist, dancing is forbidden. In Isfahan, a city in the center of the country surrounded by desert, people fight back. Every night people of all age and gender gather under the Khaju Bridge and singtraditional songs, sometimes they dance.
It’s a dangerous action, policemen from the station nearby are attentive. They try tostop it, go for patrols often spreading unease and fear. People respect the police, they are harsh and strict. Rumors go around that some people got arrested because of singing. The policemen take initiators and force them to stop - in an aggressive manner. Still, every night I hear the echo of the songs in the arches of the almost 370 years old bridge. The song lyrics are about the difficulties of life, love and sometimes about freedom. Often there is a sad and melancholic atmosphere. The singers and listeners feelthe need of moving - but they are afraid, too much fear of the consequences.
The religious-political system in Iran is powerful and is stamped by restrictions offreedom. In reckless moments people forget about it, they feel free - hidden under thebridge they rebel and dance. Until they hear the codeword for the police coming -‚Akbar dare miad‘.
It’s a dangerous action, policemen from the station nearby are attentive. They try tostop it, go for patrols often spreading unease and fear. People respect the police, they are harsh and strict. Rumors go around that some people got arrested because of singing. The policemen take initiators and force them to stop - in an aggressive manner. Still, every night I hear the echo of the songs in the arches of the almost 370 years old bridge. The song lyrics are about the difficulties of life, love and sometimes about freedom. Often there is a sad and melancholic atmosphere. The singers and listeners feelthe need of moving - but they are afraid, too much fear of the consequences.
The religious-political system in Iran is powerful and is stamped by restrictions offreedom. In reckless moments people forget about it, they feel free - hidden under thebridge they rebel and dance. Until they hear the codeword for the police coming -‚Akbar dare miad‘.
Akbar dare miad
(2018)
