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First Word - The years of Darkness, the tragedy of exile
and suspicious deaths!
A catastrophe is a catastrophe and it will ultimately lead to death and nullity. But the
extent of the catastrophe experienced by Iranians in and out of Iran during the last
twenty years has been so enormous that in the years leading up to the 1979 Revolution they
could not even imagine it in their worst nightmares.
In ancient epic and folk literature of Iran the character of 'Zahak' with the two snakes
on his shoulders is the symbol of evil and corruption. For their survival the snakes fed
on the brains of two young Iranians per day. But perhaps it can be hard to imagine that in
every day of the last twenty years the Iranian nation has sacrificed around 150 young
lives in order for the Islamic Republic to continue. The majority of them are teenagers
and young people of no more than thirty years of age. They could have been a positive
force in building the future of Iran. However this vast and constructive force either lost
its life to war or was executed because of his beliefs or because of the various physical
and psychological disabilities inflicted upon him has to struggle with the handicap to the
last dying breath.
Today one can confidently say that every Iranian family has been touched by this darkness.
We must not forget that these are only the human costs of these twenty years. A financial,
political and cultural look at how our nation has ended up bankrupted and deprived of
light and life is much larger topic that we will leave for the future.
One of the other faces of the catastrophe in the last twenty years is the phenomenon of
exile, homelessness, being displaced. Whether we talk about the vast majority who find
themselves alien and isolated in their own country or those of us who live physically
outside Iran because of the Islamic government, due to its recent and special nature it
must be the subject of serious psychological and sociological study. We must learn from
this to avoid its reoccurrence for the future generations, be it in Iran or similar
societies wishing for a revolution as the solution to their problems.
Another consequence of the rule of the Islamic republic in these dark years apart from the
executions, terrorist activities and … is the deaths under suspicious circumstances
and the disappearances of those who must been identified as obstructions in the path of
the Islamic Republic. Without a doubt we have to wait for the right time for these
mysteries to be revealed one by one.
I have not gone untouched by this catastrophe either. This time it hit me with all its
might and intent in the shape of the suspicious death of my one and only son, Dr Chapour
Ladjevardi. He was found in his dental surgery in Paris, which was due to open within
days. The cause of death according to the police is an injection of a substance called
'Potassium Chloride'. Strangely, it is rumored that during the last few years there have
been a number of these suspicious deaths under exact circumstances in Iran. Their deaths
no doubt must be the result of their differing ideology, political thinking and social
beliefs.
Chapour alongside Dr Bagher Parham and myself was one the three signatories at the
registration of the Association of Iranian Researchers. However during the last three
years because of his own professional commitments was no longer active with ACI.
The reasons behind Chapour's suspicious death are still vague and unclear to many others
and me. There are many discrepancies in the initial reports. Many questions as to how and
why remain unanswered. However I have always tried to remain objective, logical and never
say anything based on emotions. I will wait for the final official police and coroner
reports before I inform everyone as to the reason of my only son's death.
But ultimately my Chapour will never come back. For me there is nothing left but the
memories of the twenty eight years of his short life, his engraved name on a headstone and
an occasional bunch of flowers on his grave. All this when I cannot even believe that he
will never come back to tell his 'father' of his successes and achievements.
Hossein Ladjevardi
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An excerpt from
Rouzegar Noe - July 1999
During the last month our dear friend and colleague Dr Hossein Ladjevardi the head of
Association of Iranian Researchers lost his only child Dr Chapour Ladjevardi under very
mysterious and suspicious circumstances. Needless to say this loss has deeply shaken and
touched the heart all those who know him.
On the surface it seemed like a suicide. Yet due to strange and unexplainable events the
District Attorney has not accepted this theory. She has ordered an independent inquiry
into three different possibilities: 1. Suicide, 2. Murder,
3. Political assassination.
What has raised the most suspicion is Chapour himself. Chapour was a handsome successful
twenty eight year old with everything to live for. He was not depressed or withdrawn. A
confident and self made young man he had achieved his noticeable academic and professional
success on his own merit and hard work.
On the day of his death, Sunday July 11th 1999, he was interviewing for an assistant for
his new surgery, in avenue Victor Hugo in the exclusive 16th district of Paris, which was
due to open on July 15th. According to the police report his last interview was half an
hour before his death around seven in the evening.
The same afternoon he had gone shopping for some paintings for the surgery with a friend.
He had even made appointments for the first day of his opening.
A week before, Dr Chapour Ladjevardi had bought a new car which had not been numbered yet.
He was due to go for this on Monday morning and had made an appointment with the local
police.
It is evident that if some one for whatever reason is planning on killing himself, he
would not interview for an assistant, would not buy paintings for his surgery, would not
give out appointments to patients or make an appointment with the police.
And why should he kill himself? It is a known fact that committing suicide is a message
for the living. Yet the police has failed to find a note or letter from him.
No doubt sooner or later all these questions will be answered. The sad tragic truth
remains that none of these answers will ever address the deep sadness and the loss for the
grieving parents. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the Ladjevardi family.
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Ref: 35/M/123
Date: 21 October 1999
To: Mr. Seyed Mohamad Khatami
Although the official news of your trip to France has not been announced yet, we would
like to renew our invitation of last year for a discussion on issues concerning the
present and future of Iran in a public meeting arranged by ACI.
Association of Iranian Researchers would like to invite you and your responsible advisers
to discuss the topics listed below:
1. Human Rights in Iran
2. Political Issues in Iran
3. Social Issues in Iran
4. Economic Issues in Iran
This public meeting will be held according to the beliefs of ACI free from any prejudice
or bias and free from generalization and excitement in a completely scholarly manner.
As mentioned in the previous invitation if the concept of 'dialogue of civilizations' is
to enter the realm of reality, in the first instance it must be realized through talking
with all Iranian and in particular the Iranian specialists and experts regardless of their
political beliefs.
Association of Iranian Researchers
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23-25 September 1999
Musikwissenschaftliches Institut,
Cologne University, Cologne, Germany.
Association of Iranian Researchers dedicated its twenty seventh international conference
to the study of 'Iranian Music, past present and future'. This conference was convened
jointly with the Music Institute of Cologne University with the participation of renowned
musicians and experts world-wide.
The conference was opened with the welcoming words of Professor Dr Rudiger Schumacher,
the head of the Music Institute, who commented on the close ties between the Institute and
the studies on Iranian Music.
Dr Hossein Ladjevardi welcomed the audience on behalf of ACI. In his short opening speech,
he reflected upon the famous Iranian musicians such as 'Nakisa' or 'Barbod' whose talents
and abilities flourished under the Persian Kings. He went on to explain the aims and
objectives of ACI in organizing the Music conference. He hoped that with the aid of the
experts the pleasure and joy derived from hearing music can be returned to the Iranian
culture and replace the culture of mourning and lamentations governing it at present.
Professor Dr Nasser Kanani, one of the organisers of the conference was the first speaker
to present his paper. With the aid of some very illuminating slides, he demonstrated the
pre-Islamic history of Music in Iran and its importance in the every day lives of
Iranians. Professor Dr Kanani completed his tour of the history of Iranian music on the
second day by talking about post-Islamic music in Iran.
Dr Thomas Ogger, an expert and lecturer on Iranian music based his interesting paper on
Iranian music, past, present and future. Drawing on his first hand experiences in Iran
during the last several years he introduced his views modernity in Iranian music at
present and where he sees it going.
Professor Dr Hormoz Farhat, one of the most prominent authorities on Iranian music was the
last speaker of the first session. His presence and paper on 'Authenticity versus reform
in traditional Persian music' created a great deal of excitement. Amongst some very
revealing points, in his opinion, traditional Persian music is noble yet familiar,
private, and spiritual. He believes that it is to be heard in small and private gatherings
as he did not believe it to have the same effect in a large informal concert hall. He
believes it to be precious and one, which should be preserved.
Dr Reza Torshizi, gave one of most engaging talks of the conference as the first speaker
of the second session on day one. He discussed rhythm in Iranian music. In his opinion
classical Persian poetry was the infrastructure upon which the rhythm of traditional
Iranian music was based.
Abdolhamid Eshragh, presented a very entertaining paper on 'Dastgah' in Iranian music. He
had accessed some first recordings of instruments played by masters, which he shared with
the audience. Amongst them a very beautiful impromptu dialogue between a canary and the
'tar' playing of one of the masters.
Ghassem Talebzadeh, an accomplished and renowned violinist, discussed modernity in
traditional Iranian music and suggested that by deriving inspiration from folk and
traditional music, the music of the time must be created and that it must catch the
essence of the era it is written and performed for.
Dr Jalal Akhbari, expert and musician, opened the first session of the second day by
discussing the history of ancient Iranian music. In the second part of his paper in the
afternoon session, he related the history to 'Santoour', its evolution, and teaching
technique during the ages.
Dr Hossein Omoumi, one of the most famous masters of 'Ney' presented a most charming and
engaging papers on the history and teachings of the art of playing the 'Ney'. He paid
homage to his master, Hassan Kassaie as well as demonstrating a variety of methods for
playing the 'Ney'.
Madjid Khaladj, a young and accomplished musician whose expertise, knowledge and
dedication in the art of Iranian drums has placed him highly amongst the masters of the
instrument gave a most interesting talk punctuated by demonstrations of various rhythms
and their language.
Cyrus Malakouti, the renowned Iranian composer and guitarist, opened the third and final
day of the conference by discussing issues concerning the lives of musicians and composers
in Iran. He told of the problems and difficulties that exist in Iran for any one who does
not necessarily believe in the regime's ideology and that this was no different for the
musicians and composers. Yet, he believed that despite this oppression the artists in Iran
persevered and carried on regardless.
Guiti Khosravi, an opera singer whose initial training was in Iran before the Islamic
Revolution of 1979, talked about the fate of women artists and performers in the last
twenty years.
Dr Mahmoud Khoshnam, another one of the organisers of the conference, drew upon his vast
knowledge as a critic and journalist to discuss the 'modernity movement' in traditional
Iranian music which he believed had started over seventy years ago in Iran.
Professor Dr R?iger Schumacher, opened the afternoon session. He presented a most
informative paper on the teachings in the Music institute of Cologne University and its
ties with Persian music. He dedicated his paper to Dr Massoudieh a colleague and close
friend.
Dr Eckart Wilkens, an expert on Iranian Music, discussed whether it was necessary to
modernise traditional music for it to become global. He demonstrated his understanding of
Iranian music a beautiful piece for the piano entitled 'Sun, moon and the stars'. The
audience received this very warmly.
Dr Mohamad Assemi, enthralled the audience with his exciting and passionate delivery of
traditional poems and their rhymes and rhythms which in his opinion had directly affected
the music of their time.
Iraj Janati-Attaie, was the last speaker of the conference. A modern songwriter and
playwright he discussed the history of popular music in Iran and the role of the modern
songs in reflecting and shaping the times.
This particular conference was a new yet pleasant experience for the organisers because of
the concerts, which were organised.
The generosity of the experts and musicians who donated their time and performances for
two evenings of traditional and modern music was received warmly and enthusiastically by
the audience. Both evenings were also recorded and broadcast for Iranian listeners and
into Iran by the BBC, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, Voice of Israel, Radio France
Internationale, and Deutsche Welle.
The first evening was dedicated to traditional Iranian music:
Madjid Derakhshani and his beautiful tar playing opened the concert. Jalal Akhbari
followed this with a piece on the 'Santoor' with guest accompaniment of Reza Torshizi on
the 'Tonbak'. To close the evening, Hossein Omoumi and Madjid Khaladj received standing
ovations for their enchanting performance of 'Ney' and 'Tonbak'.
The second evening was opened by a special piece for the flute written and performed by Dr
Wilkens for the concert. This was followed by Guiti Khosravi accompanied on the piano by
Dr Sara Hassanpour and later a by Gahssem Talebzadeh who had composed a piece as a
surprise for the organisers.
Cyrus Malakouti closed the first half of the evening with a classical piece performed on
his specially modified and designed guitar.
The second half saw a very entertaining piece by Maryam Akhundi and her group. This was
followed by the beautiful folk singing of Parvin Cox accompanied by a student of the
Tonbak 'Nassim'. The evening came to its end with the beautiful performance of the 'Bahar'
dance group with choreography by Bahrampour.
The final evening was dedicated to Iraj Janati-Attaie. In his honour, ACI had invited his
friends and colleagues as well as two of the most famous Iranian popular artists
'Daroiush' and 'Ebi'. His poems were instrumental in their phenomenal success both before
and after the Islamic Revolution.
ACI believes that the successes and achievements of individuals must be honoured while
they are still alive. Not only rewarding, this will allow them to carry on stronger than
ever before and encourage the young generation to follow their example.
ACI would like to thank Professor Dr Nasser Kanani, Dr Mahmoud Khoshnam, Dr Mehdi Rosefid,
head of ACI Germany, and Ms Roya Kashefi, ACI's PR and international co-ordinator for
their valued support and contribution.
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The film of the conference speeches and performances is now available for
sale.
We welcome your donations and support for the publication of the book of the conference.
