PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE
In Persian with English subtitles.
Running time: 75 minutes
Children’s Song Writer presents the life, literary and cultural efforts and accomplishments of Abbas Yamini Sharif (1919-1989), a pioneer in the development of children’s literature in Iran. The documentary depicts Sharif’s experiences with traditional as well as newly founded elementary schools, his memories of his acquaintance with Farrokhi Yazdi (the criticizing political poet from the end of the Qajar and early Pahlavi times), his childhood passion for poetry and the growth of his interest in children’s literature in his youth. In 1953 Sharif traveled to the United States to attend Columbia University, where he studied Early Childhood Education. In 1954, he established one of the first private schools (Ravesheno School) based in modern method in Iran. in 1954. In addition, he played a key role in forming the first magazines for children, establishing the first Children’s Club in Tehran and cooperating with the first children’s radio programs with the support of Davood Pirnia and Radio program performers, Sima Bina, Alice, Bella and Nicole Alvandi, Fazlolah Mohtadi, and Sobhi. Songs and music from his poetry create an attractive and jubilant atmosphere throughout the film.
Homan Yamini Sharif grew with his father’s poetry and stories in elementary school textbooks, children's books and magazines. He was among the first group of students at the Ravesheno Schools that was founded by his father in 1955. Homan established the Abbas Yamini Sharif foundation, and in cooperation with the Children’s Book Council of Iran sponsors the annual Abbas Yamini Sharif’s Literary Award for Children’s Poetry in Iran. He manages the Ravesheno Publications that publishes his father's works. He is the producer of the documentary film Children's Song Writer, Life and Work of Abbas Yamini Sharif. He has an Engineering degree from Purdue University, and lives in Irvine California.
Mehrdad Haghighi holds a journalism degree from Osmania University in India and a print engineering degree from Sidat College in India. He has been a member of the Children’s Publishing Trust of India (1970-1974) and served as publisher of Touca, a children's magazine periodical in Iran (1980-2000). Currently he serves as the publisher of Hamsayegan newspaper and works for KIRN (670 AM) radio station in the news department.
Mahdokht Sanati received her MA from the University of Tehran in Educational Counseling. She attained post-graduate level training in pre-school education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her literary work for children started at Franklin Publications and its children’s magazine, Peyk. Ms. Sanati has first-hand experience working with women and children in rural areas of Iran. In 1994 she co-founded Society For Protection of Children’s Rights in collaboration with Shirin Ebadi. She is the author and translator of several children’s books, some of which were the recepient of the Book of the Year Award. Ms. Sanati was an active board member of the Children’s Book Council for many years alongside Mr. Abbas Yamini Sharif.
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Cost : free and open to the public
JohannaRomero
310-825-1181
romero@international.ucla.edu Click
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Sponsor(s): Center for Near Eastern Studies, Program of Iranian Studies, With the Support of the Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar Chair in Iranian Studies