 rostam
a window to Iran and to the world
A R C H I V E Archive
A cosmopolitan Iranian looks at current events in Iran and beyond:
Located half-way between West and East, and influenced by its ancient Persian heritage as well as the dominant religion in the country, for decades Iran has been struggling with its schizophrenic identity. Tradition or Modernity? Is there a third way out?
Which direction are we moving to? Today, a new generation of young Iranians is shaping the future of the country. Many observers believe that Iranian youth and women are forces of change in the country--changes that will have implications beyond Iran, throughout the region or perhaps around the globe. In addition to these recurrent themes, you will read about my own trivial pursuits and interests, music, culture, movies, and etc. After all, life goes on, whether you live in East or West! See the world through the eyes of a young Iranian!
Yesterday This Day's Madness did prepare To-morrow's Silence, Triumph, or Despair: Drink! for you not know whence you came, nor why; Drink! for you know not why you go, no where. -From Rubaiyat by Omar-Khayyam (c. 1110 A.D.) *Title painting: "La joie de vivre" by Pablo Picasso  Wednesday, January 01, 2003
Music: East and West
Shahin, an Iranian-American musician talks about his recent trip to Iran ("An Iranian musician's homecoming"). A few interesting thoughts and observations. But, his reference to his "affinity to the western way of life and the western ideology" is not very precise. Even in the States, mid-Western way of life is very different from that of East-coast or West-coast, and let's not get into very different ways of life in the US and Europe (or even Canada for that matter). Even worse: "Western ideology"! Is he talking about liberal democracy? He reminded me of a recent speech by Francis Fukuyama (author of the controversial book The End of History and the Last Man ) entitled "Does the West Still Exist?" Of course, Fukuyama was talking from a more political and international relations point of view. Well, I wanted to write about East-West music, but I'll leave that for tomorrow (may be!).
Posted at 1:48 PM
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