Mehdi Mousavi
Mehdi Mousavi is a poet, writer, editor, cultural activist, and pharmacist. He has been a leading force in postmodern poetry in Iran. He has published 18 poetry collections and novels, and inspired and mentored numerous young artists through his teaching of literature at universities and colleges.
As a leading figure of contemporary Iranian poetry, Mousavi has led underground classes in literature, creative writing, philosophy, and humanities to young artists for over 16 years and continues to do so online. He has also organised literature festivals and written lyrics for Iranian singers.
Along with Fatemeh Ekhtesari, he was editor of the journal Hamin Farda Bood (It was the very tomorrow) until it was banned and closed in 2008. After being sentenced to nine years in prison and ninety-nine lashes, Mousavi managed to flee Iran in 2015.
Work and Influence
Mousavi is known for his collections of poetry, and as a leader in the “Postmodern Ghazal” movement, a radical poetry movement that challenges religious traditions. Many of his works were banned in Iran and distributed underground.
The authorities refused publication of two of his collections, Suddenly and Beeping for the Sheeps. Some of Mousavi's lyrics have been performed by Iranian singers. He has published 16 books including poetry collections, novels, and articles.
Selected Published Works
- Goofing around in front of a firing squad
- The little bird was neither a bird nor little
- The way of samurai
- She just cooks eggplant
- The angels have committed suicide
- Surrounded by mice
- The extinction of the Iranian leopard (with an extreme increase in the number of sheep)
- I only publish these for you!
- Even the house number
- Drowning in the aquarium
- I am a sky full of stars, but...
- The man who hasn't left, returns
- Conversation in Tehran (novel)
- One thousand and some nights (novel)
Arrest and Imprisonment
On 6 December 2013, Fatemeh Ekhtesari and Mehdi Mousavi had planned to travel to Turkey for a literary workshop, but they were stopped at the airport. They were told they were under a travel ban, and their passports were confiscated.
A few hours later they disappeared and did not reappear until 24 December 2014, when it was known they were in Section 2A of Evin Prison. Torture and other abuse of prisoners are common in the prison, which is controlled by the Intelligence Division of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.
On 14 January 2014, Ekhtesari and Mousavi were released on bail. Their lawyer said Mousavi was sentenced to:
- Six years in prison for “insulting the holy sanctities”
- Three years in prison for “storing tear gas”
- 99 lashes for “illicit relations”
Recent Work
Mousavi’s most recent publication is the novel One thousand and some nights (2021), written in the form of a “frame story” as a parody of the famous tale A thousand and one nights.
In 2017, he was welcomed as an ICORN writer in residence by the Norwegian city of Lillehammer.
