56. Malu Halasa on Picturing Resistance: Art and Activism in the Iranian Women's Movement

Send us Fan MailMalu Halasa is the editor of Woman Life Freedom. Voices and Art from the Women's Protests in Iran published by Saqi Books.Jina Mahsa Amini’s death at the hands of Iran’s Morality Police on 16 September 2022 sparked widespread protests across the country. Women took to the streets, uncovering their hair, burning headscarves and chanting ‘Woman Life Freedom’ – ‘Zan Zendegi Azadi’ in Persian and ‘Jin Jîyan Azadî’ in Kurdish – in mass demonstrations.  An explosion of creative resistance followed as art and photography shared online went viral and people around the world saw what was really going on in Iran. Woman Life Freedom captures this historic moment in artwork and first-person accounts.Join us on a nail-biting  journey through the lives of courageous Iranian women with the seasoned Middle East expert, Malu Halasa.  In this  episode of the Rebel Justice podcast, we bask in the  beautiful pages of Malu's groundbreaking book, Woman Life Freedom, shedding light on the resilience and resistance of these women against oppressive laws. From the veil of anonymity to the tumultuous political landscape, we explore the many layers that make up their powerful narrative. In the second half of this podcast, we challenge the boundaries of traditional feminism, as we uncover how the Iranian Woman Life Freedom movement is redefining the concept, transforming it into a potent embodiment of choice and self-expression. You don't want to miss our exploration of the vivid artwork by Meysam Azarzad, replete with symbolism and quotes from the 10th-century poet Ferdowsi. This episode is not just a conversation about women's rights or social movements; it's a profound exploration into the heart of Iranian culture and the defiant voices that echo within. Tune in for an unforgettable audio adventure into  the colours and culture of Iran.Support the showFor more unmissable content from The View sign up here