UPDATE: Persian Literature as (a) World Literature (6/1/07; journal issue)
Please note: the deadline for this issue has been extended to June 1. The
issue will be launched July 1.
Persian Literature as (a) World Literature
Controlling Question: The usage(s) of and relationship(s) between the terms
"Persian" and "Iranian" in current discourse-literary, cultural, political
and otherwise-is a complex one, with each term simultaneously concealing and
revealing highly contested and politicized positions regarding the nature of
cultural, national and personal identities. The literature produced within
the space(s) defined by these positions dates back to at least the 10th
century, when Ferdowsi composed the Shahnameh using almost no Arabic loan
words, an act of literary subversion that almost single-handedly resurrected
Persian as a literary language in the face of what had been Arabic's
dominance. Today, the literature being produced within these spaces is
written in (or translated into) many languages other than Persian, in
countries far beyond the borders of the ancient Persian Empire, and by
people whose connections to whatever is defined by the terms "Persian"
and/or "Iranian" are anything but monolithic. Is it fair, then, to call this
literature a world literature? What are the implications of doing so? What
are the implications of choosing not to do so?
Co-sponsored by Persian Arts Festival (www.persianartsfestival.org), a
special edition of ArteNews
(www.arteeast.org/artenews/arteeast-artenews.html), the online journal
published by ArteEast (www.arteeast.org), will be devoted to this question.
We are soliciting submissions in the following categories:
1. Essays of 1,000-1,500 words in response to any aspect of the
controlling question.
2. Essays of 1,000-1,500 words that address any other aspect of
Persian/Iranian literature.
3. Poetry: 3-5 poems, including translations from any historical
period, that fall within the space(s) defined by the controlling question.
The poems need not have been written originally in English, but any
non-English poems must be accompanied by strong, literary, English
translations. Translators must show proof of the right to publish the
translations.
4. Short stories or memoirs, using the same guidelines as for poetry,
of between 1,000-1,5000 words.
Submission Deadline: June 1, 2007.
Send submissions to: Richard Jeffrey Newman, guest editor,
richardjeffreynewman_at_verizon.net.
Please put the words ArteNews Submission in the subject heading.
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Received on Fri Apr 13 2007 - 16:22:55 EDT