Der neue Bereich unseres Portals macht es sich zum Anliegen, die internationalen Literaturszenen Berlins zu kartographieren, die handelnden Personen und ihre Schauplätze sichtbar und zugänglich zu machen. 
Die Entstehung der Rubrik wurde durch eine Förderung des Hauptstadtkulturfonds ermöglicht. 

Bahram Moradi

Author

Profile

Born: 26.9.1960
Birthplace: Broujerd
Country of birth: Iran
Lives in: Berlin, Tiergarten


Language: Persian
Working language: Persian

Vita

Bahram Moradi got in contact with theater when he was fifteen years old, and then performed in many plays. During the revolution in Iran in 1978, he became a member of a left party. He founded a theater group, wrote many plays, performed, and directed. In 1982, during a performance of one of his plays, he and his whole group were arrested right at the stage because of criticizing the government, and he was imprisoned for two years. After being released he was prohibited to continue working at the theater. He had to escape just a few years later. In Germany, he concentrated on writing stories and novels. After being published twice in Iran, he didn’t get permit for another novel. Because of the absurd and far reaching censorship of the authorities he decided to stop publishing books in Iran. He lives and works in Berlin since 1994.

6 Questions

What brought you to Berlin? Love? World politics? Or was it a coincidence?

What brought me to Berlin are the nationwide aggressive politics of Iran’s government against differently minded people.


What do you love about Berlin?

Berlin is easy going, diverse and colorful because of the nearly 120 nations that mostly feel at home here. That’s why I love Berlin and: I feel at home here.


What do you miss in Berlin?

Sometimes I miss smells, colors, atmosphere, things, you cannot see but feel… and which I probably took in at different places in the world.


What is your favorite spot in Berlin?

I constantly find new beautiful places in Berlin. One of my favorite spots: Along the Spree between Hauptbahnhof and Schloss Bellevue.


Would you say you are a different person in Berlin? A different translator? And if yes, in what way?

I must admit that I really became a different person here: cosmopolitan and tolerant. I write in a way I find is right; without self-censorship or censorship by society — which certainly would not be possible in my home country.


Which existing literary work do you wish you had written?

I dreamt of writing about social decay caused by the revolution in Iran for years now. A first draft is done already and I hope to publish it next year.

Awards

2006  Nomination for „Der Mann unter dem Baum auf der Straßenseite gegenüber“ as the best volume of stories of the year by the „Golshiri Foundation“.
2003  Best volume of stories of the year for the book „Gelächter im Haus der Einsamkeit“ by the „Golshiri Foundation“
Best volume of stories of the year for the book „Gelächter…“ by the „Die Pressekritiker“.
1982  Best text and directing of the theater play „Die Verlorengegangene“ at the National Theater Festival „Halbmond“ in Isfahan/Iran

Work

Publications in original language

The Vigilante

H&S media/ London/ England, 2017 novel

Gelächter im Haus der Einsamkeit

Akhtaran Publication/ Tehran/ Iran, 2002 volume of stories

Auf der Jagd nach dem Augenblick

Selbstverlag/ Köln, 1993 volume of stories

Der Mann unter dem Baum auf der Straßenseite gegenüber

Caravan Publication/ Tehran/ Iran, 2005 Erzählband

Ein Berg Rosen für den Braunen

Baran Publishing/ Spånga/ Schweden, 2000 volume of stories