TEHRAN -- The Iranian literary bimonthly Bokhara paid tribute to the writer and satirist Manuchehr Ehterami at Tehran’s Iranian Artists Forum on Tuesday night.

Ali Dehbashi, managing director of the bimonthly, referring to past programs which had been held by Bokhara, said that it was their policy to honor and highlight both native and international figures. He went on to say, “Ehterami is now 66 years old. He has undertaken a great deal of work in the field of children’s literature and satire. He has written about 50 books for children and young adults but the series “Hassani” is the most famous and best-selling. “He is now writing for a wide readership; however his children’s books are still favored by many. Though Ehterami has never married, he has many children who have lived and smiled through his books.” Researcher of satirical literature, Roya Sadr also made a speech elaborating on Ehterami’s works. She said, “Ehterami taught us how to look for innovation in satirical works and avoid repetition. We learnt that writing such works requires research. Ehterami knows words and their value, and places every word in its right place like a jewel.” Writer of children stories, Hushang Moradi Kermani was the next participant to talk about Ehterami’s works. Kermani, after paying tribute to past satirists including Omran Salahi and Kiumars Saberi, recited a satirical story which he had written portraying Ehterami in the character of a child who fears going to an honoring ceremony. Cartoonist Kambiz Derambaksh, an old friend of Ehterami, also made a speech saying, “Persistence has been the key to his success and he has managed to keep his works distinctive. Another of his excellent characteristics is that he always attends ceremonies despite the pressure of his work, and this also is an encouragement to others.” Gholamali Latifi, the cartoonist and illustrator of Ehterami’s works noted, “Ehterami and I have been working together for 40 years on children’s books. Ehterami composed the poetry and I did the illustrations. “Ehterami has a folkloric attitude to children’s books. After the first story of Hassani, this character became an emblem for his other works.” Ehterami spoke last saying, “I have always liked to decrease my ignorance and I have always been sorry that we don’t have a life as long as Noah in which to read and learn. “I used to stand beside Latifi for hours to learn how he painted. I learned satirical works this way and also through personal experience.” Ehterami concluded by reciting one of the stories from the “Hassani” series