Tehran’s Book City Institute commemorates Sadeq Tabatabai

TEHRAN -- Tehran’s Book City Institute hosted a ceremony to commemorate the first anniversary of the passing of Iranian academic and politician, Sadeq Tabatabai (1943-2015), on Monday.

Attending the ceremony were some high-ranking cultural officials including Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati, Managing Director of Etelaat Persian Newspaper Hojjatoleslam Mahmud Doai and Iranian maestro Loris Tjeknavorian.

Pointing to the number of books written by Tabatabai, Jannati said that works by the late Tabatabai, especially his social and political memoirs, are quite valuable for the society.

He added, “Over the past few years, I met with him in my office a few times concerning the publication of his books, such as the [Persian translation of] the book “The Disappearance of Childhood” by [American author] Neil Postman.

“He also had very good ideas and projects for children and young adults. He had political, social and cultural roles and I hope his moderation will spread in the society and his works will be published more and more,” he added.

Tjeknavorian also talked about his pleasant memories of Tabatabai and said, “It is hard for me to talk about an individual who was an ocean full of colorful islands: music, literature, culture and politics. I believe he was a rainbow full of different colors. 

“We could talk with him about music for hours. He had a good knowledge of dastgahs. He has left a lasting impression in the society and will remain in hearts and minds forever,” he explained.

In the music of Iran, a set of notes, their special characteristics, and an associated group of traditional melodies that constitute a basis for an improvisational performance is called a dastgah.

Born in 1943, Tabatabai was the son of Ayatollah Mohammad-Baqer Tabatabai. He was a university lecturer at the University of Tehran and also served as Iran’s deputy prime minister from 1979 to 1980. He also served as the spokesman of the revolutionary government formed in the wake of the Islamic Revolution’s victory in 1979.

Photo: A man holds a photo of Sadeq Tabatabai during a meeting that Tehran’s Book City Institute held on February 22, 2016 to commemorate the first anniversary of the passing of the prominent academic and politician. (Mehr/Mohammad Moheimani)

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