We will gather once a month to open a space for dialogue about what is happening in Iran. The evening will consist of a lecture by Kristin Soraya Batmanghelichi, professor of Middle Eastern studies and feminist researcher, followed by open dialogue.

Theme this afternoon: From polarization to democratic coexistence.

Democracy is the fruit of dialogue.
To listen. To tolerate complexity and disagreement. To see nuances and accommodate different perspectives.

We are in a historic time where, more than ever, we need to practice democratic coexistence in a highly polarized climate.

True dialogue occurs when we enter the conversation with an open mind, without looking to “win.” We bring our preconceptions, but we are also willing to move toward a deeper, dialectical understanding.

For a few moments, we put aside the weapons of judgment.
and try to see the world through each other's eyes,
even when we don't agree.

During the evening there will be beautiful music with Navaye Flokkr and Khalid Laaouam.
We will finish with a light serving of Iranian finger food and mingling.

Come and bring your thoughts and reflections.

About the participants:

Kristin Soraya Batmanghelichi is a professor of Middle Eastern Studies and a feminist scholar specializing in Iranian studies. Her research focuses on women's movements, sexuality, and gendered publics in Iran and the Middle East, with a particular focus on digital activism and feminist counter-publics. She is the author of Revolutionary Bodies: Technologies of Gender, Sex, and Self in Contemporary Iran (Bloomsbury, 2021).

Navaye Flokkr is a Persian/Norwegian musical duo consisting of Kiana and Ole who fuse folk music while creating their own music.

Khalid Laaouam is a Moroccan musician who combines tradition and modernity, inspired by Gnawa and Issawa music. He plays the saxophone, guembri, clarinet and several traditional Moroccan instruments.