Uppsala Welcomes New Guest Writer

Dr Vasmaghi is a lawyer, poet and author from Iran. She is known for her participation in the Iranian reform movement and was forced to flee due to threats and persecution.

Sedigheh Vasmaghi earned her PhD at the Tehran University and is one of few women who taught the subject of Islamic law in Iran. She is an established poet and her first poetry collection Praying for Rain in 1989. Since then she has published five collections of poetry in addition to several academic books, and translated classical Arabic poetry to Farsi.

The censorship, intimidation and threats have increased over the years because of Sedigheh Vasmaghis writing and political views. After the 2009 presidential election in Iran, she participated in the protest movement by publishing letters, poems and articles. Eventually she was forced to leave the country.

The municipality of Uppsala has been a member of ICORN since 2008. Uppsala City of Refuge has not only played a part in strengthening freedom of expression in the world but has also had great significance for the local cultural life, revitalizing the field of literature, says Eva Edwardsson of the Uppsala Cultural Committee.