Arash Chakeri

Arash Chakeri (1982) is an Iranian novelist, poet, singer-songwriter, and activist.

In 2003, he published his debut poetry collection of ghazals, Loneliness, without license from Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. In 2006, Chakeri’s second poetry anthology, Guitar Trees, faced censorship from the ministry, forcing him to delete a number of his poems about underground political and social activism.

Although his songs had been well-received and downloaded, Iranian security forces and authorities continued to harass Chakeri who faced escalating threats due to his call for freedom and democracy in Iran. Chakeri was attacked and arrested on numerous occasions.

In November 2013, after publishing his novel I Was Dead in which he was publicly critical of the Iranian state, Chakeri was arbitrarily detained and questioned and his novel was banned in Iran. Subsequently his song ‘Made in China’ and its critical of the Iranian government content led to further harassment.

In 2015, Arash Chakeri decided to leave Iran and became the ICORN Resident for Brussels City of Refuge between 2015 and 2017.

Publications:

1. Lonliness (2003, Farhamin Publications). A collection of sonnets.

2. Guitar Tears (2006, Shouka Publications, ISBN: 978-964-8005-30-1). A collection of modern poems.

3. Small Keys for Large Doors, (2010, ISBN: 978-964-04-6082-5). A novel focusing on the psychology of success. 

4. I Was Dead (2013, ISBN: 978-964-04-9094-5). A novel on the philosophy of existentialism.  

5. Your Interpreter (ISBN :978-964-04-9996-2). An anthology of private songs. 

6. So Much Triality. A collection of the lyrics which have been sung throughout the years, under publication.