A gathering called “Age of Translation” organized by the Iranian Writers Association for Friday February 27 was cancelled by the authorities one hour before it was scheduled to begin.
A statement by the association indicates: “One hour prior to the program, a security official arrived at the hall and informed us that the gathering should not take place.”
The association’s cultural commission had rented the hall of a restaurant for its literary gathering “Age of Translation”. The report indicates that when the doors of the restaurant were closed to the attendees and guest speakers, they gathered in front of the closed doors and engaged in discussions.
The “Age of Translation” was first planned as a gathering at the home of one of the association members in January, but the member was called to the Ministry of Intelligence one day before the gathering and told to cancel it.
In September, despite continued obstacles, the writer’s association held its first general meeting in 12 years at a private location in Tehran. Many members from across the country attended the session and elected board members.
The culture ministry has said that for the association to resume open activity, it must alter its constitution to sever any connection to the people’s history of civil struggles.
