For decades, lovers of literature would gather at the house of writer Amir Hassan Cheheltan's family to debate classical Persian works – until politics forced its way into the readers' cocoon. By Gerrit Wustmann
The death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iran's "guardians of morality" is only the latest, tragic example – in a neverending chain of state repression and excessive police violence. Essay by Iranian writer Amir Hassan Cheheltan
Amir Hassan Cheheltan's historical narratives from the Arab world continue in Egypt, with an astoundingly ambivalent ambassador on a sweltering mission. Kristina Maidt-Zinke read the book
Amir Hassan Cheheltan has not published a novel in Iran in 15 years. The 62-year-old author does intend to refrain from writing either about politics or eroticism, as censorship in Iran prescribes. In Europe, meanwhile, his works are enjoying increasing popularity. Eight books by Cheheltan have already been published in German. Interview by Nasrin Bassiri