An introduction to Oral history of Iranian Architecture

An introduction to Oral history of Iranian Architecture
By Seyedeh Mitra Hashemi
First edition: 22014
Rowzaneh Publications

The book “An Introduction to Oral History of Iranian Architecture” has been released by Rowzaneh Publications and will soon be distributed in book stores.
It has been written by Seyedeh Mitra Hashemi, and Mehrdad Qayoumi Bid’hendi has written an introduction in the beginning of the book. He in this commentary deals with the root of the word “history” in Persian language and its compositions in the role of noun governing the genitive, noun and referent, then has analyzed the lexicology of oral history and architecture, and at the end of his commentary says, “The present book is the first one written about the oral history of Iranian architecture and even among a few in the world regarding oral history of architecture.” He has also considered the book as a useful source for the researchers of architectural history. A more detailed introduction will be presented about the book in the future.
Seyedeh Mitra Hashemi is the scientific writer and editor of Kashan’s Culture Foundation. She has MA in the Studies of Iranian Architecture from Shahid Beheshti University, and BA in Architecture from Iranian Science and Industry University. It is worth noting that the interested people were informed of the defense thesis presentation of this young researcher in Shahrivar 1390 solar hijri (August 2011) entitled “Oral History in Iranian Architecture: An Introduction to Practical and Theoretical Discussions” for receiving MA in the field of Studies of Iranian Architecture in the Architectural and Urban College of Shahid Beheshti University. She also participated in the 7th Expert Meeting of Oral History held in Bahman 90 (January 2012) in Majlis (parliament) Library. She has also written an article in the issue 100 of Oral History Weekly.
Bibliography in the list of National bibliography
The book’s list has two sections and six chapters
1st section: Oral history of Iranian architecture in theory
Chapter 1: Definition
Chapter 2: Benefits and Necessity
Chapter 3: Background
2nd section: Oral History of Iranian architecture in deed
Chapter 4: Collection of information
Chapter 5: Processing and Archive
Chapter: Compilation and Explanation
List of Sources
Index
After referring to the definition of oral history and its antiquity in Iran, the writer in the foreword has dealt with the reasons and circumstances of the book’s chapters, explaining briefly about every section. In the concluding part, she has appreciated Dr. Qayoumi, Mr. Alireza Kamari and Dr. Kianoush Kiani and other associates. In the book’s back cover, a note says, “Oral history is a new branch of history which has been welcomed by the Iranians during the recent decades. Despite the activity of various institutions in this regard, the theoretical and practical principles of oral history in Iran are less compiled and clear in Iran. Oral history is based on the historical information which is in the people’s memoirs. The significance of the treasury of oral information doubles in the history of Iranian architecture in which rare written documents and the remaining material works have undergone changes and destruction. The significance of architectural history, however have so far been ignored while oral sources will destroy and it is not so late when those who have valuable information about Iran’s past architecture will go from this world and deprive us from what they have in chest.
The present book is a reflection in theoretical and practical discussions of oral history and the oral history of Iranian architecture, and an initial step for preserving the valuable evidence. In the first section, the book deals with the definition of oral history and the oral history of Iranian architecture, and its significance, benefits and necessity, and the background of oral history and oral history of architecture in the world and Iran. In the second one, it studies the practical discussions of oral history of Iranian architecture ranging from interview and collection of information to processing and archive and the measuring of the credit of oral history evidence and finally the compiling of historical narration.

Translated By: Mohammad Bagher Khoshnevisan