Review of the Book Matbakh: Memoirs of the Freed Iranian Prisoner of War, Baba-Ali (Sabzali) Ramezanpour

Life in Tikrit Camp No. 12

"From the signboards, I realized they were taking us to Basra. Like a long train, we entered the city. I assumed they wanted to showcase us as a spectacle, to boast that they had captured many prisoners. The people stood on both sides of the street, spitting upon us.

The Unique Position of the Iranian Oral History Website

The topic of "oral history" has only recently become a significant concern among historians in Iran, sparking numerous discussions about its importance and various dimensions. The necessity of addressing this subject has now become evident—especially in today’s world, where, for various reasons, there is an unprecedented and often covert battle between competing narratives.

A Brief Reference

It is generally preferable to have direct and immediate knowledge of an event rather than rely on indirect information. This preference stems from the trustworthiness and accuracy of firsthand experience. When it comes to specific historical events, however, the importance of direct knowledge becomes even greater. This is especially true because such information is meant to be passed down to future generations, helping ...

Clarifying the Current Situation; Perspectives of the Oral History Website

The definition of a “journalist” and the profession of “journalism” is not limited to simply “gathering,” “editing,” and “publishing breaking news.” Such an approach aligns more with the work done in news agencies and news websites. But now, after years of working in the field of books for various news agencies, newspapers, and magazines, when I look back, I realize that producing and compiling content for ...

The Oral History Weekly; A New Window

The ups and downs of everyday life sometimes cause me to forget certain duties and missions, including oral history—especially its form related to the Holy Defense! But when Wednesday comes and I receive an issue of the Oral History weekly journal, a new window opens before me. Each title, article, viewpoint, and memory becomes a chapter for reflection in that realm. Although the scientific aspect of the journal is useful to me, its psychological value improves my mood even more.

The Days Long Past of this Tale

I go back to the earliest “oral” stories—when we played aunty games in the courtyard, in the corner of the porch. One day, quite unintentionally, I overheard a conversation between Mom and Miss. Balakhanem, our neighbor from years ago. At that time, there were barely enough television channels to count on one hand, and I remember that the series Madame Kouri was broadcast on Wednesdays.

Oral History’s Deadlocks

Today, oral history is regarded as one of the research tools attracting the attention of contemporary historians and even interdisciplinary studies. Just as these sources can be trusted, the opposite is also true. Oral history researchers face challenges during their investigations that sometimes lead to dead-ends in analyzing events. Although some oral historians, after years of interviewing, do not consider oral history data alone as fully accepted, they strive to present ...

Structure of Oral History Weekly

Oral history has become one of the most important fields of historical study over the past two decades. Various institutions and organizations, including non-governmental groups and individuals, have actively contributed to its development. Publishing 689 weekly issues focused on specialized topics in history—particularly war history—by the Arts Center is no small feat.

Towards the Thousandth Issue

The specialized Oral History Weekly, with the publication of its 700th issue, has taken a significant step in recording and documenting the living narratives of contemporary Iranian history. This weekly, recognized as one of the authoritative references in the field of oral history, has succeeded through continuous effort and scientific accuracy in preserving an important part of the memories and historical events of the country, especially regarding two pivotal events:

The Oral History Website and Its Position

Media, guided by their specific priorities and thematic frameworks, serve as platforms for spreading information, ideas, thoughts, and messages, as well as supporting new scientific findings, with the ultimate aim of expanding and elevating awareness among diverse audiences. Both traditional and modern media constitute foundational pillars of human communication, capable of fostering interaction and dialogue across various segments of society.