The ceremony, held in recognition of the 13th anniversary of the association’s founding and Ahmadi’s 70th birthday, was attended by several artists including Hushang Kamkar, Shahram Nazeri, Nureddin Zarrinkelk and Davud Rashidi.
Ahmadi was unable to attend the ceremony due to a severe illness but spoke briefly to the audience by telephone.
At the ceremony, a biopic on Ahmadi “All of my Colored Pencils” directed by Ebrahim Haqiqi went on screen.
In the documentary, Ahmadi said that his only wish is “publication of his books during his lifetime.” He said that he has 15 books ready for publication.
Ahmadi, who is renowned as a veteran poet, mentioned in the film that it took a long time for him to establish himself as a “children’s writer”. He has been nominated by Iran for the 2011 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
After the film’s screening, he expressed over the telephone his hope for improvement in his work and to die in the country where he was born in.
Rashidi also spoke at the ceremony, recalling memories of experiences he had with Ahmadi and Amir Naderi.
At the ceremony, children’s writer Fereydun Amuzadeh-Khalili called Ahmadi’s stories “full of life” and wondered whether or not the sad little boy in Ahmadi’s stories is Ahmadreza.
Poet and researcher Javad Mohaqqeq pointed to a letter that poetess Forugh Farrokhzad wrote to Ahmadi several years ago in which she advised him to distance himself from the ivory towers of intellectuals.
“Ahmadreza has a melodious Kermani accent and his heart is vast like the Kerman desert. I hope he lives happily with his family for many more years,” poetess and children’s author Afsaneh Shabanejad mentioned.
At the end of the ceremony, a film on the Children’s Writers Association was broadcast after which some members spoke about the association’s establishment on this occasion of its anniversary.
source:mehr