A number of Iranian writers attended the event which also honored the memory of the victims of recent earth quakes in the country’s East Azarbaijan Province.
Amir-Hassan Cheheltan, Alireza Bahrami, Asadollah Amraei were among the literary figures who took part in the ceremony.
Today we honor the 50th anniversary of the publication of Mahmoud Dowlatabi’s first book, said Alireza Bahrami adding that the veteran writer could be the figure to represent Iran in the world.
Born in 1940, Dowlatabadi is known as a realist writer of rural life, in which he largely draws on his own experiences. He joined the Anahita Drama Group in 1961 and was an actor until 1974.
The veteran Iranian writer started writing in the 1960s and published several novels, novellas, short story collections and plays. His first story, The Pite of Night, was published in 1962 in the Anahita literary magazine.
Dowlatabadi's other significant works include his 1968 novel The Tale of Baba Sobhan, which was made into a motion picture by Masoud Kimiai and his magnum opus, Kalidar, which he wrote between 1977 and 1984.
His Colonel was nominated for the 2011 man Asian Literary Prize.
“Dowlatabadi’s works are nothing but himself, his past and his memories,” said award-winning Iranain writer Amir-Hassan Cheheltan in a speech. “He is a writer who does not hide himself in his works.”
Mahmoud Dowlatabi delivered a speech during a ceremony to extend his condolences in the wake of two powerful earthquakes in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan that killed more than 300 people and injured over 3,037 others.
He also held a book signing session, meeting and chatting with fans who had travelled from different towns and cities to take part in the ceremony and meet their favorite author.
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