culture gleams through the dust of politics

There is often a separation between people and their governments. This was elegantly demonstrated during last night’s Academy Awards, in Asghar Farhadi’s acceptance speech. Farhadi‘s A Separation won Best Foreign Language Film, whereupon he said,

“At this time, many Iranians all over the world are watching us and I imagine them to be very happy. They are happy not just because of an important award or a film or filmmaker, but because at the time when talk of war, intimidation, and aggression is exchanged between politicians, the name of their country Iran is spoken here through her glorious culture, a rich and ancient culture that has been hidden under the heavy dust of politics. I proudly offer this award to the people of my country, a people who respect all cultures and civilizations and despise hostility and resentment.”

When many politicians in the Iranian, Israeli and United States governments are crying for war, it is good to be reminded that culture can shine through the “heavy dust of politics.”

Alyssa Rosenberg writes that this award (and Farhadi’s necktie!) may make it impossible or difficult for him to return to his country. I hope it makes it more difficult for all politicians to return to war.


(original post, with links, at So May We Be)