Russian author opens up new book on Iranian history

TEHRAN,Dec.24 (MNA) -- Russian author Sergei Verevkin planned to write a book on the contemporary life of Iranians and the history of Iran. He wants to dedicate a chapter of his book to the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88). He held a conversation with the head of Tehran’s Art Bureau office for literature and art of resistance to find “authentic and reliable sources” for the book on Wednesday morning. “I can only use Russian and English sources for my writings and according to my personal experiences, I do not trust these sources. I want to have sources which tell the truth,” he told the head of Tehran’s Art Bureau office for literature and art of resistance Morteza Sarhangi. He said that his book will not be an academic treatise but it will be a book to introduce modern Iranian life and history to the average Russian citizen. “Unfortunately most of the people in Russia think that Iranians are prejudiced people who want to rule over the world so I find it necessary to publish a book to explain the reality in simple language,” he added. At the ceremony, the head of the research department of the office Alireza Kamari extended his thanks for Verevkin’s efforts to introduce Persian culture to Russians. “We are not surprised that Russians hold such views about Iranians which originates from media and cultural imperialism in the world,” Kamari said. Afterward, Sarhangi talked about the resources which are available on Iran-Iraq war saying that many of them are gathered in the form of oral history. “Our principal aim is to compile memoirs and thoughts of those who witnessed the war to make people aware of this historical event,” he added. He said that Iranians cannot disregard the war since the war was a “defensive” one in which all the people of Iran were soldiers. “It may be of interest to you that the best-selling books on the war are those which are written by Iranian women. I do believe that Iranian mothers defeated Saddam,” he said. Verevkin called “faith in God” the factory which forged the victory of Iranians during the war. Verevkin also posed many questions on the role of the army, basij and the leadership of Imam Khomeini during Iran-Iraq war.