Kanoon Institute - Empress Farah Pahlavi

Acknowledgement to Darius Kadivar for having brought this to attention.

************

Shahbanou Farah speaks about the activities of the Kanoon Institute and the people who contributed to it's enhancements including Mrs. Lili Amir Arjomand one of the directors of the Institute for Intellectual development of Children.

Documentary on Kanoon (1965)

A documentary film about the early years of Iran's Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (better known as Kanoon) Founded by Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi in 1965. Language: English and Persian, Voice Over: Manoutchehr Anvar.

About Kanoon: Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adult:

Official Website Here

In consequence of about four decades of active presence in the field of production of cultural commodities such as books, audio tapes, films and toys, IIDCYA is regarded by Iranian schoolchildren, teachers and parents as a trustworthy name; the brand of "Kanoon" is a guarantee of quality of the product. IIDCYA's official status and its numerous branches all over the country, along with the production of attractive, healthy and relevant products for all age groups, have caused these products to be well-received in educational and family circles.

From the time of its founding in 1961, by Shabanou Farah Pahlavi through production of artistic works, and organizing festivals, discussion panels, competitions and various conferences, as well as a variety of practical measures and consulting services, IIDCYA has answered an extensive part of the cultural and developmental needs of the children and young adults of our country. All this has been carried out in two main directions: activities "for children" addressing children and young adults directly, and activities "about children" with the purpose of promoting the knowledge of adults about the peculiarities of world of children. With a high average annual statistics in the fields of production of books, tapes and toys and a considerable investment in the fields of recreational and literary activities, these colossal task of culture-making and consolidation of cultural infrastructure is being pursued. 519 libraries and cultural centers with more than 2000 tutors throughout the country help to realize these goals.

Cinematic Affairs of IIDCYA is one of the main departments of the organization. Its brilliant achievements in the field of production ofanimation, documentary and fiction films, is such that not only in Iran, but also on international level, the look of "Kanoon" is recognized. The high international prestige of Iranian cinema today is indebted to filmmakers who started their work and grew in Kanoon or made some of their best works there: Such as Abbas Kiarostami, Bahram Beyzai or Majid Majidi.

The success of Children of Heaven in many International festivals and its candidacy for the Best Foreign Language Film of academy awards(Oscar) in 1999, was a significant achievement for Kanoon productions.

Because of this outstanding background and unrelented production of animation films in "Kanoon", its name has been on the top of the list of independent producers of excellent and unforgettable animation works. Since 1970, when first animations of "Kanoon" were produced, 180 animation films have been produced there and almost all of them have regarded artistic and noteworthy works of art in internal and international festivals. This, and also the need to exhibit and independently analyze the animation films produced by other state and private producers throughout the country in a systematic manner, holding of an international animation festival became part of the agenda of "Kanoon". The inaugural festival was held in February 1999 and it is scheduled to be held biennially afterwards.

Iranian child prisoner on death row's artwork

On Sunday, December 09, 2007, Reza Alinejad's older brother, Ali, contacted human rights lawyer, Lily Mazahery, via email and included photos of four pieces of artwork that Reza has produced from prison. In these pieces, Reza conveys his pain as a child prisoner on death row, and questions the justice system that has condemned him to death for accidentally killing a man in self-defense.

In December 2002, when Reza was only 17 years old, he and his friend were physically attacked -- without provocation ¡V by a group of men, one of whom was carrying deadly weapons. The boys were severely beaten and injured by their attackers. In an attempt to fend off his attackers and protect himself and his friend, Reza pulled out a pocket knife, and tried to ward off the attackers. As Reza struggled with his attackers in this manner, he accidentally stabbed one of them with the knife, ultimately resulting in the man's death.

Despite testimony from eyewitnesses stating that Reza was acting in self defense and that the stabbing was purely accidental, a judge in Iran's Fars province found the teenager guilty of murder, and sentenced him to death by hanging.

However, the court's ruling is in violation of international laws and standards, including the Covenant on the Right of the Child (CRC), to which the Islamic Republic of Iran is a signatory. The CRC expressly prohibits the execution of individuals for acts or crimes committed before the age of majority. Because the IRI has accepted to abide by the governing international rules and treaties, it is prohibited from sentencing Reza to death for acting in self-defense when he was only 17 years old.

With the assistance of Reza's family, and Mohamad Mostafaei, one of the attorneys representing Reza in Iran, human rights lawyer, Lily Mazahery, initiated an international campaign to save Reza from execution. The campaign includes an internet-based petition that demands commutation of Reza's sentence and describes the circumstances of the case.

Last week, in a separate email to Ms. Mazahery, the Alinejad family announced that Iran's head of judiciary, Ayatollah Shahroudi, has ordered mediation between the Alinejad family and that of the decedent. If the decedent's family agrees to accept a certain sum of "blood money" (Diyeh) from the Alinejads, Reza will be able to escape execution and will return to his family to begin a new life away from the horrors of prison.

Additional information about Reza Alinejad may be found on a website set up by Reza's family and friends: www.HelpReza.com

Click HERE to view Reza's other artwork from prison.

Related Information:

Amnesty International Urgent Action Alert for Reza Alinejad

HelpReza Blog (Farsi and English)

Transcript of Mino Hemati's Interview with Dr. Alinejad, Reza's father

Kamangir's entry on the recent execution of a child prisoner

Guiv - a talented and patriotic Iranian child

A few entries down you saw my entry on the Islamization of Iran and one of the youngest victims of this vicious anti-Iranian process. The videoclip of the brainwashed Iranian child imitating a mullah (Islamic religious leader) is very disturbing. If it is not for these very children of our motherland and future generations to come that we are in this cause for then what is it....

The Islamic Republic is an anti-Iranian terrorist Islamic regime that has to go - I cannot stress this enough. If you are an Iranian you have a patriotic duty - a duty to your country and countrymen. A duty to protect Iran and Iranians from all evil. Evil reigns in Iran today. Compatriot, never seize in carrying out your patriotic duty!

Having said that i'd like to present Guiv, a talented Iranian child who is denied to live in his occupied homeland but yet sings, at his young age, for the love of his country. One day not to far away all Iranian children will be as in touch with their heritage and love their country, above all else, the way Guiv does.

God bless this young talent.

Soroode Keshvaram Iran - By Guiv




CLICK HERE for a link to this clip and more clips by Guiv.


END POST