SOLIDARITY EVENING

Event at the Schauspielhaus Bochum theater on the situation of the civilian population in Iran

On February 15, a solidarity evening for the people of Iran took place at the Schauspielhaus Bochum theater. Under the title “Ein Herz in meiner Faust (A Heart in My Fist),” numerous visitors gathered in the Oval Office to show their support for those fighting for freedom and human rights in Iran. Dr. Tim Karis, scientific director of CERES, also participated in the event as a moderator and contributed perspectives from religious studies.

The event combined artistic contributions, readings, and music with a moderated panel discussion on the current situation in Iran. The aim was to create a space for solidarity and exchange. “We are shocked by the brutality with which the Iranian regime is cracking down on its own people and want to create a space of solidarity where we can listen to each other, exchange ideas, be together, and offer comfort and strength,” explained Angela Obst, deputy director of the Schauspielhaus Bochum, in the run-up to the event.

Scientific perspectives on protest and religion

In a panel discussion with former CERES visiting scholar Dr. Maryam Palizban, who is also an author, actress, and director, CERES Managing Director Dr. Tim Karis assessed the current protest movements in Iran and discussed the complex interrelationships between religion, politics, and social change. It became clear that solidarity events such as this one not only have symbolic significance, but also open up spaces for information, reflection, and transnational solidarity.

The evening was accompanied by numerous artistic contributions. Performers included Helia Bali, Iwona Gadzala, Afshin Ghavami Kivi, Faezeh Mojahedtalab, Benjamin Stein, and Alper Adem Yilmaz. Members of the Schauspielhaus Bochum ensemble – including Danai Chatzipetrou, William Cooper, Linde Dercon, Mara Romei, and Payam Yazdani – also took part with readings and performances. Afterwards, visitors had the opportunity to continue their conversations and make new contacts over Persian food in the Tanas theater restaurant in the foyer of the Kammerspiele.

Media attention for solidarity events

Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) had already reported on the planned event in advance and placed it in a broader context. A radio report not only highlighted the solidarity evening at the Schauspielhaus Bochum, but also discussed the role of cultural institutions in Germany in supporting the Iranian protest movement. The report from the radio program Westart on February 13 highlights the importance of artistic and social solidarity formats for raising awareness, promoting exchange, and increasing political sensitivity.

The WDR report is available here: https://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/audio/wdr/westart/audio-iran-soli-veranstaltungen-in-der-theaterszene-100.html