Self-exiled poet covers Iran protests as a 'war correspondent in verse'

Against terrifying odds — and away from most of the world's earshot — young Iranians have taken to the streets, week after week, calling for the downfall of the cleric-led regime.

"Women, life, liberty," has become their rallying cry. Their plea to the rest of the world: "Be our voice."

Under the pen name Bänoo Zan, a self-exiled Iranian Canadian poet has long made it her concern to report on the injustices Iranians live with daily. She describes her role as a "war correspondent in verse."

"Who we are is not what happens to us, it's how we go through these things emotionally and artistically," she said in an interview with CBC Radio's IDEAS.

In a body of work that spans more than 200 poems and poetry-related pieces, and three books, Zan is making a name by giving voice to the experience of exile, and that of Iranians at home, especially women, chafing under the strict rule of the Islamic republic. 

Even her choice of pen name is a feminist statement: Bänoo in Persian is an honourific, meaning "Lady" or "Ms." Zan simply means woman. Bänoo Zan is the only name she uses publicly.

'A call to action'

Just as the protests started in September, Zan was starting in her role as the 2022-23 writer in residence at the University of Alberta — a position that allows her to focus on her writing while also engaging with the community.

"This has been the moment that the universe calls on you," she said.

"I hope I can be true to myself and true to poetry."

A poet, translator and teacher of English and English literature, Zan decided to leave Iran in 2010 to be able to write and live more freely. While Iran has a rich literary tradition and reverence of poets is near universal, it is also a country where poets can be viewed as dangerous.

"Because poetry still makes a difference," she said.

"Here [in Canada] you can write a poem about any political figure and nobody would even care. In Iran, especially when a prominent poet writes a protest poem, it goes viral. Everybody reads it. It's a call to action."

The power of poetry

Though Iran was her "first love," Zan chose to continue the battle in the only place where it is possible for an outspoken Iranian poet: in the diaspora.

In describing herself as a war correspondent, Zan acknowledges that she views what is happening in Iran as a war.

She focuses on the metaphorical and the emotional to tell the stories of Iranians in poems that speak powerfully of their experience — and she does so in English.

"For me, literature is a window to the world," said Zan, who read several Margaret Atwood books in the lead up to her move to Canada. Now she provides glimpses of Iran through her own poems.

"It's also a willingness to communicate. So if I'm writing in a language that most people around me cannot understand, then I'm depriving myself of the chance to communicate with them."

Encouraging support

Zan also spends a considerable amount of her time reaching out to the community. She is the founder, artistic director and host of Shab-e She'r open mic poetry readings series in Toronto and Edmonton, which allows poets from all backgrounds to share their poetry.

As a poet, Zan has shared and performed her own work (see example below). She also hosts writing circles which have attracted a diverse range of writers including poets, beginners and even published authors.

Zan says she hopes other Canadian writers and creatives will follow her example and show support to the ongoing protests in Iran — what she describes as a struggle for women's rights, as well as a nation's struggle for democracy.

"It's time they stopped their silence and support us in any way they can."

This episode was produced by Nahlah Ayed.