Mansour Koushan facts for kids
Mansour Koushan (born December 26, 1949 – died February 16, 2014) was an important writer from Iran. He was a talented person who wrote many different things, like stories, poems, and plays. He also worked as a journalist and directed movies and plays. Mansour Koushan believed strongly in freedom of speech and human rights.
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A Life Dedicated to Writing
Mansour Koushan was a very busy writer. He published 14 collections of poetry and short stories. He also wrote 7 novels. Besides these, he created 12 books that explored ideas about culture, literature, society, and politics. He wrote hundreds of essays and more than 30 plays. In Iran, he was an active member of the Council of the Association of Iranian Writers. This group worked to support writers.
Working for Freedom of Speech
From 1967 to 1977, Mansour Koushan was the editor for four different literary magazines in Iran. These magazines were independent, meaning they were not controlled by the government. Later, in 1996, Koushan led a newspaper called Takapou. This newspaper was very brave. It was the only place to publish a special letter called the "1994 Declaration of 134 Iranian Writers." This letter spoke out against censorship, which is when the government stops people from saying or writing what they think. Sadly, many writers who signed this letter were harmed by the Iranian government's secret service. Because of this, the newspaper Takapou was shut down.
Directing and Theater Work
Mansour Koushan also directed movies and plays for television. He staged seven plays written by international writers. This showed his love for theater and his skill in bringing stories to life.
Life in Exile
In December 1998, Mansour Koushan traveled to Norway. He went there to give a speech for a special event. It was the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights Charter. This important document talks about the rights all people should have. While he was in Norway, Iranian writers and thinkers started to be kidnapped and killed in Iran. Because it was no longer safe for him to return home, Mansour Koushan had to stay in Norway. This is called living in exile.
Work in Norway
From 2000 to 2006, Mansour Koushan worked as the artistic manager and director for the Sølvberg Theater in Stavanger, Norway. He continued to share his artistic talents and passion for storytelling.
Award for Human Rights
In 2010, Mansour Koushan received a very special award. It was called the Carl von Ossietzky prize. This award is given every year to a writer who has done great things to support human rights and freedom of speech. It showed how much his efforts were valued around the world.
Later Life and Legacy
Mansour Koushan passed away on February 16, 2014, in Stavanger, Norway. He was 65 years old and died from gastric cancer. At the time of his death, he was the chief editor of a Persian magazine called Jonge Zaman. This magazine focused on literature, culture, and art. Mansour Koushan left behind a lasting legacy through his many writings and his brave fight for freedom and human rights.
