The History of Toofigh

This book is a modest effort to understand the history of the press and the history of humor in Iran. In fact, it follows a specific part of this tumultuous history and focuses on a particular topic: the examination of the life and fate of the satirical magazine “Toofigh.” This publication holds special significance and credibility in the individual and collective memory of Iranians. The present book contains points and analyses regarding this interesting and important phenomenon in the history of literature and media in our country. On the back cover of the book, we read: “The history of Toofigh is a comprehensive narrative of the fate of satire and satirical press in Iran. Three generations of the Toofigh family, along with talented Iranian satirists, created a lasting transformation in Persian satire over three critical historical periods and established a rich and enduring school of satirical literature. This satire was the voice of the nation, reflecting the ideals and grievances of everyday people, and despite enduring hardships and repeated bans, it criticized corruption and despotism. In the history of satirical magazines and newspapers, from the Constitutional Revolution to the Islamic Republic, from Nasim-e Shomal to Golagha, the fifty-year experience of Toofigh holds great significance, and the present book emphasizes this issue, researching and reporting the story of a hundred years of satirical press and satirical literature in our homeland.”