Iranian Dawn

Iranian Dawn is a book written by Amir Hassan Cheheltan. This work falls into the category of fiction with social and historical themes. In this novel, the author addresses the subject of forced migration and the emotional ruptures arising from it. “Iranian Dawn” is narrated within two historical periods: the 1940s and the year 1979. The story begins as Iraj, the protagonist, returns to the country after 28 years. Roaming through the streets and alleyways, Iraj reminisces about his past. The recollection of bygone days reveals that Iraj was a supporter of the Tudeh Party in Iran who, due to involvement in procuring weapons for the unsuccessful assassination attempt on the Shah on February 4, 1949, was forced to flee the country and migrate to the Soviet Union. Before leaving Iran, Iraj lived clandestinely for two years and then departed. He had decided to arrange for his wife Mihan and their two-year-old son to join him after his migration to the Soviet Union. However, upon arrival in the Soviet Union, he was arrested and sentenced to fifteen years of hard labor in a camp on charges of espionage. Because of the harsh conditions in the camp, Iraj lost contact with his family and all his loved ones. However, after some time, following Stalin’s death, Iraj was released from the camp and, for certain reasons, was forced to migrate from the Soviet Union to Germany. Upon his return to Iran, Iraj meets Mihan, but the cold atmosphere of their meeting makes him realize that nothing remains of their once-passionate love. Iraj’s son also shows little enthusiasm for meeting his father. Iraj finds himself at a significant crossroads regarding his future: returning to Germany or staying in Iran.