TEHRAN-The House of Humanities Thinkers in Tehran will host a review session for the book “Occupation of Darkness” written by the Kurdish novelist Bachtyar Ali on Wednesday.

The book, also known as “Invasion of Darkness” and “Conquest of Darkness,” has been translated by Marwan Halabchei and published by Sales Publication, 

Arastou Miraei, Farshid Farahmandfar, and Bahram Parvin Gonabadi will speak at the event, ISNA reported.

The Persian translation of the book has been sold out three months after its first release, leading to the publication of its second edition. 

“Occupation of Darkness” was published in Kurdish in 2020, delving into the recent history of Turkey, touching upon its dark and bloody aspects, and reflecting on the spirit of the oppressors of Kurdistan, along with their dreams and fears.

Set against the political situation of modern Turkey, the narrative unfolds predominantly between 1945 and 1970, encapsulating the post-World War II era to the Kenan Evren military coup.

The author has described the book as a resistance against forgetfulness, an exploration of self through the lens of colonial narratives, and a pursuit to comprehend the occupying other.

Ali, 63, is a novelist, intellectual, literary critic, essayist, and poet. He started as a poet and essayist but has established himself as an influential novelist from the mid-1990s. He has published thirteen novels, and several collections of poetry and essays.

In his academic essays, he has dealt with various subjects, such as the 1988 Saddam-era Anfal genocide campaign, the relationship between the power and intellectuals, and other philosophical issues. He often employs Western philosophical concepts to interpret an issue in Kurdish society, modifying or adapting them to his context.

Along with several other writers of his generation—most notably Mariwan Wirya Qani, Rebin Hardi, and Sherzad Hasan—Ali started a new intellectual movement in Kurdistan, mainly through holding seminars. The same group in 1991 started publishing a philosophical journal, Azadi (literally meaning Freedom), of which only five issues were published, and then Rahand (Dimension).

“Occupation of Darkness” stands as the 10th novel penned by Ali and has been translated into the Persian, Arabic, and French languages.

In 2017, he received the Nelly-Sachs-Preis Award, which is only given every other year. It was the first time that the prize was awarded to an author publishing in a non-European language.

Bachtyar Ali’s works are well-known among Persian-speaking readers, and any new translation is warmly received.

SS/