Shiva Makinian on the empathy of the Iranian

Theater director and actress Shiva Makinian spoke about the connection between art and the Iranian,  she referred  to the empathy and resilience of the Iranian during the crisis.

 

At the beginning of her words, she referred to the empathy and resilience of the Iranian people in all difficult circumstances and stated: “As an artist who has worked in the dramatic arts for years, the empathy and resilience of the Iranian people during Crises has always been amazing and inspiring to me. This empathy is not simply an emotional reaction, but a kind of collective life—a kind of cultural resistance that is woven into people's lives.”

 

She went on to say: "Over the years, from war to sanctions, from economic crises to natural disasters, I have witnessed many times how people, without relying on official institutions, with empty hands but with hearts full of love, have rushed to help each other. This collective spirit, just like on a stage, is formed from live presence, from eye-to-eye contact, and from mutual understanding. In fact, what we call "co-acting" in theater, the Iranian people have practiced in their daily lives; seeing the other, hearing the voice of their suffering and joy, and building a common hope in the midst of ruins. This empathy is the capital from which theater is born and to which it returns again."

 

The actress and theater director added that she thinks art and people in Iran have deep roots in this soil, and this bond is not just a social characteristic but a "national artistic expression."

 

At the end of her speech, Makinian stated that theater is always born in the heart of darkness, in exile, underground, or amidst suffering, and added: What is important is to maintain a small but tenacious flame called "watching" and "humanity," which fortunately still exists in Iranian theater.