I burn in this fire, but I am transient and silent

In a conversation with Khabar Online, Gholamali Haddad-Adel, a political and cultural figure, discussed various aspects of his life, his recent book “The Story of Our Lives,” and his personal reflections.

Haddad-Adel began by explaining the title of his book, “The Story of Our Lives” (داستان زندگی ما), stating, “This book contains the story of my life. In the beginning, I wanted to title it ‘I burn in this fire, but I am transient and silent,’ which is a verse from a poem by Hafez. However, my friends advised against it, saying it was too melancholic. I then chose ‘The Story of Our Lives,’ hoping it would resonate more broadly.”

He elaborated on the book’s content, mentioning that it covers his childhood, family, education, and early political activities. “When my grandchildren asked me to tell them about my life, I realized it was important to document these experiences. This book is a narrative of my encounters with historical events and figures,” he added.

Referring to the poetic verse he initially considered for the title, Haddad-Adel reflected on the transient nature of life and the often-unheard voices of history. “Like a fire that burns and fades, our lives are fleeting. Many truths remain unspoken, many stories untold. This sense of transience and the silent passage of history is a significant theme for me,” he explained.

He also touched upon his deep engagement with Persian language and literature throughout his life, highlighting the influence of classical poets like Hafez and Ferdowsi, whose Shahnameh he frequently references. “Literature has always been a guiding light in my journey, providing both solace and inspiration,” he concluded.