Reporter Ohne Grenzen

The freedom of the press is subject to increasing pressure and, along with it, democracy itself. That’s why Reporters without Borders is presenting this year’s volume of photography on the International Day of Democracy. The event will focus on the presentation of the current photo book with selected works by Maryam Saeedpour and seven other photographers. The Iranian photographer herself and journalist Omid Rezaee will discuss the book with journalist Gemma Pörzgen, co-founder and board member of Reporters Without Borders, and the accompanying text to the photo essay will be read. It is about the difficulties of photographic work in an authoritarian society, the violence and the social pressure that women in particular are exposed to on a daily basis in Iran. Iran is ranked 176th out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom.

The panel discussion will be held in German and Farsi and will be interpreted.

In Cooperation with Reporter ohne Grenzen e.V.

Photo: Maryam Saeedpoor

Information about the picture:
This picture is from the portrait series Dominance by Iranian photo artist Maryam Saeedpour. It tells the story of the women of her homeland, whose presence has been restricted and marginalized in a patriarchal society for centuries. But instead of disappearing behind fabrics and decorative elements, the woman portrayed here breaks free from the predetermined patterns. With her mouth closed, she expresses her resistance, her inner rage and strength. At the same time, however, she also shows her marginalization and vulnerability, which symbolically stands for much more than just a system.