Parastoo Farahvar and the 'Death Party'

This week's host is Parastoo Farahvar, an artist, designer, and human rights activist. Her works have been exhibited in various cities around the world, earning her several awards. She is the daughter of Dariush and Parvaneh Farahvar, who were brutally murdered by agents of the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence in 1998. She has made significant efforts to pursue justice for their killings, risking her safety to ensure her parents' blood is not forgotten. Parastoo has written a book in German titled 'The Land Where My Parents Were Murdered,' detailing her experiences traveling to Iran seeking justice. She has also published another book called 'Read in the Name of Iran,' which contains her memories of her parents. Parastoo lives in Frankfurt, where she continues her artistic endeavors. In this episode, she discusses her dinner party guests, which include her parents, renowned artist Louise Bourgeois, German painter Neo Rauch, and Indian-American thinker Homi Bhabha. The music chosen for the evening is 'Lazarus' by David Bowie, which resonates with the theme of death. Parastoo expresses her desire to say goodbye to her parents in a peaceful and pleasant setting, reflecting on the need for closure and understanding the circumstances of their deaths. She shares fond memories of her mother, Parvaneh, as an exceptional woman who passionately lived for freedom and her homeland, and her father, Dariush, as a wise and logical figure who greatly influenced her thinking. The conversation also touches on the significance of her guests and the hybrid nature of her vegetarian dish, lentil rice with tofu, symbolizing a blend of cultures.