Literature and Periodicals in Contemporary Iran

Abstract This article examines the rise and spread of modern Persian literature from the early twentieth century (1906 onward), tracing its trajectory through the prism of the contemporary press. Beginning with an exploration of premodern Persian literary traditions, it elucidates the instrumental role of reformists and intellectuals in establishing influential periodicals abroad, such as Akhtar in Istanbul, Habl al-Matin in Calcutta, Hekmat in Cairo, and Ghānoon in London, to foster communication with readers in Iran. During the lead-up to the Constitutional Revolution (between 1905 and 1911), periodicals within Iran experienced a surge in popularity, becoming vital conduits for literary and nonliterary discourse. Noteworthy publications such as Teatr, Nasim-e Shomal, and Sur-e Esrafil played pivotal roles in redefining literary norms and genres, particularly through the serialized publication of novels in the first Pahlavi period, reaching their peak in the second Pahlavi period until the 1979 revolution. The publication of novels and short stories in the press has also been one of the most important factors in promoting and consolidating modern fiction within the Iranian literary landscape. However, following the 1979 revolution, the press’s influence on modern literature waned as new media platforms emerged, reshaping the literary landscape in Iran.