The Avant-garde

TEHRAN. Paradisiac Absolut Vodka in house next to Evin Prison. Satellite TV from Los Angeles. Cell phone network blacked out all around to prevent interception of guard communication. – Fresh out of a meeting with a Mullah friend of Khatami. Nielsen wanted to attach a pin to his turban. But most disappointingly he was all turbanless and casual on this Iranian Sunday in his house with family. He talks of Khatami’s Dialogue of Civilization. The Europeans make the point that there is only one – that to speak of it in plural only reinforces differences (being slightly dishonest – the distinction between a toilet and a hole in the ground, speaks of insurmountable differences).

It has been decided to change strategy (swayed by alcohol?). No more inconclusive dialogue and intercultural courtesies and niceties. The gloves are off. We are throwing the gauntlet at the feet of this regime. From now on we – as an intellectual avant-garde – will take command of the revolution. Thus we comply with the unison demand heard across Iran for us to take leadership. ‘We need leaders!’ ‘You must lead us!’ – this is the mandate from the Iranian Youth.