An interview with Fernando Camacho Padilla:
There is a rich cultural exchange between Iran and Spain
There is a rich cultural exchange between Iran and Spain, mostly from artists, musicians, academics, photographers, etc
The International Public Relations Department of Iran Book and Literature House: What follows is an exclusive interview with Anthony Ballas on the occasion of the 30th National Book Week of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Fernando Camacho Padilla has been an assistant lecturer at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid since 2015. Previously, he held a postdoctoral fellowship at Universidad de Santiago de Chile (2013-2015). He also has been an assistant lecturer at Stockholm University, Uppsala University, Södertorn University College, and Dalarna University (Sweden). He has published the following books: América Latina, Suecia por Chile. Una historia visual del exilio y la solidaridad, 1970-1990, and Una vida para Chile. La solidaridad y la comunidad chilena en Suecia, 1970-2010.
What is the position of Persian language in your country?
Persian language can be learned at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Universidad Complutense. Not formal courses are also avalaible at Universidad de Alicante and Universidad de Salamanca. Some private language schools are also giving Persian languages and the Cultura Office of the Iranian Embassy
According to your activities, how much is the acceptance of learning Persian language?
Quite limited. Few Spanish people learned Persian language. I will say about 300-400 at the most. There are also some Spanish people with Iranian parents who speak Persian.
How many works of Iranian classical literature have been translated and published in your country, and what was the audience's view of them?
I am not sure, but there are many translations, mostly from classic authors (Hafez, Saadi, Khayyam…). Most translations are done from French or English, and very few directly from Persian. There is a relevant audience, mostly people interested in classis literature from the Middle East. May good Spanish publishers are being these translations.
In your opinion, what effect can this cultural exchange and exchange of cultural industries have on the relations between the two countries in the contemporary era?
There is a rich cultural exchange between Iran and Spain, mostly from artists, musicians, academics, photographers, etc. Centro Persépolis (located in Madrid- https://www.centropersepolis.com/) does a very important role in this matter. Also the cultural office of the Iranian Embassy and my own university, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. I am attaching a document that could be of your interest (in English) with more information.
What is your opinion about cultural diplomacy?
Does this exchange in the field of books and literature have a place in your definition of cultural diplomacy? Of course. It is important to translate books from Spanish into Persian and viceversa. In Iran is possible to find more books from Spanish contemporary literature than the other way around. The reason is that more Iranians speak Spanish than Spanish people speak farsi, and very few Iranians in Spain translate books into Spanish.
Finally, how can dialogue between cultures be achieved?
It is necessary to promote more cultural activities, such as exhibitions and conferences, but the political situation in the Middle East affects the image of Iran and not always it is possible to keep the problem outside the cultural dimension. However, more and more Spanish people travel to Iran.
In Iran, the last week of the second month of autumn is named as book week and celebrations are held to promote reading. What is your opinion about this and whether this week can help for the dialogue of cultures and cultural diplomacy that we raised in the previous questions?
Of course. This is a great initiative and idea. It is important to invite writes and people of the cultural sector of Spain and Latin America to attend to this event, together with their books and cultural production.
