Fatemeh Ekhtesari is an Iranian poet, writer, translator, editor, and activist associated with the influential literary movement known as Postmodern Ghazal.
Her work explores themes including gender, sexuality, censorship, religion, exile, artistic freedom, and women’s rights, often combining contemporary political realities with classical Persian literary forms.
Although originally trained in midwifery, Ekhtesari became widely recognised for her literary work and public advocacy around women’s issues, freedom of expression, and social justice in Iran.
Following imprisonment and legal persecution connected to her writing and activism, she later escaped Iran and sought refuge in Norway through ICORN, where she continues her literary and cultural work.
Writing and Translation
Fatemeh Ekhtesari has published poetry, fiction, essays, and experimental literary works across multiple genres. Her writing has been translated into numerous languages and discussed internationally in relation to censorship, women’s rights, and freedom of expression.
Alongside her own creative work, she has also worked extensively in translation and literary collaboration, helping bring contemporary Persian literature to wider international audiences.
Her work often combines personal testimony with broader political and social questions, exploring the intersection between private life, public repression, memory, gender, and artistic resistance.
Postmodern Ghazal
Ekhtesari is closely associated with the Iranian literary movement known as Postmodern Ghazal, which reworked classical Persian poetic traditions to address contemporary social and political realities.
The movement became known for challenging cultural restrictions and introducing more direct discussions around gender, sexuality, violence, censorship, and everyday life in contemporary Iran.
Her work within this movement helped establish her as one of the significant contemporary voices in modern Persian literature.
Collaboration with Sic Publishing
Fatemeh Ekhtesari collaborates with Sic Publishing across translation, editorial, literary, and public engagement projects.
She translated The Last Kiss by Mehdi Mousavi into English and has contributed to projects connected to freedom of expression, oral history, women’s rights, and cultural exchange.
Her work with Sic Publishing reflects a shared interest in literature as testimony, translation as cultural bridge-building, and storytelling as a way of preserving lived experience across borders.
Norway
Since arriving in Norway, Ekhtesari has continued writing, publishing, speaking, and participating in literary and cultural projects connected to exile, translation, and freedom of expression.
Her work forms part of a wider international conversation around literature, censorship, migration, and the role of writers in public life.
