Press Release, 8 September 2026
Rapper Executed in Iran – PEN Berlin Invites You to an “Evening for Iran”
The 21-year-old Iranian rapper Erfan Mirzaei was killed by the Iranian state on Sunday. He had been arrested in connection with the protests at the beginning of this year and, according to his relatives, severely tortured in detention. It remains unclear whether he was executed by hanging or died as a result of torture. His fate is emblematic of the dramatic escalation of repression in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
This will be one of the topics addressed this Friday evening at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele. But not the only one. In cooperation with the International Literature Festival Berlin, we, the writers’ association PEN Berlin, not only want to draw attention to the crimes of the regime and discuss the current situation following the American-Israeli military attacks. We also want to honour the courageous people who continue to defy this regime. And we want to celebrate Iranian literature.
Among those appearing will be the Iranian rapper Behrad Alikonari, who was arrested during the “Woman Life Freedom” protests in Iran in 2022, severely tortured and only narrowly escaped the death penalty. He now lives in exile. In light of the execution of Erfan Mirzaei, the fact that Alikonari himself will be on stage that evening, performing his music, lends the event a particular urgency.
“While the German government remains silent on the human rights situation in Iran and maintains a tunnel vision focused on the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian regime is dramatically intensifying its repression. The freedom movement in Iran needs far greater visibility,” said Daniela Sepehri, a board member of PEN Berlin.
The “Evening for Iran” at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele will focus on the current situation, the role of authors and artists in the freedom movement, and the political and global consequences of the war. Speakers include Shida Bazyar, Ronya Othmann, Aidin Halimi, Michel Abdollahi, Daniela Sepehri, Omid Nouripour and Ali Fathollah-Nejad. The poet and PEN Berlin fellow Mahtab Yaghma, who lives in exile and likewise only narrowly escaped the death penalty in 2024, will speak about her experiences.
The opening address will be given by Deniz Yücel. The evening will be moderated by Bascha Mika and Linn Penelope Rieger.
WILL FREEDOM PREVAIL – AN EVENING FOR IRAN
Friday, 11 September | 7:30 pm
Haus der Berliner Festspiele | Main Stage
Schaperstraße 24 | 10719 Berlin
With Michel Abdollahi, Shida Bazyar, Ali Fathollah-Nejad, Aidin Halimi, Omid Nouripour, Ronya Othmann, Daniela Sepehri and Mahtab Yaghma.
Music: Behrad Alikonari
Opening address: Deniz Yücel
Moderation: Bascha Mika and Linn Penelope Rieger
PEN Berlin. We stand by our word.