The second session of the "From Book to Life" series at Bahar BookCity, Isfahan
On Friday, December 4, Bahar BookCity in Isfahan transformed into a sanctuary for storytelling and healing. The branch hosted Esmat Asgari, a survivor of the devastating Bam earthquake, for the second session of the “From Book to Life” series. In a moving dialogue, Asgari shared her profound journey of navigating grief and anxiety through the sanctuary of reading and writing, inviting the audience to reflect on the healing power of words.
The session began with an unvarnished and raw account of the tragedy. Asgari spoke of the night the earthquake struck, the loss of dozens of loved ones, and the harrowing aftermath defined by chronic insomnia, panic attacks, and a paralyzing fear of sleep. For months, life seemed impossible. However, she described her migration to Isfahan as a new beginning—a turning point sparked by a local bookseller’s advice to pick up a pen and a notebook. She recalled that first night, where she “wept and wrote until dawn,” as the moment a new path opened before her.
In the main segment of the event, titled “I Survived to Write,” Asgari described how writing replaced silence. It became a “vital reaction” for her—a daily practice that often took place on her white kitchen table. She explained how attending writing workshops and the meticulous process of rewriting her autobiographical novel aided her psychological and social reconstruction.
Asgari also highlighted the crucial role of reading in this process. Citing works such as Svetlana Alexievich’s The Unwomanly Face of War and various books on resilience, she emphasized that reading provides a historical and human perspective. It reveals that personal suffering is a shared human experience, one from which meaning can be forged.
The event concluded with an interactive dialogue on “Words as Therapy,” covering practical techniques like free writing, journaling, and critical rewriting. The audience was visibly moved by the honesty of the narrative, with many hearing the details of her turbulent journey for the first time. Asgari ended the session by reading excerpts from her writings, reflecting a gradual transition from fear to hope.
This session underscores a pivotal concern for BookCity: the transformative power of culture. By organizing series like “From Book to Life,” BookCity reaffirms its commitment to being more than just a bookstore; it acts as a cultural hub where literature intersects with lived experience. BookCity has long championed the idea that books are not merely objects of consumption but tools for survival and resilience, striving to create spaces where the community can discover how the written word can heal the human spirit.
Tags: Bahar BookCity, Bam Earthquake, Trauma, Writing
