I gestori del blog “Sounds Iranian” mi contattarono via mail per conoscere la mia versione dello scandalo delle strette di mano “proibite” dell’ex presidente iraniano Mohammad Khatami a Udine, storia che in quel momento risultava parecchio confusa, da cui il motivo per contattare colui che, girando il video poi pubblicato su YouTube che mostrava Khatami intento a compiere gli atti illeciti, ha scatenato tutto quel putiferio. I gestori del blog mi chiesero di raccontare quel che era successo dal mio personale punto di vista, e mi diedero le chiavi di accesso al blog. I miei post, alla fine, furono tre e questo è il primo. La versione originale è qui.
Udine, Italy
Let me please introduce myself. I live in Udine, a small town in Northeastern Italy. It happens to be the place where Mr. Khatami made the famous handshakes, one month ago. But nobody here did notice. Not until that iranian newspaper, and the world press, did.
There were scores of eyes and cameras on Khatami that day. Reporters, politicians, anonymous citizens, even iranians. And four women. Since the CIA was not invited, don’t expect to find its name in the official list.
Everybody saw the gestures but did, and could not, realize. Not even me, a few centimetres from the nose of mr. Khatami. Filming Mr. Khatami.
When I saw my videos of mr. Khatami the first time and decided putting them on “YouTube”, I was aware I was taking some kind of risk. But not for this. This was truly unexpected.
I am now working hard putting all the materials I have collected on the Khatami’s visit and the aftwerwards. A sort of dossier is coming out, with newspaper articles from everywhere and, most of all, commentary by iranians living in Persia and everywhere else in the world. The small but sharp debate on the “YouTube” site of our most famous video, “Khatami Exit-2”, gives you a taste of of this interesting atmosphere.
Someone in effect thinks this is the real news, and I tend to agree. With plenty of blogs and forums discussing and flaming on handshakes, women rights and freedom under the photograms of my videos, and the link of “Khatami Exit” duplicating terribly fast, I could not have a different opinion.
I am offering to the friends of “Sounds Iranian” my first reflection on the event outside the borders of my blog “la casbah di Udine”. Please pardon me if it is a poor chronicle. I promise to offer you more and hope to receive all kind of comments and requests from you. I will be glad to shed some light on the european side of this strange scandal. A scandal born and grown up in the middle of somewhere between Italy, Iran and the Internet
I will not leave you whithout offering a sign of friendship. Videosigns. They won’t be the last.
Orma
Administrator of: “La casbah di udine”
Khatami shaking hands part II
Khatami shaking hands part III
La casbah di Udine web site
Former “Exit-2”, now “Shaking hands”