TEHRAN – The fifth edition of the Turkish translation of the acclaimed Iranian children’s book “Call Me Ziba” by Farhad Hassanzadeh was recently released in Turkey.
Published by Timas Publications, Turkish version translated by Nezahat Basci.
The Turkish version was first introduced at the 2017 Istanbul Book Fair.
The original Persian version, published by the Iranian Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Youth (IIDCYA), reached its 11th printing in May.
“Call Me Ziba” is about a teenage girl living in the dormitory of a girls’ care home who dreams of celebrating her birthday with her father. Determined to make this happen, she plans to help him escape from the mental hospital.
An important encounter with his sick father sets off an unexpected journey through Tehran. This journey through the city becomes a path to self-discovery for Ziva, providing an opportunity to heal the broken emotional bond between father and daughter, transforming their relationship amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
Since its first publication in 2015, “Call Me Ziba” has received wide recognition and received numerous awards. These include a 2016 IIDCYA and Children’s Book Council Festival winner, nomination for the prestigious Islamic Republic of Iran Book of the Year Award, and selection to the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany in 2016.
The novel was also included in the IBBY Honor List in 2018, the English version was presented at the Bologna Book Fair, and some foreign publications officially acquired the publishing rights.
Additionally, the book was nominated in the fiction category at the 9th Best Children and Young Adult Book Festival, and was recognized on the Flying Turtles list for its positive impact on the emotional well-being of parents and children.
Translation and publication rights were also granted to an Armenian publisher, with a translation by Gevorg Asaturyan. The book was also a bestseller at the 35th Tehran International Book Fair.
This 192-page novel, part of the Today’s Young Adult Novels series, currently has a cumulative circulation of 27,500 copies.
Additionally, the film version of Call Me Jiba, directed by Rasoul Sadramali, was released in theaters nationwide earlier this year. The film, a co-production of IIDCYA, Farabi Film Foundation, HIB Film Company and Milad Films, was a success at the 43rd Fajr Film Festival, winning the Crystal Simurgh Award for Best Film.
SAB/