Thanks mom. The best thing your parents can give you is their history while they are alive.
That's what my son Pouya said after he read the manuscript Until the day a few weeks before the launch – exactly one year ago today – read it eagerly. That response was a gift. Just like the positive message I received shortly afterwards from my other son Pasha. What would the disclosure of my life mean for my children? That question had echoed in my mind during the three years I worked with Job on our book. Rasoul, my husband, also responded positively to the story a little later. And even though he knew most of the details, that too was a relief.
Then it went out into the world. From the book launch on January 14, 2021, despite the lockdown, the book found its way to readers. A week after the release, a second edition was announced, we are now at edition six and the book is on countless bookcases.
Responses followed. The document in which Job and I collect the received messages now has about forty pages. Based on those emails, apps and messages on LinkedIn, I quickly concluded that we had achieved our goal. For a long time we wondered: what does the book add, why should it be there? I did not embark on this adventure for my children, nor for Rasoul. What is? I hoped that my story could boost tolerance, tolerance and solidarity in society.
It's important that these stories are told, that people listen and don't judge.
Elly wrote that every Dutchman and refugee should read this book. Petra, who has a foundation 'for world women' wrote: 'Your story encourages me even more to continue with what we do.' Henk: 'I asked my daughter, who is 18 years old, to read it. I also hope that she learns from the book that freedom and democracy cannot be taken for granted and that this will convince her to use the right to vote for the first time this year.' Rya: 'It's important that these stories are told, that people listen and don't judge.' For Geert, the book led to 'silence and reflection'. And Joy concluded that I had added something to our cultural heritage.
Interviews followed and I gave dozens of lectures, including for employees of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) and Humanitas, and gave a speech to the cabinet in the Jacobuskerk during the Prinsjesdag celebrations. Last December, housing corporation De Alliant closed Until the day in the Christmas package. 900 employees, (hopefully also) 900 reading experiences, with possible consequences.
For the above reasons, the project was a success for me. But you know me: I don't rest on my laurels. Due to corona, the book never got the chance to attract the attention of readers in the bookstore. Despite the slick photo on the cover that I was tempted to. Partly for that reason, I feel that the book can bring about even more positive things, reach even more people, and contribute even more to tolerance, tolerance and solidarity in society.
So I hope it doesn't stop here. I hesitated for a long time whether I wanted to share my story. Finally, I decided to give away a piece of my soul. Not because I want to claim attention or because I hope everyone gets to know me better, but because my story transcends my personal life. It is a story about living together, about putting yourself in the shoes of the other. I hope that in 2022 I can tell schools how that works. That us versus them is not the issue. As long as hatred and polarization are the order of the day, I want people to consider that everyone can contribute to an inclusive society. More understanding, eye and ear for each other, that is my hope.
Mardjan Seighali
Director
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