A rose for Yasaman

The news about 24-year-old Yasaman Aryani, who received a 16-year prison sentence for distributing roses without wearing a hijab, inspired Jens Galschiøt to launch a new art event.

"I am deeply moved by courageous individuals like Yasaman, who dedicate their lives to fighting for their rights," says Jens Galschiøt, famous for his often provocative contemporary art.

Jens Galschiøt has therefore initiated an art action in support of Yasaman. He has created a copper rose and started a campaign, aiming to send thousands of digital roses to Yasaman.

The Rose

Galschiøt crafted a 60 cm high rose made of copper, bronze, and steel, named after Yasaman. It is possible to bid on the Rose at Lauritz.com, and the proceeds will go towards Amnesty International's work for women's rights in Iran.

Send a digital rose to Yasaman

"Yasaman received a 16-year prison sentence for distributing roses; therefore, she deserves to receive a thousand roses from us," explains Jens Galschiøt. By following the link, you can send a rose to Yasaman and simultaneously put pressure on the Iranian dictatorship to release her from prison.

Small Rose:

Galschiøt has also created a series of smaller roses. One is for Yasaman, another for her family, and a third will be presented to the Iranian ambassador in Denmark.

Context:

As part of International Women's Day on March 8th, Yasaman, her mother, and a friend distributed white roses in Tehran. On April 10, 2019, Yasaman was arrested and subjected to nine days of isolation, during which she was coerced into a forced confession for "spreading propaganda against the system."

Currently, she is imprisoned in Iran's Evin prison, where women charged with serious violent crimes are held. Inside the prison, women face isolation, interrogation without legal representation, and some endure torture.

Yasaman Aryani is not the only one fighting for Iranian women's rights and their freedom to choose how they dress.

Five years ago, Masih Alinejad started the "White Wednesday" movement in protest against the compulsory use of hijabs. The message has since spread through social media, where women post pictures and videos on their profiles using the hashtag #whitewednesday. Yasaman is part of this movement.

In the links below, you can find more information about Yasaman Aryani's situation and the "White Wednesday" movement:

Latest News:

Yasaman was released in February 2023!

Amnesty International wrote:

"Woman, life, freedom."

These three words echo outside the notorious Evin Prison in the capital of Iran. It is February 15, 2023. Yasaman Aryani and her mother, Monireh Arabshahi, have just been released.

The sun is shining, and its rays touch the women's dark hair. They are not wearing the mandatory headscarf hijab. "I owe my freedom to my people's revolutionary struggle for freedom. And to the many innocent girls and women whose blood has been shed. I hope for Iran's liberation," declares Monireh Arabshahi, Yasaman's mother. Yasaman clenches her fist and waves it in the air, while shouting "Woman, life, freedom," which is the rallying cry used in the nationwide protests against the Iranian theocracy.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40218711

https://amnesty.dk/nyhedsliste/2019/iranske-yasaman-kaemper-for-kvinders-rettigheder