Atefe Asadi is a writer, editor, translator, and songwriter from Tehran, Iran. She holds a BA degree in English Translation and has worked as editor and translator with various publications and magazines, including underground ones. Asadi’s literary work is set in the context of Iranian society and addresses the country’s social, political, and religious issues, including gender, sexuality, and women’s rights while challenging conservatism, religion, war, and their consequences. In December 2022, Asadi took up the ICORN residency in Hannover, Germany, through the Hannah Arendt Scholarship. Since arriving in Hannover, Atefe has started researching New German Literature (Die Neue Deutsche Literatur/NDL), and has cooperated with local publishers, book fairs, NGOs, schools, and other institutions. Asadi continues her literary activities, translation work, and cultural projects.

“I think I always remember Künstlerdorf with the smell of smoke at the fireplace which is a sign of being alive for me. being surrounded by people who are as if you have known them for a long time. being in Künstlerdorf for me was like a special creative feed for the artist’s mind to learn, be inspired, experience, talk and share. We live in a world where monotony will lead nowhere and we need to hear different voices and create a kind of polyphony. In my opinion, the week of the Making Worlds Summer School created such a possibility to remind us that it is important to hear different voices and also that all art forms are related to each other in some way and that we are more successful as writers, poets, painters, sculptors, etc. If we know the worlds around us better and don’t look at issues in one dimension.”