thank you for writing this article which reminds us of what totalitarian states do as thier first priority, that is silencing dissent. This is the proof that dictators are very much afraid of the power of books – literature, poetry, esays etc. – in transforming society. Literature in particular has always a role to play in articulating reality in order to change it. I learnt this from Azar Nafisi, who teaches a course on literature and politics here at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University, Washington D.C., where I study. Your article reminded me of that.

All the best,

Filippo Chiesa