Morteza Avini

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Sayyed Morteza Avini (also spelled Aviny) (1947-1993) was a distinguished Iranian photographer of the Iran-Iraq war.

Avini was born in 1947 in Ray, south of Tehran. After earning a master's degree in architecture from Tehran University, he switched to photography and film, especially after the 1978 revolution of Iran.

He gained national recognition and reputation for his documentary works during the Iran-Iraq war. Some of his team members died while filming in war zones. He is especially remembered for the series "The Chronicles of Victory" (روایت فتح), which aired regularly on IRIB.

In 1989, Iran's supreme leader established a foundation to help continue documenting and commemorating the war (موسسه‌ی فرهنگی روایت فتح). The result was the 10-part series "A City in the Skies" (شهری در آسمان).

Avini was killed on April 9, 1993 (20th of Farvardin, 1372) by a landmine while making a documentary about the missing soldiers in the former war fronts of southwestern Iran. He left behind many publications, which are regarded with high esteem in Iran.

[edit] Quotes

Avini is celebrated among Iran's arts and literature community. His writings are often quoted in the media. Samples:

"The belief is that the martyrs of the war are dead and gone while we remain. The truth is that time continues to sweep the living away while it is the martyrs that remain eternal."