Hojjatoleslam and Muslims Hossein Taeb: Military victory must be complemented by artistic narrative

Hojjatoleslam and Muslims Hossein Taeb, head of the Basij Organization, emphasized the necessity of utilizing the capacity of art to narrate the experience of the Iranian people's resistance and the developments in Palestine at the second international event "The Promised One in the Mirror of Art," held on Wednesday in Tehran. He pointed to soft warfare and cognitive warfare, discussing recent developments in this area and stated that the narrative of any incident will not be complete without considering the contexts of its formation and its consequences.

Analysis of Soft and Cognitive Warfare

Taeb said at this meeting: "To understand an event accurately, one must consider both its 'pre-narrative' and 'post-narrative.'" He emphasized that the main goal of soft warfare is not to seize territory, but to change individual and collective mindsets and to appropriate the value system of societies. Taeb clarified that in cognitive warfare, efforts are made to change the place of love and hatred towards one's own values and those of the other.

Read more: Marriage Crisis in China: Youth in Search of Love

He also referred to the sensitivity of nations towards the concepts of freedom and justice, stating: "Any nation that cannot tolerate oppression against the oppressed will react against it. One of the goals of cognitive warfare is to change the system of feelings and valuations so that society becomes indifferent to oppression."

The Role of Artists in Narrating the Truth

Taeb continued by mentioning the role of media in shaping public opinion, stating: "A significant portion of the media is influenced by major powers, and narratives that can affect public opinion face restrictions in publication." He called on artists and cultural movements to produce independent and impactful narratives and stated that artists must convey the realities of their region and society to the world through art.

He emphasized: "A free artist must see the reality of war, the suffering of people, and the human consequences of violence and represent it in a universal language. Attacks on non-military centers, schools, and hospitals are not just military news; they are a reality that must be recorded in artistic works."

The Necessity of National Cohesion in Artistic Works

Taeb stressed the necessity of reflecting the steadfastness and cohesion of the Iranian people in artistic productions, saying: "This experience must be transformed into artistic works that can connect with audiences in the region and the world." He also announced the three main missions of the Basij of Artists as training artists, producing artistic works, and directing art and artists, emphasizing the need to train resistant artists.

According to Taeb, an artist must have the ability to research and transform their idea into a screenplay or artistic plan so that, in collaboration with other factors, a professional and lasting work can be produced. He concluded by saying: "An impactful narrative is one that, alongside showcasing the power of resistance, also reveals the human complexities and real consequences of war to the audience."

Read more: 24.5-minute applause for the Naza documentary; a record in cinema history · Norway's government is criminalizing trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank