When the Sparrows Grow Anxious: creating a space for dialogue, understanding and optimism.

The human cost of war, the resilience of ordinary people and the search for hope were at the heart of the UK public launch of When the Sparrows Grow Anxious: Diaries from Tehran at War by Ali Asghar Seidabadi, held at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln.

The venue provided a particularly fitting setting, connecting remembrance of past conflict with a contemporary account of civilian life during war. It offered a meaningful space to reflect on peace, reconciliation and the human consequences of violence.

The hybrid event brought together attendees in Lincoln and online participants from Newcastle,  Australia, Canada and the United States. Iranian author Ali Asghar Seidabadi joined from Tehran, enabling audiences to hear directly about the experiences behind his book.

Subash Chellaiah, Founder and Executive Director of The Centre for Reconciliation, opened the evening with welcoming remarks:

What has already drawn me to it is its deeply human perspective: a personal account of everyday life in Tehran during conflict, sharing the experiences of ordinary people beyond the headlines.

Through my work with The Centre for Reconciliation, I meet people from different faiths, beliefs and backgrounds. One thing I continue to learn is that understanding begins when we make time to listen to someone’s experiences, their fears, their hopes and their story.

When we hear about war, we often hear numbers, political arguments and military developments. Behind those headlines are families trying to live their everyday lives: parents worrying about their children, neighbours caring for one another, and people wondering what tomorrow will bring. Personal accounts invite us to pause and recognise those lives. Gathering here, in a place dedicated to remembrance, makes that reflection especially meaningful.

For me, reconciliation begins with recognising another person’s humanity. We do not need to share the same background or agree on everything to acknowledge someone’s suffering and dignity. But we do need a willingness to listen with openness and compassion.

My hope is that this evening will create space for thoughtful conversation about the book, the experiences it shares, and our responsibility to work for peace.

Ali delivered his opening reading in English. His daughter, Ghazaleh, translated his subsequent responses during the audience discussion. Published in Persian and English, the book explores everyday life during war and the ways families, friendships and familiar routines endure amid fear and uncertainty.Following readings by Ali Seidbadi, questions from the audience prompted a thoughtful conversation about children, healthcare, family life and the role of literature in sustaining hope.

Asked about the hardest part of living through war, Ali focused on the suffering of children. He reflected that children have no control over the political decisions that lead to conflict, yet bear some of its most devastating consequences. He described the loss of children’s lives as one of war’s most painful realities, alongside the tensions and uncertainty experienced within communities.

Discussing healthcare, Ali said hospitals continued to operate, but rising medicine prices and difficulties obtaining supplies were placing increasing pressure on people. He described an established medical network facing growing challenges, with war, sanctions and internal problems, including corruption, making access to medication and resources harder.

Ali also spoke about his family’s wellbeing. Although they were managing, economic pressures and fears of another war remained. He explained that the kindness shown by friends during the conflict had brought comfort and helped his family feel connected to others.

Hope became a central theme of the evening. Drawing on literature, Ali reflected that hope must be actively sought and nurtured, even when circumstances make it difficult to find. He described writing the book as a therapeutic process and expressed his aspiration to reach readers in further languages through collaboration with Nick Owen and the wider team.

Editor Alexander Moore highlighted the manuscript’s warmth, humour and tragedy. He praised Ali’s writing and described the editorial process as shaping and presenting an already powerful account while preserving the author’s voice within a short publication timetable.

International collaborator Trish Amici reflected on the shared values that brought the team together, particularly the importance of finding common ground and recognising one another’s humanity. She praised the manuscript’s poetic qualities and its portrayal of Iranian people, culture and landscape, finding moments of beauty and hope alongside the distressing realities of war.

The evening offered an opportunity to listen, ask questions and connect across geographical and cultural boundaries. Through personal testimony and discussion, the launch encouraged reflection on human dignity, compassion and the relationships that sustain people during conflict.

We’re looking forward in a spirit of hope to future collaborations not only with Ali and our international partners, but with Subash and UK based colleagues who joined us this evening on what was truly a unique space of dialogue, understanding and optimism.