From 29 Bahman to 22 Bahman: The Revolutionary Year of Tabriz

This talk will provide an overview of the main political developments in the city of Tabriz between the dates of 29 Bahman 1356 (18 February 1978) and the final collapse of the monarchical order on 22 Bahman 1357 (11 February 1979). The former date retains overall significance in the Revolution, for it marks the first instance of city-wide violent protests against the Pahlavi regime during the national revolutionary cycle of 1978-79.
This paper initially provides an overview of the political restiveness of Tabriz in the decades preceding the Revolution of 1979, and will be informed by sources ranging from contemporary periodicals, memoirs and interviews with political activists who were based in the city at the time through to SAVAK, British and American government documents to discuss the patterns through which political activism in Tabriz throughout 1978 presented at once similarities and differences with regards to the rebellion in Tehran and other major locations, particularly in terms of the importance and influence of secular political organisations, the clergy and unaffiliated local actors.