Bahman Farzaneh Information

Bahman Farzaneh (1938 – February 6, 2014) was an Iranian writer and translator of more than 50 books into Persian. His translations introduced many renowned international authors to Iranian readers.

Fluent in Italian, English, Spanish, and French, Farzaneh spent many years living in Italy, particularly in Florence and Rome. In the spring of 2013, he returned to Iran for rest and announced that he would not return to Italy. He passed away on February 6, 2014, in Tehran at the age of 75.

According to ISNA, his funeral was held on February 8, 2014, attended by his family and a few publishers of his works. He was buried in the Famous Figures Section of Behesht Zahra Cemetery (Section 255, Row 37, No. 10), alongside prominent figures such as Kazem Motamednejad, Ahmad Kasila, Abbas Hari, and Shokrollah Baban.

Early Life and Career
Bahman Farzaneh was born in 1938. On his father’s side, he was a descendant of Hakim al-Molk, and on his mother’s side, he was related to Sadeq Mostashar al-Dowleh. After completing his early education, he attended the United Nations School of Translation.

At the age of 26, he translated his first book by Tennessee Williams. He later collaborated with Italian film production companies, writing a screenplay that was eventually made into a film.

Farzaneh was meticulous in selecting books for translation. Once he chose a book, he worked regularly and at set hours. He famously said, “I am still old-fashioned; I still write by hand,” refusing to use a computer.

Notable Works
Authored Books
Filmnāmeh-ye dar Nimeh Basteh (The Half-Closed Script)
Cherk Nevis (Draft)
Majmueh Dastan: Sozan-haye Gomshodeh (Short Story Collection: Lost Needles)
Sarbāz-e Del (The Heart’s Soldier, 2008)
Translations
Farzaneh translated works of Gabriel García Márquez, Tennessee Williams, Luigi Pirandello, Alba de Céspedes, Vasco Pratolini, Ignazio Silone, Roald Dahl, Gabriele D’Annunzio, Susanna Tamaro, and more.

Some of his most famous translations include:

One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel García Márquez
Love in the Time of Cholera – Gabriel García Márquez
The Twelve Pilgrim Tales – Gabriel García Márquez
Forbidden Notebook – Alba de Céspedes
The Innocent – Gabriele D’Annunzio
Six Characters in Search of an Author – Luigi Pirandello
A Bunch of Raspberries – Ignazio Silone
The Parrot – Susanna Tamaro
A Family Story – Vasco Pratolini
Love and Crime in Sicily – Luigi Capuana
Farzaneh’s deep literary insight and dedication to Persian translation enriched Iran’s literary scene, bridging Persian readers with world literature.