The Revolutionary Artist Who Found Truth in Sacrifice

From the halls of art to the heart of war zones, Martyr Avini's journey was a quest for truth, marked by courage, simplicity, and an unwavering devotion to faith and filmmaking. His legacy, cut short by martyrdom, continues to inspire through his profound words and cinematic tributes to the Sacred Defense.

News ID: 85988

Date: 09 April 2025 - 16:54

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Martyr Seyed Morteza Avini was born in 1947 in Rey. He completed his primary and secondary education in Zanjan, Kerman, and Tehran, and then entered the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Tehran as an architecture student. He was acquainted with art from his childhood; He wrote poetry and essays and was interested in painting. He also completed his university education in a field that was compatible with his artistic nature.

Morteza had a special genius in the philosophy of literature. Morteza Avini later became acquainted with the ideas of the great leader of Iran, Imam Khomeini, and in the following years, he became a revolutionary. After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, he left architecture and changed the course of his life. In 1979, he joined the constructive jihad (Jihad Sazandegi). He turned to filmmaking some time later.

Martyr Avini's words about his youth

"Do not think that I am unfamiliar with the lifestyle of the Enlightenment demonstrators!

No! I'm talking to you about a "passed way"!

I have studied in one of the art faculties for many years as well! I've gone to poetry nights and painting galleries as well! I've listened to classical music; I've spent long hours arguing uselessly about things that I did not know as well!"

But then, fortunately, life has led me to a path where I have had to put aside excuses first with myself and then with others and I deeply agree that "pretending to know" is never a substitute for "wisdom", and even more so, wisdom does not come from the study of philosophy. One should search the "truth", and it is a blessing that anyone who truly seeks it will find it! And will find it in his own as well... and now I am talking to you about "passed way".

In late 1991, the "Cultural Institute of Victory Narration" (Narration of Fat'h/ Revayat e Fat'h) was established by Iran Supreme Leader's order to work on documentary and cinematic filmmaking about the "Sacred Defense".

Martyr Avini and a group of cameramen (from Revayat e Fat'h institute) resumed their travels to the war zones, and in less than a year, completed the production of six programs from the ten-part series "A City in the Sky" and also they provided the preliminaries for the production of other series about Abadan, Susangerd,  Hoveyzeh and Fakke.

"A City in the Sky", which dealt with the siege, fall, and retake of Khorramshahr, was televised in the last months of Martyr Avini's life, but his plan to complete this series and build other series was left unfinished with his martyrdom in Fakke on April 9, 1993. Avini, who was making the documentary and television series "Revayat e Fat'h” (Narration of Victory), was finally martyred after being hit by landmines left over from the war.

Adherence to on-time prayer

Martyr Avini attached great importance to on-time prayer. He always performed ablution before the call to prayer (Az’an) and prepared for prayer. If, in the meantime, someone referred to Martyr Avini, he would say to him, "God willing, after the prayer!"

Simple lifestyle

Martyr Morteza Avini lived a very simple life; sometimes he would throw a piece of paperboard on the floor and would sleep on it. He often used to eat bread, cheese, raisins and walnuts as a daily food.

Courage

Martyr Avini was so brave that he was steadfast and confident on the battlefield, under the most severe fires. In times of trouble, he sometimes stood and prayed.

The love for martyrdom

Martyr Avini was deeply saddened and shed tears after receiving the news of the martyrdom of his friends. During the recording of the " Revayat e Fat'h " program in the operational areas, he cried quietly when he heard the memories of the fighters.

Kindness and good-temperedness

Martyr Avini always greeted his students and listened to their words. It often happened that friends treated Martyr Avini inappropriately, but he stepped forward and forgave.