سخنرانی بهرام بیضایی درباره سانسور و خفقان، شبهای شعر گوته

In 20 Mehr 1356 (20 October 1977), Behram BiZaii delivered a 30‑minute speech at the Goethe Poetry Nights, criticizing cultural policies and censorship. He argued that censorship is not only carried out by state institutions but also by those who manipulate public opinion. BiZaii highlighted the history of theater and cinema censorship, referencing past incidents involving the "Sultan Mar" theater and the "Abbas Akha Karvar Iran National" theater. He emphasized that artists should not conform to group norms and that censorship turns art into a "knotty" and "complex" form. He concluded by questioning the government’s claim of responsibility for freedom and expressing skepticism about its commitment to liberty. The evening also featured poetry readings by several artists and a report on literary censorship by Shams Al‑Ahmad.