Title : One Thousand and One Nights
Inspiration : Iranian folktales
Date : March 2019
Length and width : 50×37/5cm_height:37/5cm
The story of “One Thousand and One Nights” is a famous collection of Iranian folk tales. It revolves around the character of Scheherazade, a clever and resourceful storyteller, and the king Shahryar.
Shahryar, the king, was betrayed by his wife and developed a deep distrust towards women. As a result, he would marry a new wife each day and have her executed the following morning to prevent any chance of betrayal. This continued until Scheherazade, the vizier’s daughter, volunteered to marry the king.
Scheherazade had a plan to end this cycle of violence. On the night of their marriage, she began telling Shahryar a captivating story but intentionally left it unfinished at sunrise, sparking his curiosity. To hear the ending, the king spared her life for one more day.
Night after night, Scheherazade would tell a new story, skillfully weaving intricate tales of adventure, romance, and fantasy. Each night, she would leave the story unfinished, ensuring the king’s interest and guaranteeing her survival for another day.
In a nutshell, “One Thousand and One Nights” is a tale of bravery, wit, and the enduring power of storytelling that showcases the triumph of love, wisdom, and humanity over cruelty and mistrust.