Cafe Society

Alireza Goudarzi

2019 — Tehran, Iran

About this series

In contemporary Iranian culture, cafés are associated with the French intellectualism that flourished in Tehran and other large cities in the 1940s and 50s. Cafes were a place for political reflection, where people came together to debate new ideas.

Over the past decade, Iran’s cafe culture has changed in response to years of restrictions.
A new generation of Iranians tends to avoid public scrutiny, gathering in places where they have privacy. This has made for a very different cafe sub-culture. There are many symbols that, for social and cultural reasons, can’t be shown in other public spaces. As a result, a younger generation is seeking new places where they can express themselves. Cafes are an alternative to controlled urban spaces. They have transformed from intellectual centres to entertainment spaces. 

Photographer: Alizareza Goudarzi
Nationality: Iranian
Based in: Tehran, Iran
Website: https://alirezagoudarzi.com
Instagram: @alireza_goudarzi

Alireza Goudarzi was born in 1985. He started photography in 2007 with a focus on social documentary photography.
In 2018 he obtained a scholarship from Danish Media and Journalism School. His work focuses on Iran, Afghan emigrants, everyday life in Iran and the changes happening when iranien youth is adapting to western culture.

All these projects are self initiated, and as they are long time projects, they are still in progress.

2014: International Sheed Award, Tehran, Iran
2014: Portraiture Award Festival, Tehran, Iran
2012: Photo Festival of Addiction, Urmia, Iran