Prophet Song

Born in Tehran in 1985, Mina Salehpour moved to Germany with her family in 1994. She has directed productions for some of Europe’s leading theatres, including Schauspiel Hannover, Schaubühne Berlin, Det Norske Teatret in Oslo, and Trøndelag Teater in Trondheim. She is currently affiliated with Dramaten in Stockholm and the Burgtheater in Vienna. Salehpour’s personal history informs her work, which often centers on identity and the complexities of cultural and social diversity. Her visually striking productions bring an acute sensitivity to human stories—often exploring intercultural tensions, social injustice, and the search for meaning in a fractured world.

Irish author Paul Lynch (b. 1977) won the 2023 Booker Prize for Prophet Song. The jury called the novel “devastating and true,” adding that “its warning will not be easily forgotten.” Lynch describes the book as an attempt at radical empathy - a plea to step outside our comfort zones in pursuit of tolerance, compassion, and understanding.

In an increasingly divided world, with millions displaced globally, Prophet Song becomes a vital voice in urging deeper connection and awareness.