Yalda dreamed of having her own art exhibition showcasing the beauty and strength of Iranian women. She wanted to use her art to challenge stereotypes and inspire young women to pursue their creative passions.
Yalda Aghafazli was a 19-year-old art student who was killed on October 26, 2022 - her 19th birthday - while participating in protests in Tehran. She was studying painting at Tehran University of Art and was known for her vibrant artwork depicting freedom and women's rights. Security forces beat her so severely that she died from internal bleeding. Her family was threatened not to speak about her death, but her art professor courageously shared her story and her final paintings with the world.
Art is my voice, and it will echo even after I'm gone
Yalda's death on her birthday became a powerful symbol of youth stolen by tyranny. Her paintings, shared posthumously on social media, inspired a wave of protest art. Artists worldwide created tributes to her, turning her birthday into an annual day of artistic resistance.
A 22-year-old Kurdish woman whose death in police custody after being arrested for "improper hijab" sparked the Woman, Life, Freedom revolution that shook the foundations of the Islamic Republic.
“I just want to go home”
A 16-year-old girl who disappeared during protests. Her last message was a video singing about freedom. Security forces killed her and hid her body, then forced her family to lie about her death.
“I will stay and fight for freedom”
A 16-year-old YouTuber who loved making videos and bringing joy to others. She was beaten to death by security forces during protests in Karaj. The regime forced her family to say she committed suicide.
“Life is beautiful when you are free”
Their Path Continues
The memory of our eternal names lives in our hearts and will continue until Iran is free
Woman, Life, Freedom