'The memory of Cohen’s words and music saved me in prison.'

[Hartmut]

'In your book, you write that you frequently thought about Leonard Cohen in prison. Why the fascination with Cohen?

I loved his music when I was growing up. The music is beautiful, but then when I learned English I started to love his poems, the romantic cynical hopefulness of his lyrics. I lived in Montreal for four or five years, just a few blocks from him. You can listen to Leonard Cohen when you feel depressed, lonely and nostalgic, but also when you’re happy or in love. The memory of Cohen’s words and music saved me in prison. It is fascinating that this older Jewish guy from Montreal saved me in the Islamic Republic.'

from:
'118 days in Iran's Evin prison'
http://www.momentmag.com/moment/issues/ ... ahari.html

[Goldin]

Amazing story!
DrHGuy once wrote about it:
Maziar Bahari On The Music Of Leonard Cohen: "Of such stuff is survival made"

You can listen to Leonard Cohen when you feel depressed, lonely and nostalgic, but also when you’re happy or in love.

Happily, there are people who understand this. So true.