Young and old attend 12th annual Iranian culture festival Oct. 12
Alejandro Jimenez
Issue date: 10/20/08 Section: A&E
On Oct. 12, while many Americans sat on the couch to watch football, or maybe take a Sunday nap, local Iranian-Americans young and old went to the Quinlan Community Center in Cupertino to connect with their roots. It was the 12th annual Iranian Arts and Culture Festival, and it was colored with music, dance, art exhibits, poetry readings and a wide variety of ethnic foods.
The purpose of the event was to invite people from Iranian backgrounds in the Bay Area to come together and celebrate the traditions that give Iranian culture its unique flavor.
De Anza English professor Azin Arefi, one of the organizers of the event, said she was particularly interested in getting Iranian youth to attend the event. After inviting everyone to eat lunch, she gave a speech in both English and Farsi on why it was important to have young Iranians in attendance.
"We want the young people to make sure they learn and experience the traditions of Iran," said Arefi. "We are not political or religious but we do promote our culture because young people need it. Just because they are in a foreign country doesn't mean they should forget about these traditions that have been practiced for hundreds of years."
Leila Forouhi, a professional in environmental sciences from Cupertino, said, "A lot of Iranian culture revolves around nature. The Mehrgan Festival celebrates the end of the harvest season and beginning of fall. It is great time to see the Iranian community coming together to preserve and share our culture."
There was a warm and welcoming atmosphere accompanied by soothing piano music in the early hours of the festival. As more and more people arrived, there was a greater sense of connectedness and community in the building.
The cohesive atmosphere was in part due to this year's theme for the event. That theme was to "elevate your individual self and be enlightened by the greater whole." The Persian Sufi poet Rumi was quoted in an e-mail invite saying, "When my essential self unites with the Greater Whole, then every particle of the Universe will become enlightened to my soul ... I will blaze like a candle for the sake of this Union, so that all my life's moments spent on the path of this love will become one."
Indeed, Iranians from around the Bay Area had a place to build community and become one. Some had the opportunity to network while simultaneously learning and practicing their Iranian customs.
The festival was put together by Payvand and the Iranian Federated Women's Club, a nonprofit organization that is both non-political and non-religious. Members say their mission is to integrate the Iranian American community in the Bay Area in an effort to promote Iranian culture and educational services.
This year's festival seemed like it had accomplished just that, by giving the Iranian community a place to gather and celebrate.
The purpose of the event was to invite people from Iranian backgrounds in the Bay Area to come together and celebrate the traditions that give Iranian culture its unique flavor.
De Anza English professor Azin Arefi, one of the organizers of the event, said she was particularly interested in getting Iranian youth to attend the event. After inviting everyone to eat lunch, she gave a speech in both English and Farsi on why it was important to have young Iranians in attendance.
"We want the young people to make sure they learn and experience the traditions of Iran," said Arefi. "We are not political or religious but we do promote our culture because young people need it. Just because they are in a foreign country doesn't mean they should forget about these traditions that have been practiced for hundreds of years."
Leila Forouhi, a professional in environmental sciences from Cupertino, said, "A lot of Iranian culture revolves around nature. The Mehrgan Festival celebrates the end of the harvest season and beginning of fall. It is great time to see the Iranian community coming together to preserve and share our culture."
There was a warm and welcoming atmosphere accompanied by soothing piano music in the early hours of the festival. As more and more people arrived, there was a greater sense of connectedness and community in the building.
The cohesive atmosphere was in part due to this year's theme for the event. That theme was to "elevate your individual self and be enlightened by the greater whole." The Persian Sufi poet Rumi was quoted in an e-mail invite saying, "When my essential self unites with the Greater Whole, then every particle of the Universe will become enlightened to my soul ... I will blaze like a candle for the sake of this Union, so that all my life's moments spent on the path of this love will become one."
Indeed, Iranians from around the Bay Area had a place to build community and become one. Some had the opportunity to network while simultaneously learning and practicing their Iranian customs.
The festival was put together by Payvand and the Iranian Federated Women's Club, a nonprofit organization that is both non-political and non-religious. Members say their mission is to integrate the Iranian American community in the Bay Area in an effort to promote Iranian culture and educational services.
This year's festival seemed like it had accomplished just that, by giving the Iranian community a place to gather and celebrate.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Pouya M
posted 11/10/08 @ 11:33 PM PST
Dear Mr. Jimenez
I enjoyed your piece on the Iranian Cultural festival that was held in San Jose. I truly believe as a young Iranian or youth of any culture it is important for our elders to pass down the stories and traditions that make us unique and beautiful as a people. (Continued…)
Eleanor Lovinfosse
posted 11/11/08 @ 12:28 AM PST
This Iranian cultural festival that Payvand creates every year is an amazing event to attend. They show a wide variety of Iranian traditions and practices; guest are able to sample all the best of Iranian cultural arts in one spectacularly well-planned and beautifully orchestrated day. (Continued…)
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