بیانیه نایاک در خصوص اکران فیلم با حضور پرویز پرستویی در جنوب کالیفرنیا
Click here to read this in English. شورای ملی ایرانیان آمریکا (نایاک) در رابطه با نمایش فیلم مستند ‘افسانه بناسان’ یا ‘داستان‌های هزار و یک روز’ در جنوب کالیفرنیا و حواشی آن بیانیه‌ای به شرح ذیل صادر نمود هفته گذشته، نمایش فیلمی مستند در لس‌آنجلس و اورنج کانتی با حضور پرویز پرستویی، هنرپیشه مشهور ایرانی، به جنجال و […]
Shahnameh Comes to Life in the Dazzling Shadow Play: “Feathers of Fire”
For Iranians and the diaspora, one story that is central to our shared identity is the 11th century epic by Ferdowsi, Shahnameh (The Book of Kings). Recollecting the heroic tales and fantastic legends of ancient Iran, Shahnameh is a true masterpiece, comprising over 50,000 couplets that were written over three decades by the renowned poet. More than a collection of stories, Shahnameh embodies a cornerstone of Iranian history and culture. It is regarded by many Iranians as a defining symbol of their identity and a guardian of the Persian language. One Iranian-American artist, Hamid Rahmanian–a Guggenheim fellowship-winning visual artist–has dedicated much of his labor to telling the story of Shahnameh to the widest audience possible.
Celebrating 13 Days of Norooz
For Iranian Americans, the coming of the Spring season brings renewal, celebrations, and festivities with family and friends. The Persian new year, or Norooz, starts at the precise moment that Winter ends and Spring begins. For 13 days Iranians celebrate with various traditions, foods, and most importantly, with visiting family. This year was a particularly difficult time with many festivities cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but we wanted to reflect on the things we have to be grateful for, stay connected to our traditions, and be ever optimistic for the power of Spring’s rebirth. Enjoy our collection of posts for 13 Days of Norooz!
آمریکائیهای ایرانی‌تبار در عصر ترامپ، منع سفر و تهدید جنگ
من در ایالات متحده با والدین ایرانی متولد و بزرگ شده‌ام و همانند فرزندان بسیاری از خانواده‌های مهاجر، با نوعی حس بیگانگی از همنوعان آمریکایی‌ام رشد کرده‌ام. علی رغم آنکه در یک منطقه‌ای که بیشترین تعداد جمعیت ایرانیان در جنوب کالیفرنیا را در خود جای داده بزرگ شدم، به نظر میرسید که هویت من به واسطه تصویری اهریمنی که از ایران در رسانه‌ها و محافل سیاسی آمریکا ارائه می‌شد با خودش در نوعی تقابل بود. اما به جای آنکه سعی کنم هویتم را مخفی کنم، مصمم شدم که از شعارهای سیاسی سطحی عبور کنم و شناخت بهتری از ایران کسب کنم، نهایتاً با این هدف که بتوانم بین کشور موروثی‌ام و کشوری که خانه خود می‌دانم، پیوندی برقرار کنم.
#IAFilmmakers Series: Profile of Tina Gharavi
Though born in Iran, the term world citizen is fitting for filmmaker Tina Gharavi. She left Iran at age six before the ramifications of the revolution had transformed the country. Gharavi left her homeland and her mother to live with her father.
#IAFilmmakers Series: Profile of Gobi Rahimi
Iranian-American director, Gobi Rahimi, immigrated to the United States at a particularly difficult time to be of Iranian heritage in America. Moving to the States shortly after Iranian students seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979, Rahimi was exposed quickly to the challenges of a hyphenated identity often marked by hostility.
#IAFilmmakers Series: Profile of Caveh Zahedi
Born and raised in the United States, Caveh Zahedi is an Iranian-American filmmaker that found his inspiration in films as an outlet for his political interests and artistic expression.
#IAFilmmakers Series: Finding Farideh – A Search for Home
Sitting in a small theater in Southern California, I watched the Iranian documentary film, Finding Farideh, amongst a theater full of fellow Iranian Americans.
#IAFilmmakers Series: Celebrating Iranian-American Filmmakers
Films are a universal medium, a way to communicate across groups, barriers, and borders. They are simultaneously an expression of an individual person and a collective group. Though set in different places and spoken in different languages, films have the power to captivate and connect people in moving ways.
#ICYMI: NIAC’s Annual Sapphire Gala in Los Angeles
On September 21st, NIAC was pleased to host its annual Sapphire Gala in Los Angeles. The evening was marked by an outstanding group of NIAC friends and allies, exceptional speakers, food and entertainment, and, of course, some laughter and levity, thanks to our master of ceremony, Iranian-American comedian K-von.
Transcending Borders: Talking Art & Identity with Kour Pour
Some of the most renowned and celebrated figures in Iran’s vast history are artists and poets. Like many diaspora groups, Iranian Americans often preserve their culture and identity through art and literature.
#IAAuthor Series: Firoozeh Dumas
The Iranian-American experience is hard to define, particularly for those of us who moved to the U.S. at a young age or were born to first generation parents.
I grew up marking “white” on the demographic section of our standardized exams, but grew up knowing that when the substitute teacher took a long pause while taking roll, then she was about to make a culturally sensitive attempt at saying my five-syllable, four-voweled last name.