Annual Report 2013-2014 Annual Report 2013-2014 Farhang Foundation is a non-religious, non-political, and not-for-profit foundation dedicated to celebrating and promoting the study and research of Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community at large. Farhang at a Glance Constituencies A. Trustees, Council Members, Advisors & Supporters Iranians, Iranophiles, and Iran Scholars who support the mission of Farhang Foundation and our programs by donating their time, knowledge, and financial support. B. Iranian Americans (Iranians in our community) These are the people that most immediately relate to and benefit from learning more about their art and culture. They are also the individuals who will later be our cultural ambassadors to the community-at-large. C. Non-Iranians (community-at-large) We feel that Iranian art and culture can contribute positively and should be woven into the multi-colored tapestry of great cultures that comprise America. That’s why our mission at Farhang Foundation is to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community-at-large. 3 Annual Report 2013-2014 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents Letter from the Chairman: Farhang’s 6th Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2014 Nowruz Banner Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2014 Nowruz Programming Proposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Status of Women in Iran Through the Ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recreating Pasargadae: Cyrus the Great’s Paradise – Premiere Screening & PBS Broadcast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Day at the Getty Villa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cyrus Cylinder: Modern Myths and Ancient Realities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Cyrus Cylinder: Ancient Rights, Modern Liberties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cyrus the Great: From Ancient Persia to the European Literary Imagination . . . Farhang Generations Council and Cyrus the Great . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cyrus the Great: Conqueror, Father and Messiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Creative Writing Workshop and Reading with Abbas Maroufi at USC . . . . . . . Hamlet, Prince of Grief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Farhang Community and Education Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cyrus the Great: Life & Lore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meet Farhang: Shab-e Yalda Celebration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2013 Farhang Lifetime Achievement & Heritage Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Traveling the Silk Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Annual Persian Literature Student Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lecture and Workshops by Masoud Behnoud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Displacements: The Craft Practices of Golnar Adili & Samira Yamin . . . . . . . . “The House is Black” Media Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Explore Farhang: An Afternoon with Fereydoon Moshiri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Farhang Connect: A Night of Persian Culture with a Contemporary Twist . . . 2014 Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6th Annual Nowruz (Iranian New Year) Celebration at LACMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6-7 8 9 10 11 12-13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 27 28 29 30 31 32-33 34-37 2014 Nowruz Celebration in Orange County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12th Annual Culture Show at UCLA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2014 UCLA Celebration of Iranian Cinema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UCI Lecture Series: Professor Michael M.J. Fischer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Persian Language Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Iranian Studies Initiative at USC: Making History Today! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Focus Iran: Contemporary Photography & Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freedom: A Shared Dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Farhang Sources of Funds 2013-2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Farhang Councils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrons & Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Special Thanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Individuals & Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How You Can Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 38 39 40 41 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48-49 50 50 50 51 51 Annual Report 2013-2014 Letter from the Chairman Annual Report 2013-2014 Letter from the Chairman Letter from the Chairman: Farhang’s 6th Year Dear Friends, In thinking of Farhang Foundation’s first six years, many great moments come to mind. Every program we have hosted, each event we have sponsored, all the people we have met who share our passion for Iranian culture, have left a unique impression. But what stands out most to me are the firsts. I remember our first Nowruz celebration at LACMA, during which a mother told me how excited she was to show Farhang’s Nowruz banners on Wilshire Boulevard to her children. Our first film festival, which opened our eyes to a whole world of talented filmmakers waiting for the opportunity to share their vision of Iranian culture with us. Our first Meet Farhang, which exceeded our expectations by leaps and bounds. These memories are so vivid, it’s as though they took place yesterday...because these firsts have come to represent defining moments in Farhang’s history. universities and museums in Southern California to organize 14 conferences and lectures in support of this monumental exhibition. We also launched the Farhang Community and Education Outreach (CEO) Committee, which set out to promote the ideals of Cyrus the Great to young students by facilitating field trips to see the Cyrus Cylinder and providing “Cyrus Workshops” to local schools. And recently, thanks to the tireless efforts and steadfast dedication of our Fine Arts Council, we announced Freedom: A Shared Dream, an international public urban art competition calling on professional artists from around the world to submit their vision of a work of art that celebrates the ideals of Cyrus the Great. The winning submission will be gifted to the city of Los Angeles on behalf of the Iranian American community by Farhang Foundation and installed in the heart of Six years later, we continue to have defining West Los Angeles as a monument to human rights, moments. Last year, our Board and all of our freedom and tolerance -- ideals that have shaped Councils joined forces to sponsor and promote the Cyrus’s legacy. exhibition of the legendary Cyrus Cylinder in Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community After years of planning, executing, spreading the outside Iran, for the first time in history. The Cyrus word, and raising support for our Iranian Studies Cylinder & Ancient Persia: A New Beginning, Initiative (ISI) at USC, the ISI Council of Farhang which took place in October 2013, turned out to be Foundation made history last summer by launching the most successful exhibition in the history of the first Iranian Studies program at the university, the Getty Villa. With just under 75,000 visitors, sponsored by Farhang. This was a special moment this exhibition was an immense success and for all of us at Farhang and stood as a testament to marked the start of a very fruitful relationship the power of the Iranian American community, between Farhang Foundation and the J. Paul Getty whose financial suppor t made this great Museum. We also partnered with several major achievement possible. 6 Our Nowruz at LACMA, now in its sixth year, continues to be one of our most popular events. This year’s program featured a beautiful Haft-Sîn centerpiece; a live concert by the highly acclaimed group Ajam; the world premiere performance of Spring Love by Ziba Shirazi; and our first ever Traditional Iranian Costume Parade where we invited people of all ages to join in the fun by dressing in traditional garb from different regions of Iran. We also hosted one of our most festive Nowruz celebrations in Orange County to date. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts was bustling with a full array of programs, including a puppet show for children, a breathtaking Haft-Sîn, a screening of the top six films from the 2014 Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival, and a special musical performance by the talented Nowruz Ensemble. passionate about their culture and eager to be involved in our activities, hosted its 2nd Annual Farhang Connect and a special afternoon gathering at the Getty Villa and Gladstones in Malibu in support of the Cyrus Cylinder exhibition. We are thrilled by the continued success and growth of the Farhang Generations Council, as it is a happy reminder that our culture will thrive for many generations to come. We also hosted an enchanting Meet Farhang this past year, marking the beloved occasion of “Shab-e Yalda” (the winter solstice) with recitations of the soul-stirring poetry of Hafez and traditional dishes including ash-e anar. And of course, we once again gathered in Orange County for Explore Farhang, an exceptional and illuminating af ternoon celebrating the life and works of the one and only Fereydoon Moshiri. None of our efforts would be possible without the leadership of Farhang’s Board of Trustees; our Councils and management team; the input and guidance of our Committees; and the support of our generous community of donors, volunteers, and the countless people who attend our events and continue to help shape our defining moments. These defining moments are significant not because of what they say about our organization, but what they say about the Iranian American community as a whole. These moments represent our collective efforts and successes. They stand as tribute to our commitment to making meaningful and lasting contributions to our world. With gratitude, Our councils have continued to make us proud by furthering Farhang’s mission in their respective areas. One of our newest councils, the Farhang Generations Council, which was created to bring Ali C. Razi together young Iranian Americans who are Chairman, Board of Trustees 7 Annual Report 2013-2014 Community Involvement / Contests 2014 Nowruz Banner Contest Since 2010, Farhang Foundation has been calling on the public to help us promote our annual Nowruz celebration at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). We continue to be amazed by the many talented artists from near and far who share their art with us. This year’s winning submission was created by Afsoon Riazi, a graphic designer based in Vancouver, Canada. At the heart of her design was a bright red apple, which is among the seven essential items featured in the Haft-Sîn, one of the traditional centerpieces of Nowruz. festivities gracefully represent the renewal of the earth that occurs with the arrival of spring. This idea inspired me to create a symbolic illustration that embodies a new beginning in both eastern and western culture, through the use of the wellrecognized motif of the Persian paisley (boteh jeghe) and the apple tree to reflect health and beauty in the renewal of the Earth.” Community Involvement / Contests 2014 Nowruz Programming Proposals For the third year in a row, we reached out to our global network of artists, performers, and writers, seeking their ideas for theater, dance, and/or musical performance pieces that explored the history and themes of Nowruz, which we would then help bring to fruition as part of our annual Nowruz celebration at LACMA. This year’s winning piece, Spring Love, came to us from Ziba Shirazi, an Iranian American poet, singer, songwriter, and storyteller. Through a splendid blend of music, dance, and imagery, Spring Love premiered to a packed house at LACMA’s Bing Theater during our annual Nowruz celebration. Featured on street banners along prominent boulevards throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, Afsoon Riazi’s design helped us “Nowruz always invokes bright, inspiring and announce the arrival of Spring and Farhang cordial memories that delightfully resonate in all of Foundation’s 6th Annual Nowruz (Iranian New my Nowruz-related projects,” said Afsoon Riazi. “Its Year) Celebration. 8 9 Annual Report 2013-2014 Conference Social Status of Women in Iran Through the Ages Culture / Film Recreating Pasargadae: Cyrus the Great’s Paradise Premiere Screening & PBS Broadcast Farhang Foundation participated in this year’s Iranian American Women’s Leadership Conference, which took place in Orange County. The popular annual conference, attended by more than 750 guests, featured a special panel sponsored by Farhang Foundation. Moderated by Farhang’s Executive Director, Bita Milanian, the discussion explored the Social Status of Women in Iran Through the Ages and featured the insights of notable scholars including Janet Afary (Professor of Religious Studies and Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara), Haleh Emrani (Research Associate at UCI Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture), and Nahid PirnazarOberman (Lecturer of Iranian Studies at UCLA). Our participation in this conference served as a precursor to The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning, giving us the opportunity to spread the word and generate buzz on the historic exhibition. 10 Farhang Foundation hosted the premiere screening of Recreating Pasargadae: Cyrus the Great’s Paradise at a sold-out New Port Theater. UC Irvine’s Dr. Touraj Daryaee joined us and kicked off the evening with an introduction. Recreating Pasargadae: Cyrus the Great’s Paradise, a documentary by awardwinning filmmaker Farzin Rezaeian, gave viewers a rare glimpse into the palaces and gardens of Cyrus the Great at Pasargadae, the first capital of the Persian Empire, faithfully reconstructed through state-of-the-art computer and visual technology. Featuring several scholars of Ancient Persia, each examining the various unique features of this metropolis, Recreating Pasargadae: Cyrus the Great’s Paradise was well received by the audience. Shortly thereafter, the documentary had its broadcast premiere on PBS SoCal and aired once again a few weeks later, with PBS reporting that both broadcasts captivated more than 55,000 viewers. The premiere screening and subsequent PBS broadcasts of this fascinating documentary created a great deal of enthusiasm and anticipation in the days and weeks leading to the opening of the Cyrus Cylinder exhibition at the Getty Villa. 11 Annual Report 2013-2014 In 2013, for the first time in history, the Cyrus Cylinder, one of the ancient world’s most celebrated artifacts of freedom and human rights, traveled to 5 major U.S. cities in an exhibition titled The Cyrus Cylinder & Ancient Persia: A New Beginning. Accompanied by sixteen objects, the exhibition showcased the innovations initiated by Persian rule in the Ancient Near East (550 BC-331 BC), when the Persian Empire was the largest the world had known. Farhang Foundation is proud to have been the sole financial and community sponsor of the tour’s final stop, Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran, and worked closely with the Getty Museum to ensure a successful exhibition at the Getty Villa from October 2 – December 8, 2013. The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning, with just less than 75,000 visitors, became the number one exhibit based on weekly attendance average, in the history of the Getty Villa! Culture Culture During the weeks leading to and following this historic exhibition, Farhang Foundation sponsored over 14 programs including a series of academic conferences, film screenings, books, lectures and educational opportunities in collaboration with notable institutions such as the Getty, LACMA, USC, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, and the PBS SoCal broadcast of Recreating Pasargadae: Cyrus the Great’s Paradise, to promote the ideals behind the Cyrus Cylinder. Through these programs Cyrus the Great and his ideals were introduced to more than 55,000 additional attendees and viewers. J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Villa Farhang supported the publishing of Cyrus the Great: An Ancient Iranian King, a book edited by Dr. Touraj Daryaee, consisting of a collection of scholarly articles discussing Cyrus the Great’s political career, religious practices, literary remains, as well as the English and Persian translation of the Cyrus Cylinder. In his review of the book, Dr. Lloyed Llewellyn Jones, from the University of Edinburgh, calls this an important book, stating that “In less than 100 pages, some of the best scholars in the field provide a lively, informed, and valuable synthesis of current thinking about one of antiquity’s foremost figures. The new English/Persian translations of the infamous Cylinder are not only useful, but much needed. Cyrus the Great has been well served by Touraj Daryaee and his team.” The launch of the Farhang Community and Education Outreach (CEO) Committee allowed students a rare opportunity to learn about our culture through objects like the Cyrus Cylinder, an enduring symbol of universal human rights, 12 religious diversity and freedom. The CEO Committee helped facilitate field trips for over 160 schools and 10,000 students who would not have otherwise had the chance and provided “Cyrus Workshops” to several schools, reaching hundreds of teachers and students in Los Angeles and Orange County. The CEO Committee will continue its efforts to build bridges to more schools in our community in the future, giving more of our community-at-large the opportunity to learn about Iranian art and culture. called, Freedom: A Shared Dream. This large-scale project will celebrate the ideals of Cyrus the Great that resonate with all humanity, with the winning submission to be built and gifted to the City of Los Angeles by Farhang Foundation on behalf of the Iranian American community. The Cyrus Cylinder national tour was organized by the British Museum in partnership with the Iran Heritage Foundation and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery-Smithsonian Institution. The success of this exhibition and its supporting programs is due to the generosity and support of many of our community leaders and patrons. Even though the exhibition is now over, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, its message will resonate for years to come. To ensure this, Farhang Foundation is planning an international scale competition for the design and installation of a permanent piece of urban public art or sculpture 13 Annual Report 2013-2014 Lecture / Community Involvement Community Day at the Getty Villa The Getty Museum designated a special day for the Iranian American community to come together and enjoy special programming at the Getty Villa as part of The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning exhibition. The day featured two short talks by David Saunders (Assistant Curator, Antiquities) in the Auditorium and special musical performances by Hamid Saeidi and Ensemble, in the Inner Peristyle. Farhang Foundation was honored to be a part of this delightful day. Culture / Lecture Cyrus Cylinder: Modern Myths and Ancient Realities We were delighted to help our friends at the USC Middle East Studies Program host a highly successful and well-attended scholarly panel on the Cyrus Cylinder. With mostly students in attendance, Cyrus Cylinder: Modern Myths and Ancient Realities, moderated by Lynn Dodd (Associate Professor of the Practice of Religion at USC), explored Persian history and the early roots of human rights that sprouted long ago from ancient Persia as demonstrated by the role that Cyrus the Great played in liberating the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity. Panelists included Elizabeth Carter (Chair, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at UCLA), Ryan Byrne (Research Associate, University of Texas, Austin), Bruce Zuckerman (Myron and Marian Casden Director and Professor of Religion and Linguistics at USC), and Tamara Eskenazi (Professor of Bible at the Hebrew Union College). This successful event served as a prelude to a panel hosted by the USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism that focused on the broader, global implications of the Cyrus Cylinder. Right Image: The Immortal Soldiers at Darius’ Palace at Susa 14 15 Annual Report 2013-2014 Conference / History The Cyrus Cylinder: Ancient Rights, Modern Liberties Conference / History Cyrus the Great: From Ancient Persia to the European Literary Imagination Farhang Foundation sponsored a conference titled The Cyrus Cylinder: Ancient Rights, Modern Liberties at the University of California, San Diego, moderated by Babak Rahimi (Associate Professor in the Department of Literature at UCSD), which included the unique and scholarly perspectives of experts offering a different viewpoint of the Cyrus Cylinder. The speakers included Guillermo Algaze (Chair of the Anthropology Department at UCSD), who discussed archaeological evidence on the political tradition of making cylinders in the ancient Near East; Anthony Edwards (Chair of the Literature Department at UCSD), who discussed the Greek perceptions of Cyrus the Great as a fiercely independent ruler both wise and just; Ali Gheissari (Adjunct Professor in Modern World and Middle East History at the University of San Diego), who expanded upon the symbolic role of Cyrus under Qajar rule; and Afshin Marashi (Farzaneh Family Chair in Iranian Studies and Associate Professor in the Department of International and Area Studies at the University of Oklahoma), who focused on the role of Cyrus during the Pahlavi era as a symbol of modernity and renewal. The well-attended conference began with a Traditional Persian music performance by Kouroush Taghavi, Ali Sadr, and Milad Jahadi, and concluded with a lively Q&A. 16 Education and entertainment merged at UC Irvine with Cyrus the Great: From Ancient Persia to the European Literary Imagination, an all-day conference on Cyrus that also included a film screening and special live music performance. The program began with opening remarks by Touraj Daryaee (Professor of History at UCI) and continued with the insights of four other scholars, each presenting a unique look at Cyrus through the lens of history. Rahim Shayegan (Associate Professor of Iranian Studies at UCLA) discussed tolerance for different religious and ethnic groups not only as demonstrated by Cyrus himself, but by other Achaemenid rulers. Ali Mousavi (Lecturer in Iranian Archaeology at UCLA) followed with a presentation on how Pasargadae and the tomb of Cyrus were viewed within the Abrahamic traditions. Khodadad Rezakhani (Visiting Assistant Professor at University of Nevada, Reno) spoke on the appearance of Cyrus the Great in Icelandic literature, and Sheiba Kaufman (Graduate Student at UCI), discussed the notion of hospitality in ancient Persia and the rediscovery of Cyrus the Great by notables of the Renaissance Era. The program concluded with the screening of Intolerance by D.W. Griffith and a live music performance developed specially for this showing by Hesam Abedini and Sibarg Ensemble, with film historian Allison Perlman (Assistant Professor of History and Film and Media Studies at UCI) speaking on the significance of the film and the filmmaker. 17 Annual Report 2013-2014 Lecture / Youth Programming Farhang Generations Council and Cyrus the Great: Lecture / History Cyrus the Great: Conqueror, Father and Messiah An Afternoon at the Getty Villa & Gladstones Malibu Farhang’s Generations Council hosted an inspiring and entertaining afternoon where guests met up at Gladstones Malibu and enjoyed a ride on a chartered bus to the Getty Villa to partake in a highly popular lecture titled Authority and Autonomy in the Achaemenid Persian Empire, by archaeologist and Associate Professor Elspeth Dusinberre, and to visit the Cyrus Cylinder. After the museum visit, guests returned to Gladstones to mingle alongside the Pacific Ocean, sip on Persian themed cocktails, take in the view, and unwind at the Malibu location. Launched in 2012, the Farhang Generations Council is dedicated to the continued success, education and passion of young Iranian Americans and the community at large and strives to further Farhang Foundation’s mission by creating a platform for Iranian ar t and culture to flourish upon for forthcoming generations. We had the pleasure of sponsoring Cyrus the Great: Conqueror, Father and Messiah, a free and illuminating lecture by Touraj Daryaee (Professor of History at UCI) at LACMA, examining the history and significance of Cyrus the Great, which was followed by a special encore screening of Recreating Pasargadae: Cyrus the Great’s Paradise, a film by award-winning author and documentary filmmaker, Farzin Rezaeian. Background Image: Tomb of Cyrus in 1841, after Flandin and Coste 18 19 Annual Report 2013-2014 Lecture Creative Writing Workshop and Reading with Abbas Maroufi at USC Abbas Maroufi, the well-known contemporary writer, led a creative writing workshop at USC, which was presented by the Persian Academic and Cultural Student Association (PACSA) at USC, and sponsored by Farhang Foundation. The workshop series kicked off with a lecture and was followed by a reading from one of Abbas Maroufi’s novels. Taking place over the course of six sessions, the series covered a number of topics including interactive writing, introduction of modern writing elements, and a comparison of different writing styles. In addition to the six sessions, the workshop included two movie screenings, followed by discussions on the story elements featured within each movie. 20 Performing Arts Hamlet, Prince of Grief The Persian Academic and Cultural Student Association (PACSA) at USC presented Hamlet, Prince of Grief, a one-man show by Leev Theater Group exploring the themes of domestic and political betrayal and death. It featured a moving performance by the acclaimed actor Afshin Hashemi, who was on hand for a poignant Q&A session afterwards. Written by Mohammad Charmshir, directed by Mohammad Aghebati, and produced by Mehrnoush Aliaghaei, Hamlet, Prince of Grief has been praised by audiences as well as the New York Times for its stylized and eccentric take on Hamlet. Farhang Foundation was a proud sponsor of this thought-provoking theatrical experience which blended modern and classical themes within an avant garde, yet tangible, format. The wellattended event appealed to a diverse audience of both Iranians and non-Iranians. 21 Annual Report 2013-2014 Education / History Conference / History Farhang Community and Education Outreach Cyrus the Great: Life & Lore Farhang Foundation launched its Community and Education Outreach (CEO) Committee to spearhead efforts to promote the ideals of Cyrus the Great and the Cyrus Cylinder exhibition through a variety of educational programs geared towards local students. The CEO Committee helped facilitate field trips for over 160 schools and 10,000 students. In addition to reaching out to students, Farhang Foundation also sponsored the UC Irvine History Project to host a learning opportunity for teachers. Our Cyrus-themed programming culminated with a two-day international conference entitled Cyrus the Great: Life & Lore at UCLA. With the participation of many scholars from various universities including UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Boston University, University of Newcastle, UK and others, this comprehensive symposium spanned the course of two days. The first day – The World of Cyrus – explored Cyrus’s religious policy within the Mesopotamian context, the portrayal of Cyrus in the Bible, the creation of Pasargadae, and various This project, called Ancient Kingship and the Cyrus Cylinder, provided teachers with further information on the Cyrus Cylinder, including ideas on how to incorporate it within their standardsaligned curriculum. Though the Cyrus Cylinder exhibition has come to an end, Farhang’s CEO Committee will continue to create and promote educational opportunities for students and teachers to learn more about Iranian history and culture. other topics. The following day – The Reception of Cyrus – examined the ways in which Cyrus and other Achaemenids were received by dif ferent peoples throughout various stages of history, including Greco Romans, Muslims, Zoroastrians, and Arabs. Cyrus the Great: Life & Lore was presented by UCLA Iranian Studies, in collaboration with the Amuzegar Chair in Iranian Studies and the Musa Sabi Chair in Iranian Studies, with the major support of Farhang Foundation, IHF America, and the generous support of Semnani Family Foundation. Speakers and Moderators Rémy Boucharlat, Université Lyon 2 Maria Brosius, University of Newcastle, UK Aaron Burke, UCLA Elizabeth Carter, UCLA Kathlyn (Kara) Cooney, UCLA Michael Cooperson, UCLA Touraj Daryaee, UCI Olga Davidson, Boston University Jacco Dieleman, UCLA 22 Domenico Ingenito, UCLA Sarah Morris, UCLA Ali Mousavi, UCLA Marek Olbrycht, University of Rzeszów Beate Pongraz-Leisten, NYU David Schaberg, UCLA Hanspeter Schaudig, University of Heidelberg, Germany Jason Schlude, Duquesne University 23 William Schniedewind, UCLA M. Rahim Shayegan, UCLA David Stronach, UC Berkeley Marvin Sweeney, Claremont School of Theology Matthew Waters, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Annual Report 2013-2014 Culture / Traditions 2013 Farhang Lifetime Achievement & Heritage Awards Meet Farhang Shab-e Yalda Celebration We celebrated the winter solstice (Shab-e Yalda) alongside friends at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica, while enjoying Haleh Mahboubi Gabbay’s recitations of Hafez. With storytelling by Gordafarid, a live musical performance by Kamran Thunder, Mohammad Hasani, and Arash Shapouri, and Awards traditional Yalda-themed appetizers including ash-e anar, pomegranate, watermelon, and ajil, Meet Farhang: Shab-e Yalda Celebration marked Farhang’s first official celebration of Yalda, the start of a new tradition we look forward to sharing with our community for many years to come. 24 The 2013 Farhang Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the remarkable painter, scholar, and architect, Professor Houshang Seyhoun, in recognition of his celebrated and lasting contributions to modernization of Iranian traditional architecture and mentorship of generations of aspiring Iranian architects and fine arts students. Culinary guru Najmieh Batmanglij, was the recipient of the 2013 Farhang Heritage Award in honor of her passionate dedication and relentless commitment to excellence in promoting Persian culture through its rich, ancient and deep-rooted culinary art. Since 2009, Farhang Foundation has presented the Farhang Heritage and Lifetime Achievement Awards to talented and renowned individuals in recognition of their unparalleled contributions to Iranian studies and culture. Past recipients have included Professor Ehsan Yarshater, Professor Richard Nelson Frye, Professor Amin Banani, poet Simin Behbahani, scholar Iraj Afshar, Professor Hossein Ziai, Professor Abbas Milani, and filmmaker Bahram Beyzaie. For more information on the annual Farhang Heritage and Lifetime Achievement Awards, visit Farhang.org/Awards. 25 Annual Report 2013-2014 History Lecture / Literature Traveling the Silk Road Programming at USC with PACSA The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County presented a unique exhibit this past year that Farhang Foundation was proud to help sponsor. Traveling the Silk Road: Ancient Pathway to the Modern World was an immersive journey across the Silk Road and the ancient cities it passed through nearly 1,000 years ago. The Persian Academic and Cultural Student Association (PACSA) at USC hosted a literature contest, which was sponsored by Farhang Foundation. Open to students and recent graduates worldwide, the First Annual Persian Literature Student Contest called for poetry and short story submissions written in the Persian language. The winning submissions will receive $250 (first place) and $100 (second place) in each category. In addition, the winners will be acknowledged at an awards ceremony and their works will be published in a Persian publication. First Annual Persian Literature Student Contest Lecture and Workshops by Masoud Behnoud Farhang Foundation was proud to sponsor a lecture and two workshops by Masoud Behnoud, presented by the Persian Academic and Cultural Student Association (PACSA) at USC. The lecture by Masoud Behnoud, a prominent Iranian journalist, historian, and writer, covered a range of topics in literature and journalism in the current atmosphere of Iran, and was followed by a Q&A session. The workshops took place the following week, which included discussions on the Discontinuity of History in Iran and Iranian Media in Exile. 26 27 Annual Report 2013-2014 Art Performance Art Displacements: The Craft Practices of Golnar Adili & Samira Yamin “The House is Black” Media Performance Displacements brought together Iranian American artists Golnar Adili and Samira Yamin, whose mixed and multi-media works, utilizing old family photographs from Iran, evoked sentiments of loss and longing. Their works included video, mixed-media lightboxes, and hand-stitched paper. The exhibition, curated by Arash Saedinia and sponsored by Farhang Foundation, took place at Craft & Folk Art Museum (CAFAM). The highly anticipated 45-minute preview of The House is Black, a media-film-performance project sponsored by Farhang Foundation and created by celebrated singer Sussan Deyhim, took place at the UCL A Freud Playhouse. Inspired by the works of Forugh Farrokhzad, and set to an original Embrace-Pillow, Golnar Adili, fabric, paper, batting, wood, 2013. Courtesy of the Craft & Folk Art Museum and the artist. score composed by Deyhim and the Golden Globe winning composer Richard Horowitz, this special evening was an emotional exploration of the works of one of contemporary Iranian literature’s most cherished poets. Scotoma, Samira Yamin, video still, 2014. Courtesy of the Craft & Folk Art Museum and the artist. 28 29 Annual Report 2013-2014 Poetry Explore Farhang Youth Programming Farhang Connect: An Afternoon with Fereydoon Moshiri A Night of Persian Culture with a Contemporary Twist! We hosted another installment of Explore Farhang at the Radisson Hotel Newport Beach to celebrate the beloved Iranian poet Fereydoon Moshiri (19262000). This program featured a discussion on the vision, poetry, and life of Moshiri, as well as recitations of his poetry by special guest speaker Fereidoun Farahandouz. Moshiri, who was widely known for his influence on modern poetry, inspired younger generations of poets for years to come. Among his notable works are Teshne-ye Toofan (Thirsty for the Storm), Abr-o-Koocheh (The Cloud and the Alley), and Bahar Ra Bavar Kon (Believe the Spring). When we launched the Farhang Generations Council – dedicated to furthering the foundation’s mission by engaging forthcoming generations of Iranian Americans in Iranian art and culture – we had no idea how well received this effort would be. At its 2nd Annual Farhang Connect: A Night of Persian Culture with a Contemporary Twist! at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, the Farhang Generations Council hosted a mixer that brought together young Iranian American professionals, who are passionate about their heritage, for a chance to kick back, hang out, and get to know each other. Fereidoun Farahandouz 30 31 Annual Report 2013-2014 Film Film FarhangFilmFest.Org Each year, we call on artists and filmmakers from all countries and ethnicities to submit short films that visualize some aspect of Iranian culture in the hopes of sparking worldwide interest in its customs. The 2014 Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival received more than 100 submissions from all over the globe, including the United States, Iran, Canada, and Italy, making it one of our most globally diverse festivals to date. The special evening’s MC was Shirin Rajaee. The evening also included a red-carpet arrival in honor of the filmmakers and a reception featuring Persian-themed appetizers. This year’s first place winner was Mr. Mean (Aghaye Past) (Canada) by KAJART, earning the top prize of $10,000. K-von Presents: A Splash of Nowruz (USA) by Kevan Moezzi & Steven Gute came in second place and won $5,000. Third place winner and the recipient of After weeks of deliberating, the Farhang Film $3,000 was Lady with Flower-Hair (Khanum-e Festival jury, made up of scholars and industry Gol Mikhaki) (Iran) by Sarah Tabibzadeh. veterans including Mark Amin (Film Festival Committee Chair), Nazanin Boniadi, Hassan Rounding out the top six submissions were Ildari, Hamid Naficy, Navid Negahban, Mahnaz Brain of Terror (USA) by Kathreen Khavari; Newman and Farhang Foundation’s Board of Bride of Rain (Iran) by Ako ZandKarimi; and Trustees, announced the winning films before The Legend of Gheysar (USA) by Amirali a live audience at an award ceremony at the Haghayeghi, listed in alphabetical order. Leo S. Bing Auditorium at LACMA. 32 33 Annual Report 2013-2014 Traditions | Performing Arts Traditions | Performing Arts Celebrating Nowruz 2014 6th Annual Nowruz Celebration at LACMA Once again this year, Farhang Foundation hosted a spectacular Nowruz festivity at L ACMA, our signature event drawing thousands of visitors to the museum each year. Throughout the month of March, our Nowruz street banners, designed by graphic designer Afsoon Riazi were posted along prominent locations in town, announcing the coming of Spring and our Nowruz celebration. Co-sponsored by LACMA’s Art of the Middle East CONTEMPORARY, our program kicked off with the 2014 Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival, which included a screening of this year’s top submissions, an award ceremony, and a reception in recognition of the winning films. The following day, we celebrated the Iranian New Year the only way we know – with an electric, daylong celebration, free and open to the public, all across the LACMA grounds. The day’s lively lineup of activities included music, live performances, storytelling and calligraphy for children, and a traditional Nowruz display known as Haft-Sîn. This year, we invited people of all ages to participate in the newest addition to our lineup, the Traditional Iranian Costume Parade, which also included a chance to win prizes. 34 Inside the Bing Theater, the official Nowruz program got underway with the world premiere performance of Spring Love by Ziba Shirazi, Iranian American poet, singer, songwriter, and storyteller. Through a splendid blend of music, dance, and imagery, Spring Love celebrated the timeless traditions of Nowruz through the story of three generations of a family experiencing love at first sight. chef Hoss Zare (who has been featured in Food & Wine Magazine). Paying homage to the musical tradition of Nowruzkhāni – an age-old custom whereby performers would visit towns announcing the arrival of Spring – the outdoor concert by the dynamic London-based musical group Ajam, brought the crowd to its feet. Throughout the day, guests were able to enjoy Persian-inspired dishes and a variety of delectable eats by chef Rui Wang of the Patina Group at LACMA and the talented San Francisco-based 35 Annual Report 2013-2014 Traditions | Performing Arts Traditions | Performing Arts 36 37 Annual Report 2013-2014 Traditions | Performing Arts 2014 Nowruz Celebration in Orange County Open and free to the public, the 2014 Nowruz Celebration in Orange County took place on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. The day offered visitors a full slate of activities perfect for the whole family, including programming for children with the support of Khayam Persian School, a puppet show by Vida Ghahremani, a traditional Haft-Sîn designed by Taraneh Ajdar of Elegant Sofreh Design, screening of the top six films from the 2014 Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival, and a spectacular musical experience made possible by the Nowruz Ensemble, Pezhham Akhavass (tonbak), Mehdi Bagheri (kamancheh), Hamidreza Maleki (santur), and Sahba Motallebi (tar) with guest vocalist Mamak Khadem. 38 Culture | Traditions 12th Annual Culture Show at UCLA Perhaps one of the most crucial and rewarding aspects of our mission at Farhang Foundation is our support of youth-driven cultural activities. This is why we have worked so hard to create an Iranian Studies program at USC and launched the Farhang Generations Council. It is also why for the past several years we have sponsored the Annual Culture Show, hosted by the Iranian Student Group at UCLA. This very special program demonstrates the deep passion younger generations of Iranian Americans have for our culture and their commitment to sharing it with others. Each year, the Iranian Student Group at UCLA brings the Freud Playhouse to its feet through a dynamic program aiming to celebrate and promote traditional Iranian cultural practices. Featuring the incomparable Shahrzad Sepanlou and the UCLA Traditional Persian Music Ensemble, the 12th Annual Culture Show at UCLA was a dynamite experience, infused with upbeat music and lively dance and musical performances. We are proud of the passion demonstrated by the Iranian Student Group at UCLA year after year and honored to support their efforts. 39 Annual Report 2013-2014 Film Lecture / Education 2014 UCLA Celebration of Iranian Cinema UCI Lecture Series: Professor Michael M.J. Fischer For the fourth year in a row, Farhang Foundation once again sponsored the UCLA Celebration of Iranian Cinema, presented by the UCLA Film & Television Archive. For more than 20 years, this highly acclaimed cinema series has delighted movie lovers by showcasing the gems of Iranian cinema, new and old. Payman Maadi Ali Karim Rouhollah Hejazi Jamsheed Akrami This year’s program opened with the film Snow on the Pines (2013) and was followed by a reception, hosted by Farhang Foundation at Napa Valley Grille, in honor of the director of the film, Payman Maadi, who was there in person to participate in a post-screening Q&A. Featuring a diverse selection of films showcasing unique styles of filmmaking and storytelling across a variety of genres, this year’s lineup included Bending the Rules (2013) by Behnam Behzadi; The Bright Day (2013) by Hossein Shahabi; I Hate the Dawn (2013) by Ali Karim; The Wedlock (2013) by Rouhollah Hejazi; Parviz (2013) by Majid Barzegar; A Cinema of Discontent (2013) by Jamsheed Akrami; From Tehran to London (2012) by Mania Akbari; Dancing Mania (2013) by Roya Akbari; One. Two. One. (2011) by Mania Akbari; Dingomaro (2013) by Kamran Heidari; and The Traveler (1974) by Abbas Kiarostami. Several filmmakers were able to join us in person following the screenings of their films. They included Ali Karim, Rouhollah Hejazi, and Jamsheed Akrami. Farhang Foundation and UC Irvine presented an engaging lecture by Michael M.J. Fischer, (Professor of Anthropology and Science and Technology Studies at the Massachuset ts Institute of Technology). With UCI faculty, graduate students, and members of the Iranian American community in attendance, the lecture was very well received and concluded with a question and answer session. We are proud of our longstanding relationship with UC Irvine’s Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture and look forward to many more enriching collaborations in the future. Persian Language Online Farhang Foundation became a sponsor of Persian Language Online, a language learning web resource, developed by the UK-based charity Persian Language Foundation (PLF), with contributors from Cambridge University, St. Andrews University in Scotland, and The University of London. Persian Language Online – which can be accessed at PersianLanguageOnline.com – intends to be a free, multimedia public resource that will serve as a language learning tool for non-Persian speakers as well as second- and third-generation Iranians, Afghans, and Tajiks living outside of Iran. Still in development, the website is a fully functional, free resource that aims to take a learner from zero to a good understanding of basic Persian conversation. Farhang Foundation’s sponsorship of Persian Language Online was one of the many undertakings of the Farhang Community Education Outreach (CEO) Committee, which launched in 2013 as a means to seek and sponsor opportunities that endeavor to inform and educate the public on the many facets of Persian culture. 40 41 Annual Report 2013-2014 Education Iranian Studies Initiative at USC: Making History Today! In June 2013, key leaders from Farhang Foundation and the University of Southern California (USC) gathered at a signing ceremony at the university to officially launch a minor program in Iranian Studies, marking the latest phase of Farhang Foundation’s Iranian Studies Initiative at USC. Since the Iranian Studies Initiative kicked off back in 2010, Farhang Foundation’s efforts have been powered by a generous community of donors contributing more than $875,000 in support. Among the many milestones we have reached in our quest to create a first ever Iranian Studies program at USC, in Fall 2011, Persian language courses taught by Assistant Professor Peyman Nojoumian began through USC Dornsife’s Middle East Studies Program. Last year, the university hired its first lecturer of Iranian History and Culture, Dr. Hani Khafipour, to lead courses in the newly created minor program. With the third and final phase of this initiative within reach – the creation of a fully developed Iranian Studies major program at USC – we are more amped than ever to continue our efforts to make history and create the opportunity for students, both Iranian and non-Iranian alike, to gain a world-class education in Iranian Studies. Community Involvement / Contests FOCUS IRAN Contemporary Photography and Video Farhang Foundation is calling on artists to learn more about and participate in Focus Iran: Contemporary Photography and Video, a group exhibition of approximately 25 photographs and videos that showcase themes related to Iranian culture. Organized by the Los Angeles-based Craft & Folk Art Museum (CAFAM) and Farhang Foundation, the exhibition will take place at CAFAM between January 25 and May 3, 2015. The submission period is July 21 through September 21, 2014. For more information, visit Farhang.org/FocusIran JURY PANEL Steven Albahari Founder and Publisher of 21st Editions Ala Ebtekar Visual Artist Cat Jimenez Executive Director of the Lucie Foundation 42 43 Annual Report 2013-2014 Community Involvement / Contests Farhang Sources of Funds 2013-2014 Freedom: A Shared Dream Farhang Foundation has announced a groundbreaking art competition that calls on professional artists from around the world to participate in a historic opportunity to commemorate the ideals of Cyrus the Great through a work of art that will be permanently installed in the heart of West Los Angeles and will celebrate the principles of freedom, tolerance, unity, and humanity. Inspired by the historic exhibition, The Cyrus Cylinder & Farhang Sources of Funds Ancient Persia: A New Beginning, that took place in Fall 2013 at the Getty Villa, Freedom: A Shared Dream aims to immortalize the values of Cyrus the Great, with the winning submission being built and gifted to the City of Los Angeles by Farhang Foundation on behalf of the Iranian American community. To learn about this exciting opportunity, visit Farhang.org/Freedom Trustees $673,660 General Public $922,000 The esteemed panel of jurors is comprised of: Kamran Diba: Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art - Founder and Architect Shazad Ghanbari: Farhang Foundation Trustee & Competition Chair Linda Komaroff: Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Scott Jay Schaefer: Century City Chamber of Commerce Art Council & The J. Paul Getty Museum Bennett Simpson: Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA), Los Angeles Councils $244,985 Total Income $1,840,645 Please consider financially supporting us with a tax-deductible donation at: Farhang.org/Donate After all, it is our farhang... Contributions received within Farhang’s fiscal year of Apr 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 44 45 Annual Report 2013-2014 Our Team Our Team Farhang Councils Farhang Councils Board of Trustees Management Team Fine Arts Council Generations Council Iranian Studies Council Hormoz Ameri Mark Amin Dar Gabbay Shazad Ghanbari Ahmad Gramian – Vice Chairman Darioush Khaledi Farshad (Fasha) Mahjoor Ron Mavaddat Aria Mehrabi Farhad Mohit – Vice Chairman Shulamit Nazarian Anoosheh M. Oskouian Hooshang Pak Ali C. Razi – Chairman Bita Milanian – Executive Director Hassan Izad – Chief Financial Officer Nazbanoo Sedghi – Cyrus Cylinder Project Manager Sanam Zahir – Programs Manager Eric Anvari – Secretary David. W. Newman – Legal Counsel (Pro Bono) Haydeh Shirmohammadi – Special Projects Director Roshi Rahnama – Chair Firouzeh Ameri Amir Angha Ladan Behnia Azadeh Dadgostar Shahrzad Farhadi Ati Farmani Shazad Ghanbari – Trustee Shahpar Khaledi Homa Mahmoudi Shulamit Nazarian – Trustee Maryam Pak Anousheh Razi Mehrzad Roshan Katy Saei Amir Hemmat – Chair Ali Elahi Ali Fakhari Kamran Mirrafati Farhad Mohit – Co-Chair, Trustee Sara Pak Sheila Parsa Naseem Sagati Haleh Emrani – Chair Amir Aalam Mehrdad Amanat Akbar Azad Hooshang Dadgostar Ahmad Gramian – Trustee Hassan Izad – CFO Ron Mavaddat – Trustee Michael Saei Sussan Sharifian Farrok Yazdi Orange County Council Patron Council UCLA Council Assad Kazeminy – Chair Bizhan (BJ) Fazeli Shazad Ghanbari – Trustee Gilda Gilak – Secretary Fariba Hezar Mona Karimpour Sharo Khastoo Parmis Khatibi Tannaz Mazarei Pedram Mizani Anoosheh M. Oskouian – Trustee Dariush Rachedi Abdi Rais – Chair Pouria Abbassi Nazfar Afshar Farhad Bahar Ahmad Gramian – Trustee Said Jabbari Afshin Kateb Reza Momeni Hadi Morshed Mark Amin – Trustee Farhad Mohit – Trustee Ali C. Razi – Trustee Advisory Committee Janet Afary – University of California Santa Barbara Elizabeth Carter – University of California Los Angeles Fereshteh Daftari – Independent Scholar and Curator Touraj Daryaee – University of California Irvine, Academic Coordinator Layla Diba – Independent Scholar and Curator Arash Khazeni – Pomona College Linda Komaroff – Los Angeles County Museum of Art Afshin Matin-Asgari – California State University Los Angeles Sheida Mohamadi – Poet-in-Residence at Maryland University Ali Mousavi – Visiting Professor of Iranian Archaeology, UCLA Shirin Neshat – Modern Art Nasrin Rahimieh – University of California Irvine Shardad Rohani – COTA Symphony Orchestra-Los Angeles Kourosh Taghavi – Namâd Ensemble 46 47 Annual Report 2013-2014 Patrons & Donors 2013-2014 Contributors Diamond Patrons ($20,000+) Hormoz and Fariba Ameri Jamsheed and Goli Ameri Mark Amin Houshang and Yassaman Dadgostar David and Orna Delrahim Dariush and Haleh Gabbay Shazad Ghanbari Ahmad Gramian and Haleh Emrani Darioush and Shahpar Khaledi Homa Kolahi Anoosheh M. Oskouian Fasha and Fariba Mahjoor Mehran and Nahid Mavaddat Aria Mehrabi, Ph.D. Farhad and Nushin Mohit Shulamit Nazarian Younes and Soraya Nazarian Hooshang and Maryam Pak Rod Palmer Ali C. and Anousheh Razi Babak Razi Michael and Katy Saei Bahram Simzar Mehran and Laila Taslimi Shidan Taslimi Ardeshir and Tania Tavangarian Farrok and Mahvash Yazdi Platinum Patrons ($10,000 - $19,999) Wisfe and Jamileh Aish Fred (Manuchehr) and Firouzeh Ameri Ali and Mojgan Amin Mahmood and Shirin Amin Reza Amin Sam and Rene Anabi Patrons / Donors Patrons / Donors Contributions received within Farhang’s fiscal year of Apr 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 Ron Appel Akbar and Mandana Azad Bahram and Mojgan Jalali Isaac and Angela Larian Hengameh Lebastchi Alireza Mahdavi Hadi and Shahrzad Morshed David and Angella Nazarian Sam Nazarian Leon and Firoozeh Neman Abdi Rais Keyhan Shakib and Roshi Rahnama Andrew Tavakoli Parviz and Vida Vazin Gold Patrons Mason and Ati Farmani Manochehr and Mahnaz Nazarian Parviz and Pouran Nazarian George and Marcela Pearson Dariush and Sarvenaz Rachedi Michael Razi Hamid Shafipour and Fereshteh Amin Shahrokh and Nazanin Shamtobi Dariush and Haydeh Shirmohammadi Frederick and Laurie Smith Michael C. Stead Hamid and Zahra Tabibzadeh Farshid Zanjani Majid and Sohaila Zarrinkelk Hooman and Tricia Zarrinkelk ($5,000 - $9,999) Silver Patrons Frayan and Leila Afifi Kambiz and Lily Babaoff Ladan Behnia Nasser and Eliane Cohanim Philip and Josiane Cohanim Howard Coleman Asa Cosby Hooshang and Fereshteh Dalavarian Hooman and Tiffany Dayani Shahrzad Farhadi Bahman Ghobbeh Ray and Dalia Goel Mehdi and Shahla Hemmat Mahmood and Farah Jazayeri Sharo Khastoo Parmis Khatibi Afreh Khazaee Berouz and Minoo Mahboubi Yar and Noushin Meshkaty Pedram and Jacquelyn Mizani Bijan and Mahnaz Nahai Mousa and Fran Namvar Amir Alexandre Aalam Nazfar Afshar Amir A. Angha John and Hilda Arnold Foundation Farhad and Sarvenaz Bahar Azadeh Dadgostar Fariba Hezar Mojgan Karian Mona Karimpour Afshin Kateb Assad Kazeminy Wahideh Khaleeli Kathy Maghbouleh Homa Mahmoudi Michael & Nazi Mavadat Tannaz Mazarei Bahram Moghaddam Ali Rafati Mehrzad Roshan Shahab and Nazila Tehrani Karmen Younan 48 ($2,500 - $4,999) Bronze Patrons ($1,000 – 2,499) Stefan Adelipour Babak Agah Arya and Azadeh Ardakani Gideon and Helen Ashoori Mehran Bahar William Brinckloe Bijan and Shireen Broukhim Jo Ellen Chatham Vida Darroudi Makan and Michelle Delrahim Shahram Delrahim Shiva Delrahim Kavon Elhami Mandana Farmanfarmaian Bizhan Fazeli Sima Fouladi Soli and Catherine Gabbay Nader and Anita Ghiam Victoria Ghiam Farhad and Latifeh Hagigi Farhad Hajaliloo, M.D. Bruce and Morgan Hakimi Edwin Hausmann Calvin Hedman Amir Hemmat Mark Hill Jimmy and Ricky Horriat Mahmood Hosseinzadeh Mahvash Howell Kia Jam Parviz and Shahla Javdan Venus Karami Sheila Karbassian Iraj Kashani Abe and Sholeh Kashefi Theodore M. Khalili Mariam Khosravani Paul Koretz Sanaz Leoni Bernard and Judith Levin John and Nooshin Malakzad Christopher and Ana Martin Tony and Wendy Mastrangelo Nasser Matloob Behzad Melamed Hooman Melamed Matthew Meza William and Ann Marie Michael Parham Minoo Bahram Mohit Joseph and Sharareh Monasebian Farhad and Farzaneh Morshed Ziba Najafi Mehdy and Soheila Namakian Behrooz Natanzi David and Mahnaz Newman Kamran and Shayesteh Noman Sheila Parsa Morris Pouldar Farshid Frank Pournazarian Nader Rabi Sam Rahimian Bijan Ramineh Rabin Ravaei Bahram Razi Fereshteh Rezaee Andy Saberi Carlos Schmidt Neeru Seth Massoud and Taraneh Shabahang Elias & Shirley Shokrian Farshid and Avid Shooshani Homayoun Shorooghi Hushmand and Mahshid Sohaili Negar Soufer Arman Torbati and Suzanne Khalili 49 Dariush Yashar Ali and Guity Yeganeh Kamran and Sabrina Younesi Ramin and Leila Zabihi Friends of Farhang (below $1,000) H. and B. Abrishami Mohsen Agah Sarah E. Aghassi Arleen Azarmehr Mozafar Behzad Yasaman Cohanim Zarin Delrahim Mariam Eshghi Esfehani Ali Fakhari Keyhaneh Fiouzi Mardkhai and Vida Ghiam Maryam Horiyat Nahid Kamali J. T. Miller Kamran Mirrafati Dora Levy Mossanen David Nahai Sara Pak William Palmer Shirine Reza Shari Rezai John and Hoori Sadler Daniel Saparzadeh Shahram & Sepideh Soleimani Parviz Tahery Bruce Tower Sanford Wilk Annual Report 2013-2014 Special Thanks It Is Our Farhang Special Thanks How You Can Help Sponsors FENDI Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund A & J Environmental Services, Inc. First Credit Bank Advanced America College, INC Force - Vine, LLC American Logistics International, LLC Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles Americlerkship Medical Society Fox Broadcasting Co. Am-Trade Enterprises Fredako Farms, LLC Andrea’s Fashions FRETTE Anto Distinctive Shirt Maker G&M Oil Company, Inc. The Assurance Group, Inc. Gearys Beverly Hills Ava Dental Global RX Pharmacy Azad USA Dr. Kathy Gohar Edmond and Lida Azizi Gursey Schnider, LLP BALENCIAGA Tom Hassid Bank of America House of An Bank of Guam Infiniti of Beverly Hills BBCN Bank Intratek Computer, Inc. Best Cellular Dist. Iranian-American Women Foundation Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car Iranian American Society Bijan Designer for Men JB Levin & Associates Brooks Brothers Jeffrey’s of Beverly Hills Buchalter Nemer Jewels by Allen O BULGARI Jordan Market Califco, LLC Joseph Martin Hair and Beauty California Bank and Trust La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club California Zoroastrian Center Dr. Harold Lancer Cecconi’s West Hollywood Armina Lascu Center for Advanced Periodontal and Leila Heller Gallery Implant Therapy Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Channel Development, Inc. Luxe Rodeo Hotel Dina Cianchetti Magdiel, LLC City National Bank Mary J Beard Hedman Partners Comerica Bank Meslee Insurance Services, Inc. Commercial Petroleum Equipment Alain Mikli Commonwealth Business Bank Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Consolidated Venture Capital Michell Silberberg & Knupp, LLC Convenience Retailers, LLC Montage Beverly Hills Corporate Printing and Graphics Neda Nobari Foundation Dadgostar Law, LLP Nevima International, Inc. Damoka Los Angeles, Inc. No. 1 Fuel Darioush, Napa Valley Nossaman, LLP Downtown LA Motors Mercedes Benz Mandana Orlando Giacomino Drago Overseas Food Distribution, LLC (Golchin) E.Baldi Restaurant Pacific Convenience and Fuels East West Bank Pacific Wealth Management Escrow of the West Phenomenex ETRO Phillips 66 Façonnable Phoenix Houses of California, Inc. Shahram Farshadfar Port Theatre 50 Premier Staffing Solutions, Inc. Prime West, Inc. Primex International Trading Corp. Promotion Plus Sign Co., Inc. Property Banker Realty, Inc. Prowheels, LLC Radisson Newport Beach Rafati Foundation Ramineh, Fani & Nowakhtar, LLP Ritmo Mundo The Ritz Carlton Crystal Robaina Roberta di Camerino Roundtree Automotive Sabzee Mediterranean Market SBE Seyhoun Gallery Smart Levels Media Stratham Homes CUNB OP Sunrise Benefit Sunset Franchise Capital, LLC Ghobad and Nazee Taheri Tara Gallery Tripod Gallery Twenty Twenty Wine Merchants Turkish Airlines United Oil Company US Bank, N. A. U.S. Trust VALENTINO Kurosh ValaNejad Valley Oil Company Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. West Group Design, Inc. Woodbury University ZIBA Jewelry Individuals & Organizations 670AM KIRN Radio Iran Fariba Ameri Jahanshah Ardalan Akbar Azad The Audio / Visual Team at LACMA The California Club Cucina Bene Elegant Sofreh Design The Empty Vase Haleh Gabbay Vida Ghahremani Behrooz Ghavami Gilda Gilak Dr. Latifeh Hagigi Carol Izad Javanan International Weekly Magazine Jordan Market Ketab Corp. Khayam Persian School Foundation Dr. Linda Komaroff LACMA & Staff Neda Rouhani Perfect Shot Studio PrintUp Sabzee Mediterranean Market Shideh Shahraies Jilana Stewart Chef Rui Wang Chef Jean-marc Weber World of Audio & Video Chef Hoss Zaré We are always looking to expand the Farhang Foundation family. If you are interested in joining our efforts, here are some of the ways in which you can help: •Donate financially to support our programs •Volunteer your time and talents •Register for free as a Farhang member •Attend our events with friends and family Visit Farhang.org to find out more! Thank You to Our Volunteers Bahar Amini Miriam Amini Yeganeh Amini Parvin Aminirad Sam Anvãri Sogol Ashrafian Saman Azimtash Dori Banki Sabrina Broomandan Sandra Broomandan Behrooz Cohen Farshad Daneshvar Minoo Dargah Khashayar Dolat Ladan Dorriz Negin Elazari Stephanie Farokhi Payam Farrokhi Maryam Hanser Ani Honarchian Farzaneh Horriat Roujin Jabbari Melika Jahangiri Kimia Karian Eeman Khorramian Omid Koohi Shireen Lankarani Nazafarin Malektojar Amanda Martinez Golnaz Mohebbi Parastoo Moradnouri Roxanna Moridzadeh Nicole Motamed Ladan Nejad Nasim Niktash Nazanin Pajoom Mojan Rezvan Deniz Sadeghi Safoura Sadeghianpour Samira Sariolghalam Hamideh Sharifi Parinosh Sharifi Sahba Shayani Mahta Shayegan Shirin Shirvanifar Kayla Taheri Sonya Tamaddon Yasmeen Tsipena Photo Credits: Vafa Khatami, Manoosh Nabavi - Graphic Design by: Sam Anvãri, Adroit Business Growth Solutions LLC. 51 Arash Vafanejad Roshanak Varjavand Fariba Vesali Farin Yazdani Soroush Yazdi Lilliana Zar Annual Report 2013-2014 P.O. Box 491571 Los Angeles, CA 90049 (310) 666-1546 info@farhang.org Farhang.org