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.
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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 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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Annual Report
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Traditions | Performing Arts
Traditions | Performing Arts
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Annual Report
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Annual Report
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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
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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
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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
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Annual Report
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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
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($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
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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
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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.
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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