thank you!OUR VOLUNTEERS:

(ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Akhtar Motamed

Banafsheh P.Abadi

Behrooz Ghavami

Haydeh Shirmohammadi

Judith Khakshoui

Latifeh Hagigi

Mahtab Nejad

Maryam Atai

Neda Afsharian

Neda Rohani

Parisa Shabanzadeh

Reza Yeganehshakib

Sahba Shayani

Shervin Emami

Simeen Maghameh

Sofi Etemadi

Zohreh Sadeghi

SPECIAL THANKS &

acknowledgement

DR. LINDA KOMAROFF for her continued support of

Farhang Foundation’s programs at LACMA, without

whose support none of this would be possible.

SABRINA LOVETT for her always positive energy and

dedication to this program’s organization and success.

LACMA AND STAFF for their ongoing support of

Iranian art and culture.

THE AUDIO / VISUAL TEAM AT LACMA for their

professionalism and team work.

KIRN670AM RADIO IRAN for their continued support

and promotion of Farhang’s programs.

JAHAN ARDALAN for lending his creativity and talent

in producing and directing the Farhang Foundation

informational video.

SOCIARTS TEAM for their hard work in managing the

2010 Farhang Short Film Festival.

PUBLIC RELATIONS: Reza Goharzad

PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Bita Milanian

Welcome to Farhang’s Second Annual

Celebration of Nowruz at LACMA!Celebrating this festival of world renewal, featuring a special display of “Haft-Sîn”, an Iranian

New Year tradition, along with “Saaz & Dohol” musicians, traditional Persian dancers and more.

11:30am to 3:30pm DIRECTOR’S ROUNDTABLE GARDEN

Programs taking place in this area do not require a ticket. This program is hosted and moderated by the Iranian Studies Students at UCLA

• Story Reading for Children from the “Shahnameh” – the Book of Kings

• Haft-Sîn arts and crafts

• Persian Calligraphy by Zia Erfanian

12:30pm to 1:45pm LEO S. BING THEATER

Limited Seating. FREE tickets are available for this program at the LACMA box office starting at 11 a.m. One ticket per guest.

• Welcome, Introductions & Farhang Video

• 2010 Farhang Heritage Award presented to Professor Richard Nelson Frye

“In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the study of Iranian history and civilization.”

• 2010 Farhang Film Festival Awards

Fourth Prize: SCARECROW (MATARSAK) by Nazanin Shirazi

Third Prize: STORY (MORNING BIRD) by Albroz Kamalizad

Second Prize: PERSIAN DANCE by Masoud Moein

First Prize: MY GRADE SCHOOL FRIEND (YAR E DABESTANI) by Kourosh Shemirani, Simon Ampel, Mani Mostofi,

Bitta Mostofi, Fared Shafinuary and Tehranosaurus

NOTE: All submitted films were judged by the Jury committee based on the film's artistic merits only. Views expressed by the filmmakersdo not represent those of the Farhang Foundation or its Board Members and Management.

• 2010 Lifetime Achievement award presented to Professor Amin Banani

“In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the study of Persian language and literature”

• Premiere of The Persian Rite of Spring

The Persian Rite of Spring is a multimedia show about the mythology, poetry, music, folklore and celebration of Nowruz,

a millennia-old tradition celebrated by Iranians and others around the world. The birth of light and its victory over dark is an

archetypical dynamic with a series of ceremonies from Yalda (Winter Solstice) through 13-Bedar (Outdoor 13) that usher in

the renewal of the world each spring, which The Persian Rite of Spring brings to life. Created by

The Translation Project’s Niloufar Talebi in collaboration with composer Bobak Salehi.

3:00pm to 4:30pm L.A. TIMES CENTRAL COURTYARD

Programs taking place in this area do not require a ticket.

• Significance of Nowruz by Dr. Touraj Daryaee

• LIVE Musical Performance

Featuring some of the most talented world musicians, performing a fusion of

Persian melodies with flamenco beats. Composed by Hamid Nikpay & performed

by HAMED NIKPAY ENSEMBLE. Artists accompanying Hamed Nikpay include:

Greg Ellis, Dan Lutz, Dimitris Mahlis and Farzin Farhadi.

Of all the Persian national festivals, the New Year celebrations are atonce the most important and the most colorful. This festival embodies awealth of ancient rite and customs, and it is about the only one inPersia that is not confined to the traditions of only one religious group. Itsymbolizes that continuity of ancient Persian culture, which hassurvived so many adversaries and vicissitudes.

The NOWRUZ celebration stretches over a period of thirteen days, thelast being a special occasion calling for particular ceremonies. Theperiod begins with the first day of spring, when the sun enters thezodiacal sign of the Ram. At NOWRUZ people join nature in making afresh start, full of joy and hope for the coming year. The origin ofNOWRUZ is traditionally attributed to Jamshid, the mightiest and themost glorious of the legendary kings of Persia.

NOWRUZ is reckoned by a solar calendar. This was adopted in ancienttimes by the Zoroastrians, and it is used today as the national calendarof Persia. However, one must bear in mind that the Zoroastrian year didnot always begin on the 21st of March (1st of Farvardin). There arereasons to believe that at one time it began with the commencement ofautumn. NOWRUZ, along with Mehregan, another ancient festival,continue to be the main national Persian festivals.

Today, while many of the ancient festivals have faded away in mostparts of the country, NOWRUZ remains a national Persian festival, andits advent brings joy to the hearts of the people. Although many of theold customs and ceremonies, as recorded in histories and travel books,have vanished with the passing of time, what remains makes NOWRUZthe most fascinating of the Persian festivals, rich in folkloric details andsymbolic reminiscences.

The preparation for NOWRUZ begins well in advance. Children andyoung people particularly are excited at the thought of approachingNOWRUZ with its prospects of gifts, new clothes, and the round offestive parties. Some fifteen to ten days before Spring each householdstarts preparing the “sabzeh”: grains of wheat or lentil are put into waterto germinate; then the germinated grain is spread over a dish andallowed to grow. By the time NOWRUZ arrives, the grains have sent upa fresh mass of green blades as a token of spring. This decorativesymbol of good omen is kept till the end of holidays.

During the days immediately preceding NOWRUZ, an amusingspectacle is provided by the “fire-lighters,’ men wearing high hats,harlequin dress studded with small bells, often with their faces paintedblack, or wearing a grotesque masque. These messengers of joyparade the streets with a troop of performers, which may includedancers, acrobats and folk musicians, reciting folk songs and tryingvarious tricks to amuse the spectators.

The Wednesday preceding the New Year calls for particular ceremoniesand performances of very old origin. The rites and customs varysomewhat from region to region, but a common and essentialceremony consists of piling at least three small heaps of shrubbery inthe courtyard and setting them afire. Then all the members of the familyjump over the flames in turn, reciting a little rhyme of good augur: “Mypallor to you, your ruddiness to me.”

A thorough house cleaning is essential to the preparations forNOWRUZ: all the rugs and linen are washed, furniture meticulouslycleaned, and, if possible, the house repaired and painted. In someregions it was customary to break all the earthenware vessels andthrow them out, replacing them with new ones.

Everyone is supposed to provide himself with new clothes, shoes, andhats for NOWRUZ. Children are particularly attached to this aspect ofthe festival. As the exact time of the New Year draws near everyonegets ready for the occasion. The exact time, that is, the moving of theSun to the sign of Ram, is announced in larger cities by the firing ofcanons. A few hours before this solemn moment, all the members ofthe family gather in the house. By this time they have all bathed, menhave had their hair cut, women have finished their toilet, and all haveput on their new clothes. Candles or lamps are lit and a special table isspread in the main room. On it are placed a mirror, candlesticks, andthe holy book, according to the family’s faith. Generally, also a bowl ofwater, with a green leaf floating in it, a flagon of rosewater, a piece ofbread, herbs, fruits, candies and cakes specially made for NOWRUZ,and two other items particularly prepared: colored eggs and the “Haft-sin.” The latter is a special feature of NOWRUZ and consists of sevenarticles whose names begin with the letter “S.” As a rule, they are seeb,sabzi, sir, serkeh, sumac, senjed and samanu; that is, apple, freshherbs, garlic, vinegar, sumac, and a Bohemian olive and a sweettasting food prepared with green wheat. Other articles of good omenmay be added to those already mentioned.

When finally the moment arrives the family gathering is pervaded by aspirit of joy and happiness. The members of the family embrace eachother, greetings and good wishes are expressed and gifts areexchanged. The special food being served on the New Year Eveconsists mainly of steamed rice mixed with herbs with fried fish.

Visiting relatives and friends, a characteristic feature of NOWRUZ,begins on the first day and continues to the end of the twelfth. The eldermembers of the family receive the visit first, and the junior memberslater. A general air of gaiety, contentment and rejoicing marks theatmosphere of these days.

NOWRUZ ceremonies are brought to an appropriate end by spendingthe thirteenth day in the open country. It is considered unlucky to stayat home, and on this day the countryside around the large cities iscovered by groups of people in high spirits, who have trooped out towalk in the fresh fields and enjoy a rest along the banks, enjoyinggames. Comic performers resembling the “fire lighters” are particularfavorites of the people.

The green shoots of wheat or lentil must be thrown out on thethirteenth day, and when possible, thrown into the running water. Withthe discarding of the “sabzeh” one throws out all the misfortune andbad luck. By going out into the open country one welcomes in thespring and leaves all the bad luck associated with the number thirteenon the lap of the nature where it can do no harm.

On the return from the countryside the NOWRUZ holidays comes to aclose and there is almost a year to prepare for the next.

NOWRUZ — The New Year Celebration in PersiaAn excerpt by Professor Ehsan Yarshater

When finally the moment arrives the family gathering

is pervaded by a spirit of joy and happiness. The members

of the family embrace each other, greetings and good

wishes are expressed and gifts are exchanged.

PROFESSOR RICHARD NELSON FRYE2010 Farhang Heritage Award Honoree

“In recognition of his extraordinary contributionsto the study of Iranian history and civilization.”

Appropriately referred to as “dean of the world’s Iranists” by other scholars, Richard Nelson Frye of

Harvard University has researched and taught the cultural history of Iran, Central Asia and the Near

East for over six decades and needs little introduction to those familiar with the field. His work has

covered the spectrum of Iranian studies and the history of Iran and related cultures across the

centuries. Early in his career, the editor and compiler of the monumental, encyclopedic Persian

dictionary, Dehkhoda, gave him the honorific Irandoost, or Iranophile, which has since adorned the

doorway to his office at Harvard.

Dr. Frye was Director of the Asia Institute in Shiraz for five years, as successor to Arthur Upham

Pope, editor of Survey of Persian Art. where he lived with his family. He has lectured in Persian in

recent years in universities in Tehran and Isfahan, advocating the separation of religion and state and

expounding the underlying historical basis for this separation from the foundation of the Iranian state,

ca. 550 BC, to the present. Dr. Frye received his PhD in history and philology from Harvard in 1946,

with his thesis on Narshakhi’s History of Bokhara. He joined the Harvard faculty in 1948 and later

became Agha Khan Professor of Iranian Studies.

PROFESSOR AMIN BANANI2010 Farhang Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree

“In recognition of his outstanding contributionto the study of Persian language and literature.”

Dr. Amin Banani is Emeritus Professor of History and Persian Literature at the University of

California, Los Angeles. He is a former Chairman of the Department of Near Eastern Languages

and Cultures and a former Acting Director of the Center for Near Eastern Studies. He received his

BA (1947) and PhD (1959) from Stanford University and his MA (1949) from Columbia University.

Professor Banani has served on the Board of Directors of the Middle East Studies Association of

North America, the Executive Council of the Society for Iranian Studies, and as Vice President of

the American Association of Iranian Studies. He combines history and poetry in his research and

teaching. He is an avid devotee of music, Eastern and Western.

2010 Farhang Film Festival WinnersThe Festival committee wishes to thank all of the participating artists (filmmakers, musicians &producers) for their creativity, dedication, relentless efforts and passion to express their heritagethrough their art. This year, Farhang Film Festival received 64 submissions with diverse themes fromIran, Europe and North America. The Jury rated each music video based on creativity, originality,production quality, and visualizing any aspect of the Iranian arts, culture, nature, and life-style. The top 9 selected films are available for public viewing via www.farhang.org.

NOTE: All submitted films were judged by the Jury committee based on the film's artistic merits only. Views expressed by thefilmmakers do not represent those of the Farhang Foundation or its Board Members and Management.

First PrizeYar e Dabestani - My Grade School Friend

Directors: Where is My Vote - NY, Kourosh Shemirani, Simon Ampel

Producers: Where is My Vote - NY, Kourosh Shemirani, Simon Ampel

Writer: Kourosh Shemirani

Cinematographer: Simon Ampel

Editor: Simon Ampel

Musician: Fared Shafinury & Tehranosaurus

Second PrizePersian dance

Director, Producer & Editor: M. Moein

Cinematographer: Hosein Ruzaneh

Musician: Keivan Saket

Third PrizeStory (Morning Bird)

Director: Alborz Kamalizad

Musician: Farhad

Fourth PrizeDue to an overwhelming number of outstanding submissions,Farhang Foundation decided to recognize a forth place winner.

Scarecrow Matarsak

Director, Writer & Producer: Nazanin Shirazi

Cinematographer: Miguel Alvareza

Editor: Miguel Alvarez

Musician: Fared Shafinury & Tehranosaurus

Album: Behind the Seas

the translation projectFounded in 2003, The Translation Project is a nonprofit 501(C) 3 umbrella organization that brings innovative

Iranian-inspired projects to audiences through literary and multimedia events: www.thetranslationproject.org

Performing artists in the world premiere of The Persian Rite of Spring include:

Niloufar TalebiCreator, Writer, Narrator

Writer, theater artist, and award-winning

translator, Niloufar Talebi is the founding

director of TheTranslationProject.org. She

is the editor/translator of BELONGING:

New Poetry by Iranians Around the World

(North Atlantic Books, 2008), and the

creator of ICARUS/RISE (2007), a

multimedia theatrical piece that

dramatizes the 30-year journey of the

Iranian diaspora through its poetry in

BELONGING and inspired by the Iranian

oral storytelling tradition of 'Naghali.' Her

libretto, Ātash Sorushān (Fire Angels), for

the soprano Jessica Rivera to

commemorate the 10th anniversary of

9/11, was commissioned by Carnegie

Hall, where it will world premiere in 2011,

before its West Coast premiere at Cal

Performances. Among her future projects

is a Shahnameh Theater Project,

currently under development with an

Iranian Naghal. She teaches at Hunter

College. www.niloufartalebi.com

Bobak SalehiComposer, Video Artist

Composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist

and a native of Iran, Bobak explored the

world of musical instruments at the age of

eight, under the direction of his father

maestro Hossein Salehi. His formal music

training has covered the Classical and

Folk music of the Middle East, as well as

Western classical music, Gypsy style

violin, folk music of Latin America,

electronic music and Flamenco guitar. In

1999 the Oregon Historical Society

recognized him as master artist. He has

studied Kamancheh with crossover

recording artist Kayhan Kalhor of Yoyo

Ma's Silk Road Ensemble. In 2006, he

recorded on the soundtrack of the award-

winning film Cathedral Park. Most recently,

he collaborated with the Translation

Project's Artistic Director Niloufar Talebi in

the creation of an original soundtrack for

the world premiere of ICARUS/RISE.

Paul EvansPiano, Woodwinds, Percussion

A southern California native, Paul has

been a composer/performer/improviser

for over 20 years working in many

different genres of music from around the

world. Paul is now based out of Portland,

Oregon where he has collaborated with

many groups such as Râz, Shabâvâ,

Fractal, AnnaPaul and the Bearded Lady,

Vagabond Opera, Klezmocracy, and

many more. He has also composed

several film scores including the

soundtracks to "From One Rose" and

"Archives of the Fantastic".

Niloufar Talebi would like to thank the Farhang Foundation, the team at LACMA,

Bita Milanian, and her collaborators for making this show possible. This program is

dedicated to her parents, who pulled her out of bed as a child at any and all hours

of the night and showed her a magical Nowruz celebration.

At the forefront of experimental music, Hamed Nikpay’s passion for his

innovative genre is embedded in his solid knowledge of fundamentals of

Persian music, his ability to perform numerous Persian instruments

masterfully, and his incisive interpretation and selection of Persian poetry for

his songs. These artistic proclivities have enabled him to create musical

paragons, which are gripping and much admired by enthusiasts of Persian

and world music alike. He learned to sing at a very young age, studying

under the tutorship of some of the Masters of classical Persian music. His

love of Persian music motivated him to learn and play many musical

instruments revered in the Persian culture -- tar & setar, tanbour, oud, and

daf, which he plays expertly and soulfully. He has recorded two albums in

Iran, performing as a fusion vocalist, and has produced two albums “Solo

Passage”, and “All Is Calm” in US. Hamed has performed in numerous

concerts before enthusiastic audiences throughout Iran, Asia, Europe and

U.S. His mesmerizing voice has earned him the reputation of being 'One of

Iran's Best Young Vocalists' among both American and Iranian audiences. www.hamednikpay.com

The Ensemble performing with Hamed includes:

Hamed Nikpay ensemble

Greg Ellis Percussionist

A drummer and percussionist, Ellis has worked with diverse artists from Beck to Billy Idol, and has

released four albums on Narada Records. He has also recorded, and performed with masters of India

Tabla such as Ustad Zakir Hussain, Japanese Taiko drummer Kodo, Grateful Dead drummer Micky Hart,

as well as master musicians from Iran, Africa, and Turkey.

Dan Lutz Bassist

In diverse roles as a bassist, Music Director, or producer, Dan has shared the stage and recorded with the

greats of jazz, bringing a funky and innovative style to the music he plays. Playing both electric and upright

bass, and skills to swing, groove, or improvise, Dan has performed worldwide with some of the most

acclaimed artists in the recording and film industries, as well as television, Broadway, and as a teacher in

educational institutions.

Dimitris Mahlis Multi-Instrumentalist

A multi instrumentalist and song writer, Dimitris’s masterful skills in playing oud, guitar, and many other

stringed instruments, coupled with his formal education in eastern and western musical genres, have

resulted in recording & performing experiences that are original and soulful. He has performed and toured

with music stars from all over the world and produced four albums of his own compositions for oud and

guitar. www.myspace.com/dimitrisjimmymahlis

Farzin Farhadi Soprano Saxophonist

Highly accomplished and multi talented producer for more than a decade, Farzin is one of the most

innovative contemporary song writers and performers of his generation, working in diverse genres.

A saxophonist by training, he is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, whose compositions

and orchestration transcend east-west genres of today’s world music. His melodic tunes influenced by his

partiality to jazz, and his innate affinity for Persian music enlivened with mystical poetry of Rumi, are

innovative, inspiring and rapturous. www.myspace.com/farzinfarhadi

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH 8 - 10Announcement Letter.

MARCH 15 - 17Initial mail out of Form.

MARCH 29 - 31Census Homeless Enumeration Program

APRIL 1Census Day (MAIL YOUR FORM).

APRIL 1 - 10Replacement Questionnaire mailed.

APRIL 22 - 24Reminder Postcard mailed.

MAY 1 - JULY 10In-home follow up to non-responders.

LET’S BE COUNTED FOR CENSUS 2010!

VISIT IRANIANSCOUNT.ORG TODAY ANDSIGNUP FOR EMAIL UPDATES & REMINDERS.

IT'S EASY! On April 1st, fill out the Census Form that comes

to your door. Mark Question #9 "Some Other Race" and write

"Iranian" or "Iranian-American" in the space provided.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CENSUS

THE IRANIANS COUNT 2010 CENSUS COALITION (ICCC) was formed to

ensure maximum and consistent participation by Iranians in the 2010 U.S. Census.

Learn more at:

IraniansCount.org