After a brief hiatus, Farhang Foundation’s beloved celebration of the Iranian New Year triumphantly returns to Los Angeles on Sunday, March 10. |
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UCLA’s Dickson Court and Royce Hall The Nowruz Family Festival Free and open to the public. Sunday, March 10th, 12 to 5 p.m. The Nowruz Concert, 6 p.m. Royce Hall, UCLA Tickets: $25-$220; purchase tickets here. |
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Did you know that Los Angeles is home to the world’s largest celebration of Nowruz (Iranian New Year)? |
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Nowruz, or “new day,” is an ancient celebration of the vernal equinox—a universal time of rebirth and renewal. Today, Nowruz is joyously celebrated by over 98 million people worldwide, with festivities spanning across diverse regions such as Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, China, Georgia, the U.S., India, Tajikistan, and Turkey, among many others. It is the most colorful and lively Iranian event of the year. Picture horns blaring, dancers twirling, bright silk garments, and exciting storytelling. |
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Farhang Foundation’s festival welcomes spring with its 14th Annual Celebration of Nowruz in Los Angeles. The daylong program is suitable for all ages and includes traditional music, arts and crafts, dance, food, children’s activities, stilt walkers, and the signature Grand Haft Sîn display. |
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“We invite all of Southern California and beyond to join us in experiencing the vibrancy and depth of Iranian culture during the joyous occasion of Nowruz,” says Alireza Ardekani, the executive director of Farhang Foundation. |
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All of the Nowruz outdoor activities are free and open to the public from 12 to 5 p.m., and will take place in Dickson Court, which is adjacent to Royce Hall. |
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Additionally, a special ticketed event takes place at UCLA’s iconic Royce Hall at 6 p.m. This unforgettable evening concert is presented in collaboration with UCLA’s Herb Albert School of Music. UCLA and Farhang Foundation have enjoyed a long relationship; the Farhang Foundation helped establish an academic minor in Iranian music with a generous $1,275,000 million gift. The visionary gift created the only minor degree program in the world outside of Iran dedicated to Iranian music. The Nowruz Concert will feature world-renowned musicians, many of whom are flying in from around the world for this event. |
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What’s Happening and When? A variety of programming will repeat throughout the day outdoors in UCLA's Dickson Court from 12 to 5 p.m.. Here’s a sampling of what to expect: |
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Beloved Annual Traditions |
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The Grand Haft Sîn display forms an exquisite centerpiece of the Nowruz festivities; it is designed by A Seed and Stone, known for their opulent floral artistry. This detailed display is laden with items representing fertility, rebirth, prosperity, love, health and beauty, including mirrors, eggs, apples, fresh spring flowers, and sumac, among others. Haft Sîn displays are used worldwide in households that celebrate Nowruz—but this one is particularly extravagant and photo worthy! |
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Enter an Iranian-style decorated tent, for tea, shirini (sweets), and snacks to celebrate the new year in the Iranian Tea House. Food trucks will also be onsite, offering a variety of tempting cuisines. |
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(left) The Ava Choir. (right) L.A. Daf Ensemble. |
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Ecstatic Sounds The Ava Choir, formed in 2018, is the first and only Iranian choir in Los Angeles. They will perform an eclectic mix of music, including well-known Persian choir pieces, Iranian contemporary and folklore tunes, and new songs. The esteemed, Iranian, all-female L.A. Daf Ensemble, under the direction of Arezoo Koochakan, features a group of women playing the daf, a large Middle Eastern frame drum used in popular and classical music. Dressed in traditional colorful outfits, the ensemble performs folk and original songs representing all regions of Iran. And elevate your mood with beats that move your soul. DJ Arin vibes on point, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. |
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(left) Melieka Fathi's Dance Company. (right) Firuze Dance Company. |
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Iranian Dance Celebrated Esteemed Iranian-American choreographer Melieka Fathi’s Dance Company will appear, featuring dancers trained in classical Iranian dance. Firuzé Dance Company, directed by Robyn Friend, Ph.D., specializes in historical, modern, and regional dances of Iran. Children’s Programming There will be a dedicated area for children, with music, arts and crafts, photo booth, games, and tournaments. |
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New this year: Shally Zomorodi will do storytelling and book signing for her book, Myla. It is the inspiring story of a young girl who struggles to fit in, before overcoming her obstacles. Shally is an Iranian-American journalist who has been an anchor at Fox 5 Morning News in San Diego for more than a decade. Shally is also a former Mrs. California Globe. Proceeds of the book sales at Nowruz will be donated to Farhang Foundation. |
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Actress, designer, and puppeteer Negar Estakhr is best known for her work on the famed Iranian children’s series Kolah Germezi, Iran’s equivalent of Sesame Street. She along with Maryam Rasekh will delight children and adults alike with their engaging original puppetry. |
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Stilt walkers will roam the grounds, greeting guests in the guises of various Iranian mythological and Nowruz characters. |
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(left) Hila Plitmann. (right) Sahar Boroujerdi, Sohrab Pournazeri, and Tahmoures Pournazeri. |
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The Nowruz Concert, 6 p.m., Royce Hall, UCLA Do not miss this evening of musical brilliance at Farhang Foundation’s Nowruz Concert. Presented in collaboration with the historic Iranian music program at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, the concert will feature incredible musical talents, including: - Brothers Tahmoures Pournazeri and Sohrab Pournazeri, who are widely considered masters of Iranian music. They work across genres as diverse as mystical music, modern Iranian classical music, Kurdish music, symphonic orchestral music, and modern fusion. Tahmoures Pournazeri has collaborated with artists like Joan Baez, Shujaat Hussain Khan, and the great master Mohammad Reza Shajarian. Sohrab Pournazeri, is a virtuoso of traditional Persian stringed instruments, including the tanbour, kamancheh, and setar. He has composed music for such legends as Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Homayoun Shajarian, Alireza Ghorbani, and many more.
- Sahar Boroujerdi, an esteemed Iranian traditional vocalist, is considered one of the most talented singers of the millennial generation, and has legions of loyal supporters around the globe.
- Two time Grammy Award-winning soprano Hila Plitmann, praised by The New York Times as possessing a “radiant sound, even during passages of sky-high vocal writing.” Plitmann has appeared as a headliner with numerous ensembles in the U.S. and abroad, such as the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and London Symphony Orchestra, among others. Ms. Piltmann will be performing a Persian repertoire with the Iranshahr Orchestra, featuring works by maestro Richard Danielpour and composer Aftab Darvishi.
- They will be joined by the Iranshahr Orchestra, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Iranian music by creating a bridge between classical Iranian music and a classical Western orchestra. It is under the direction of Dr. Shahab Paranj. Paranj is a pioneer among his generation of Iranian composers, with a style that integrates Persian and Western techniques. He also oversees of the Iranian Music Program at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music.
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Tickets for the evening concert range from $25 to $220. |
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Please join us, and Nowruz Shoma Piruz, or Happy New Year! |
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Farhang Foundation is a nonpolitical, nonreligious, and not-for-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting the richness of Iranian art and culture for the betterment of society as a whole. With a singular mission at its core, the Foundation strives to preserve, nurture, and share the diverse heritage of Iran with the global community. Through steadfast commitment, the Foundation supports a wide array of academic, artistic, and cultural programs and initiatives, fostering collaborative partnerships with esteemed universities, renowned museums, acclaimed film festivals, and the vibrant world of performing arts. These partnerships enable the Foundation to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted aspects of Iranian culture and promote cross-cultural dialogue. For more information, visit Farhang.org. |
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Media Contact: Roxie Sarhangi |
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