Events and Announcements
Last updated April 2, 2012

 

 

 

Persian Language SCHOLARSHIP
 

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Monthly Poetry Reading

  Persia House Monthly Poetry Reading will be on the First Sunday of every month, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Room 183, Cramer Hall, Portland State University, 1721 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon. Free Admission. All are welcome. For more information, call: 503-725-5214 or visit www.persia.pdx.edu


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آرش کماندار در جشن تیرگان

به گفتار دانندگان راه جو Find direction from the words of sages

 

در تمام پهنه البرز، با دهان سنگ های کوه، آرش میدهد پاسخ؛ می دهد امید؛ می نماید راه.

 

Persia House celebrates Tirgan every year in June at Portland State University.

The program includes, but is not limited to, recitation and selected reading from both the renowned epic poet of Persia Firdawsi and masterful contemporary poet Kasrayi celebrating the hope of the panoramic arrow shot by the Legendary Archer, Arash-e Kamandar, at the time when the Tree of All Seeds is swiftly renewing life everywhere, an on-screen video representation of this legend, a film about the eleventh-century masterwork, Persian music of selected instrumental and vocal melodies on big screen, a classical Persian folk dance and more. Admission is free. All are welcome.

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مولوی درجشن مهرگان

به گفتار دانندگان راه جو

Find direction from the words of sages


Mehregan and Mehr, Celebration of Celestial Light

The word 'mehr' in the Avesta, the religious text of the Zoroastrians, and in the cuneiform inscriptions of the Achaemenians stands for 'contract', 'treaty', 'kindness', and 'sun'. The seventh month of the solar year and the sixteenth day of each month were also called 'Mehr'. The sixteenth day of each month was ascribed to the angel of light and it is known as Mehr-ruz, Mithra Day or Sunday. This day was the beginning of a glorified festival that was called Mithrakana in ancient times. Mithrakana means "belonging to Mithra" and the word Mehregan is derived from that. This celebration was the second of the two major celebrations of the ancient world in which the calendar was divided into two seasons. Mehregan was celebrated at the beginning of winter and Nawruz, at the beginning of summer. For both these celebrations people would wear new clothes, drink certain wine, and dance. According to the Bundahishn, the Zoroastrian book of creation, it was on Mehregan that Mashia and Mashianih or first man and first woman emanated from Kayuomars, the first legendary being on earth.
  During the period of the Alexandrian invasion, Mithra, under the names Mithradates or Mehrdad was invoked when oaths were sworn. In fact, worshiping Mithra had such a great impact that it influenced Alexander's army and later widely penetrated the Roman Empire as a religious movement with its own ceremony, festival, and celebration. Remains of Mithraic temples can be found in different spots of Europe and central Asia.
  There are quotations from many scholarly sources in Persian and Arabic about Mehregan. For example, in Biruni's celebrated work Asar al-Baqiyyah fi Qurun al-Khaliyyah (The Traces of the Past Centuries), we read that it was in 'mehr-ruz' that the uprising of the renowned blacksmith Kaveh brought the legendary ruler Feriydun to power and overcame the evil forces of Zahhak. In memory of that victory, they used to assign a champion as a town crier to shout "O angels, come to this world and save it from the harm of the evil forces!” It is said that on this day the lord of the universe spread the earth, gave soul to bodies, and at the same time, the moon received light from the sun. According to legend, since Zahhak's rule lasted for a thousand years, and it is noticed that it may be possible to live that long, people wish each other thousand-year-old lives.
 The Mehregan celebration was so greatly respected that even after the Arab invasion it was accepted and celebrated by most of the people in the Arab world under its Arabic name Mihrjan.

Every year Persia House celebrates Mehregan, the Harvest Festival in October at Portland State University. Admission is free. All are welcome.

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Nawruz, Persian New Year Celebration in 2012

 

The 2012 Persian New Year celebration (Nawruz 1391) in Portland, Oregon, was a great success. With the best of comments for a big turnout of young people, the abundance of good will, artistry of decoration, Persia House hosted more people than ever before from inside and outside the Portland metropolitan area. Authentic traditional representations of the Haftseen Table, valuable prizes, mastery of ceremonies, plenty of fruit, pastries and refreshments with beautiful flowers on each table, lively DJ music, dancing and good fun all around for young and not-so-young alike, made for full enjoyment by every participant.

 Of course Persia House could not have done it without the generous help and cooperation of all those who love Persian culture in our community. Those who sponsor, those who participate, those who join, and those who offer their many talents and abilities to sustain a strong presence for Persian studies in our area model good leadership skills to the many people not yet aware of the extent and profundity of Persian traditional history. Thanks to all the volunteers and contributors who helped Persia House for this Gala Celebration. Thanks also to all those who sent us good wishes with their New Year greeting cards, emails, and telephone calls. We’re always happy to hear from you. The following precise notes are some of Persia House's activities throughout the year.

 


Yearly Persia House Activities 

 

Every year by the coming of Nawruz, the first day of spring, Persia House celebrates the Persian New Year with a commitment to the service of the community we serve. With the help of our longtime friends we assist many newcomers in meeting their goals of integrating into the Oregon-Southwest Washington community through a variety of cultural activities and opportunities to network. We reach out to the community at large through cultural presentations to public and private schools and colleges whose students are studying the Middle East in general and Persia in particular. We teach and advise students about Persian language and culture. We coordinate monthly poetry readings of contemporary and classical Persian poetry in Persian and English. We maintain and update the Persia House online resource site for Persian studies. Every year in spring, after the Gala Celebration of Nawruz and the Sizdah Bedar Picnic, Persia House takes pride in honoring one of the most active elders in our community. Our summer picnics in the park bring family and friends of the community together for potlucks, walking, hiking, playing backgammon, chess and children’s amusements. In summer we celebrate Tirgan to commemorate the legend of Arash the Archman. In fall we celebrate the celestial light festival of Mehregan. In winter we observe Yalda, the Winter Solstice, and Sadeh, the discovery of terrestrial light. In all of these seasonal celebrations we have recitations of the renowned literary figures of Persia, Ferdawsi, Khayyam, Rumi, Hafez and Kasrayi who offer timeless and time-tested solutions based on the wisdom of legendary Persia. It is the embedded messages of these thinkers that inspires us judiciously and with sound psychological stability and inventiveness to make it through another year and overcome the challenges faced and to be faced in the coming year. Accompanied by classical Persian music all these events are free of charge and open to the public. Our friends and members also dedicate their time to volunteer with other organizations with particular interest in music, scholarship, women's programs, children’s education, and senior fellowship. In addition to above-mentioned activities, since 1989, Persia House, in partnership with other non-profit organizations in the Northwest, has been providing a wide range of cultural, social and employment services to our community. Persia House with an awareness of needs, problems, and changes faced by Persian refugees and immigrants, is assisting youth and families to reach their full social and economic potential in their efforts to become successfully self-sufficient and a vital part of our community.

 

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A Hearty Invitation

Persia House would like to extend a hearty invitation to all talented musicians, singers, composers, poets, writers, and other performing and visual artists of all ages in our community to get in touch with Persia House for future presentations of Persian culture and art. Persia House gets information frequently about funding for such artistic activity and it would be nice to see some of our community members on the receiving end of available grants.

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 MESA
Each fall, typically the week before Thanksgiving, MESA members gather in a different U.S. city for the association’s annual meeting.  The meeting features panels and special sessions on a variety of topics related to Middle East studies.  It is complemented by an exciting 3-day film festival, a comprehensive book exhibit featuring the latest books and software in the field, and other informal events.  The meeting provides an opportunity for colleagues from a variety of disciplines to gather to share their common bond: the study of this important region of the world. For more information go to: http://fp.arizona.edu/mesassoc/


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Sizdah Bedar and Picnic in the Park

Persia House picnics starts with Sizdah Bedar which is the thirteenth day after Persian New Year celebration. After that, the last Sunday of June, July, and August at Oaks Park, the South end of the Sellwood Bridge, have been enjoyed by all comers. Our picnics in the park ends with the last summer picnic in August, Persia House Anniversary. In these picnics, members and friends of Persia House, their families and relatives usually bring their own food to share and to find new friends and acquaintances. Persia House provides beverages and cookies. Whoever wants to join is quite welcome. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further information for this or any other activity of Persia House.

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حافظ درجشن شب یلدا
Yalda, Winter Solstice Celebration: A Night with Persian Mystic Poets Hafiz and Rumi

Yalda has been a traditional feast of Persia since the time of Zarathustra. The word Yalda has the same origin as the commonly used word ‘tavallud’, i.e. birthday. In literature about Yalda there are references to Mithra, the Persian Sun God, whose birthday coincides with the ancient celebration of the Winter Solstice on December 21st. Being the longest night of the year, the night of December 21st is believed to be a cold and dark night (shab-i siyah-uw sard/shab-i chillih) in which the evil forces personified by Ahriman are at the peak of their strength. To ward off these forces Persians stay awake, kindle candles, tell stories, and recite from the mystical verses of Hafiz with hopes of seeing the dawn after Yalda and foreseeing a bright future. Therefore the end of the night represents the victory over the forces of evil by the forces of good personified by Mithra and this may be observed in nature as of the 22nd of December when the days get longer and the nights shorter.
[The Mysteries of Mithra by Franz Cumont has some references to Mithraism and above-mentioned points.]
 

Every year Persia House celebrates Yalda, Winter Solstice in the third week of  December at Portland State University. On this night the great thirteenth-century Persian mystic poets Hafiz and Rumi are honored.

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فردوسی درجشن سده
Sadih, Discovery of Light Celebration

Our annual Sadih Celebration every year is scheduled for the second week of  February in the Multicultural Center of Portland State University from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Since Iran is one of the few world literary traditions with a national epic, we dedicated this night to readings and a film about Firdawsi's eleventh-century masterpiece, The Book of Heroes (Shahnameh).

Program includes:
*a few words about Sadeh in English and Persian
*a film about Ferdowsi's eleventh-century masterpiece, The Book of Heroes
*recitation and selected reading from the wisdom of the celebrated Persian epic poet
Ferdowsi (circa 935-1020)
*Persian music

Admission is free. All are welcome.

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Dissertation Award

The Foundation for Iranian Studies awards an annual prize of $1,000 to the best Ph.D. dissertation in the field of Iranian studies. Subject to budgetary considerations and the decision of an advisory board of readers, the Foundation may also help toward the publication of outstanding dissertations.
Dissertations must be nominated by the author's advisor and be accompanied by the Dissertation Committee's letter of acceptance. Applicants should submit two copies of the dissertation to: Secretary, Foundation for Iranian Studies, 4343 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD. 20814
Deadline for Submissions is August 1. The award is announced in October of the year for which it is granted. The Foundation may also recognize up to two runner-up dissertations with honorable mention.
The Committee on the Selection of Best Dissertation of the Year on a Topic of Iranian Studies of the Foundation for Iranian Studies makes its decision following the criteria established by the Foundation Board that include the following: contribution to the field of Iranian Studies, imagination, novelty of approach, clarity in stating the problematic, theoretical foundation, methodological rigor, quality of sources, efficient and intelligent use of primary source material, quality of field work, ability to relate theory, method and fact, sensitivity to signification and nuance in linguistic analysis, good use of language in writing, attention to detail, organization of the work.

The following scholars have received The Foundation's dissertation prize over the past years:
Mohammad-Nader Nasiri Moghaddam, Sorbonne Nouvelle, 2002
Shafique Nizarali Virani, Harvard University, 2001
Christoph Werner, Otto-Friedrich University, Bamberg, 2000
Negar Mottahedeh, University of Minnesota, 1999
Shahzad Bashir, Yale University, 1998
Nader Sohrabi, University of Chicago, 1997
David J. Roxburg, University of Pennsylvania, 1996
Frankilin D. Lewis, University of Chicago, 1995
Layla S. Diba, New York University, 1994
Jamsheed K. Choksy, Harvard University, 1992
Janet Afary, University of Michigan, 1991
Mehrzad Boroujerdi, American University, 1990
Jeannine Davis-Kimball, University of California, Berkeley, 1989
Abbas Alizadeh, University of Chicago, 1988
Almuth Degener, University of Hamburg, 1987
Yeganeh Shayegan, Harvard University, 1986
Anne H. Betteridge, University of Chicago, 1985
Farah Gilanshah, University of Minnesota, 1984

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Fellowship and Language Studies
  1. Persian Language Study in Tehran
         The American Institute of Iranian Studies offers approximately ten two-month fellowships for advanced language study in Tehran available for one of three sessions of language training at the Dehkhoda Institute: Summer (session begins July 11), Fall (session begins September 30) or Winter (session begins February 4). The deadline for receiving applications is January 15. Decisions will be made by mid-February. The fellowships will be awarded to U.S. citizens who are enrolled in a doctoral program in the humanities or social sciences, have an approved research topic that requires use of Persian, and have completed at least one full academic year of Persian language study. The fellowships will cover international air travel, tuition, and board and lodging in Tehran.
       Applications must include a curriculum vitae and be made in the form of a letter, giving the following information:
 - Citizenship
 - Research plans and what degree of Persian proficiency is required
 - Academic affiliation and status (stage of progress towards the doctorate)
 - Which of the three sessions is preferred
 - Names, addresses and e-mail addresses of two referees (including the applicant's primary academic advisor)
   2. Research Fellowship in Iranian Studies
           The American Institute of Iranian Studies offers a six-month research fellowship in Tehran. The stipend is at the level of an assistant professor, with an allowance for international transportation. Applicants should be U.S. citizens, have completed the Ph.D. and be proficient in Persian.
Applications, which will be considered on a rolling basis, should be made in the form of a letter with a detailed description of research plans. Also included must be the names, addresses and e-mail addresses of two referees, and a curriculum vitae.
    3. Short-term senior fellowships in Iranian Studies
        The American Institute of Iranian Studies offers a limited number of short-term senior fellowships for two-to-four week visits to Iran. The purpose of these fellowships is to enable established scholars with research interests in the field of Iranian Studies to acquaint themselves with the range of academic activities and resources in Iran today. It is the responsibility of the applicant to receive permission to conduct the intended research from the pertinent Iranian authorities prior to making the application. Applicants must be U. S. citizens and preference will be given to tenured faculty members and museum staff with some knowledge of Persian and a record of research in the humanities or the social sciences relating to Iran.
       Applications, which will be considered on a rolling basis, should be made in the form of a letter explaining how the opportunity afforded by the fellowship would benefit the applicant's work. Also included must be the names and addresses of the relevant contacts in Iran who have provided permission to research; the names and e-mail addresses of two referees and a curriculum vitae. Please specify preferred dates of travel.
     4. Bibliographer
        The American Institute of Iranian Studies offers a one-month fellowship in Iran for a scholar with a professional interest in the history of research in Iran since 1979 and the current research establishment. The Bibliographer should be a U.S. citizen and hold a Ph.D. in one or another discipline of Iranian Studies. Each year's Bibliographer will be chosen from a different discipline.
       Applications, which will be considered on a rolling basis, should be made in the form of a letter explaining the applicant's particular interest and area of research. Also included must be the names and e-mail addresses of two referees and a curriculum vitae. Please specify preferred dates of travel.

 Applications should be e-mailed to:
  aiis@nyc.rr.com,
 or if e-mail is unavailable, mailed to:
 Dr. Erica Ehrenberg
 Executive Director
 118 Riverside Dr.
 New York, NY 10024

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Momeni Foundation
Please pass this message to anyone you may think will be eligible to apply.
Your efforts in distributing this information (specially in Iran) are appreciated.

Momeni Foundation is dedicated to providing scholarships to graduating high school students and full time college students of Iranian descent anywhere in the world. The idea of providing scholarships to students of Iranian descent originated in 1984. In an afternoon of pondering about life and setting goals, I realized that without the benefit of scholarships I could not have achieved what I was achieving in my life. At that time, I added the
establishment of an organization dedicated to advance education and providing scholarships to students, to my list of 20-year plan.
In 1993, I started a small local scholarship program through Iranian Professional Society of Oregon. In 1998, wanting to expand the program beyond the borders of the City of Portland, Momeni Family Fund, as part of Oregon Community Foundation, was established. Momeni Family Fund is involved in supporting educational and charitable organizations throughout
Oregon. In February 2001, Momeni Foundation was established as the final stage of evolution of the original plan.
It is my hope that the recipients will also, some day, establish their own scholarship programs.

With regards,
Moji (Mojtaba)  Momeni
President
CJR, Inc.
11855 SW Ridgecrest Dr.
Suite 120
Beaverton, OR 97008

www.momenifoundation.org/

Contact phone number: 503-646-0346

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The Seyyed Hossein Nasr Foundation

The Seyyed Hossein Nasr Foundation propagates spiritually through perennial philosophy & traditional teachings contained in the Quran. Studies on various facets of Islamic thought, art, civilization.
For more information contact: http://www.nasrfoundation.org/

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A Night with Moshiri

In memory of Feraydoun Moshiri, the renowned contemporary poet of Iran, who was our guest of the City of Roses not very long ago, Persia House invited all poetry lovers to remember his contribution to Persian literature. All the enthusiasts, particularly those who carefully selected and recited Moshiri's poems, were admired by the participants. The level of performance was high and inspired due to the moving lines of Poet Moshiri. From personal association and communication with the poet, there were introductory remarks, two poems and a letter never before published or read publicly, and special lines composed for this particular event by two members of Persia House. Fifteen individuals either read poems, recited from memory, or played santur and seh tar. Many more were lined up to contribute before time ran out. A special film of the poet himself reading his own work was another highlight of the evening. Everyone felt free to contribute in an atmosphere welcome to all strata of the Persian community.  Participants came from all parts of the states of Oregon and Washington. Some friends postponed or canceled their trips to honor Moshiri. Persia House has received many compliments on the coordination of artistic presentation that should be shared with the representatives of the Iranian nonprofit organizations of Oregon and southwest Washington: My Iran Television, Persian Program on KBOO Radio, Iranian American Professional Society of Oregon, Iranian Women's Association, and Andisheh Center, all of which actively participated in "A Night with Moshiri"  through their presence, poetry recitation, technical, and logistical assistance.

Persian Programs on Television

My Iran Television (Iran-e man) on Cable Channel 11, Every Saturday 9:00-10:00pm
Information: (503) 645-8446; Email: iraneman@iraneman.net

Persian Programs on Radio

Every Sunday 11:00am to 12:00 noon at KBOO Radio, Portland: 90.7 FM
Information: (503) 231-8032

The above mentioned announcements are part of our community service. We are not responsible for any change or cancellation nor are we affiliated with organizers or benefit from events unless noted otherwise.

 

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