A Glimpse of Iranian Culture

Saturday August 7, 11:30am-4:30 pm
Discover the rich traditions of Iranian culture through traditional dance, music, contemporary fashion and art. This special Harmony Arts Festival event at the West Vancouver Museum on Saturday August 7 will include live performances by the Chichaklar dance group and the Kereshmeh Ensemble, a demonstration of Iranian calligraphy by Saeed Zargari, traditional Iranian tea and delicacies provided by Canadian Iranian Foundation and a presentation on fashion and jewellery by a social anthropologist Massoume Price, and a contemporary fashion display by Fariba Mirzaie, Vancouver based fashion designer and textile artist.
11:30am to 4:30pm Surrender /Tavakol, A contemporary fashion display by Fariba Mirzaie
Born in Iran, Fariba is a fibre artist who turns to nature for both material and inspiration. The pieces of clothing she creates are truly wearable art. She has produced several solo and group fashion shows and her textile art has been included in several exhibitions in Vancouver.
11:30am-1:30pm Iranian calligraphy demonstration
Come to the West Vancouver Museum where Saeed Zargari will demonstrate 'nastaligh', an Iranian style calligraphy, which was invented more than six hundred years ago.
11:30am-12pm Chichaklar dance performance
12:30-2pm Kereshmeh Ensemble
Kereshmeh Ensemble is a leading Persian music ensemble that builds a bridge between the east and west. Kereshmeh Ensemble is based in Vancouver performing in Canada and the United States and in variety of folk music festivals around the world.
2:10-2:50pm Wearing Traditions: Iran
Guest Speaker: Massoume Price
Massoume Price, a social anthropologist educated in Iran and England, will deliver a presentation on Iranian clothing and jewellery through looking at museum objects from the ancient and medieval period.
3:00-3:20pm Surrender /Tavakol, A presentation of dresses by Fariba Mirzaie
Fariba Mirzaie believes that the real essence of Persian culture comes from the word Tavakol, which means to surrender to or trust process. She states "one has to understand nature, love and oneness to achieve Tavakol and a significant part of Persian art is its relationship and understanding of nature and human nature". Fiber artist Fariba Mairzaie explains the inspiration behind her work by using models wearing her unique handmade dresses.
Admission to these programs is free.
Everyone is welcome!
Photo: Kereshmeh Ensemble