Persian Heritage
Persian Heritage Vol. 20, No. 79 Fall 2015 www.persian-heritage.com Persian Heritage, Inc. FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK 6 110 Passaic Avenue LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 8 Passaic, NJ 07055 E-mail: [email protected] NEWS 9 Telephone: (973) 471-4283 Iranian Scientists Unveil Surgery Robot 9 Fax: 973 471 8534 World’s First Hybrid Heart Valve 9 EDITOR COMMENTARY SHAHROKH AHKAMI About “Persian Dance and Its Forgotten History” 11
EDITORIAL BOARD (Elaheh Hatami) Dr. Mehdi Abusaidi, Shirin Ahkami Why British Engineered Occupation of Iran? 12 Raiszadeh, Dr. Mahvash Alavi Naini, Mohammad Bagher Alavi, Dr. Talat (Hooshang Guilak) Bassari, Mohammad H. Hakami, Ardeshir Lotfalian, K. B. Navi, Dr. THE ARTS & CULTURE Kamshad Raiszadeh, Farhang A. Sadeghpour, Mohammad K. Sadigh, REVIEWS 14 M. A. Dowlatshahi. An Interview with Mohammad Mohanna 15 MANAGING EDITOR (Brian H. Appleton) HALLEH NIA
ADVERTISING Luxury Consumer Goods Thrive in Iran 17 HALLEH NIA A Translator’s Foreword (Robin Magowan) 18
* The contents of the articles and adver Interview with Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh 20 tisements in this journal, with the exception of the editorial, are the sole works of each (Shahrokh Ahkami) individual writers and contributors. This maga zine does not have any confirmed knowledge The Izadkhast Fortress 22 as to the truth and veracity of these articles. Interview with Nima Kiann (Persian Heritage) 23 all contributors agree to hold harmless and indemnify Persian Heritage (Mirass-e Iran), An Overview of the Military Activities 26 Persian Heritage Inc., its editors, staff, board of directors, and all those indi viduals directly (Kaveh Farrokh) associated with the publishing of this maga zine. The opinions expressed in these articles Interview with Dr. Cyrus Amirmokri 28 are the sole opinions of the writers and not the journal. No article or picture submitted will be (Shahrokh Ahkami) returned to the writer or contributor. All articles submitted in English must be typed. Imperial Persian Tent in Cleveland Museum 32 * The appearance of advertising in this maga zine does not constitute a guaran tee or en dorsement of the products by Persian Heritage . In addition, articles and letters published do not reflect the views of this publication. Important Notice * Letters to the Editor should be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to the above addresses and numbers. All written submissions to The journal reserves the right to edit same for space and clarity or as deemed appropriate. Persian Heritage with the ex Special * All requests for permissions and reprints must pectation of publication in the be made in writing to the managing editor. magazine must include the announcement: PUBLISHED BY PERSIAN HERITAGE, INC. writer’s name, address and tele Contact our A corporation organized for cultural and phone number. When an article literary purposes is submitted we assume the au California based Advertising Cover Price: $6.00 Subscriptions: $24.00/year (domestic); thor has complete ownership of Agent for your ads. $30.00 & 50.00/year (International) the article and the right to grant Typesetting & Layout permission for publication. (973) 471-4283 TALIEH PUBLICATIONS
Fall 2015 5 FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
After years of negotiations, during the early days of this such as Hungary, whose government has placed heavily barbed summer, the Iranian Government reached an agreement with the wire fences on the border. Despite the danger, including death, world’s major powers, the 5+1, on the nuclear issue. Today, as women, children and men continue to try to pass through. Such I am writing this editorial I have found that the votes needed to tactics make those who prevent their passage as horrific as the pass the agreement have been reached. After years of unimagi- regimes from which they flee. nable financial burdens, due to the nuclear program, sanctions, All these images and stories remind me of two individu- inflation and the impact on manufacturing, the Iranian people als who are on the cover of this issue of Persian Heritage. On may have hope for a better future. Celebrations took place in one side is Dr. Cyrus Amirmokri who has two doctorates, one and out of Iran over the agreement and the excitement of nor- from Harvard and the other from The University of Chicago malized relations with the West. The joy then dampened over two of the most prestigious universities in the United States. the possibility that Congress would not approve this historical His hard work led him to the position as Assistant Secretary for agreement. With today’s news there will be new celebrations, the United States Treasury. After leaving this position with the hopefully not premature. If this agreement finally passes in government, he continues to be a successful American-Iranian. September, the heavily funded propaganda campaigns against On the other side is Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh, a well-known Iran and Iranians in the US media, were not successful in orthopedic spinal surgeon in San Diego, CA. He is also a manipulating public opinion to vote against this deal and they childhood friend and classmate of Dr. Amirmokri. They both were not successful in convincing the public that bombing Iran attended Iranzamin Elementary School in Iran. His accomplish- was the only way to rid Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Can those ments to date include several patents. He continues to research who hold a special place in their hearts for Iran and its people, and develop new procedures for less invasive spinal surgical finally breathe a sigh of relief? procedures. At the time of the Revolution in Iran, there was hope for These two gentlemen are certainly the pride of the Iranian reforms, democracy and freedom. The objective was to bring community and of their parents; parents who at the height of Iran to modernization and implement democracy into the po- their successful professional careers in Iran, (Dr. Amirmokri’s litical system. Unfortunately, hope slowly vanished especially parents are successful physicians and Dr. Raiszadeh’s mother is among the youth. The tables turned on them and within a short a physician and father was the president of a post graduate col- period of time freedom of speech and women’s rights vanished lege in Iran) were forced to leave Iran because of the Revolution (this was odd considering that 50% of college graduates were and war. They endured the trials and tribulations as immigrants women). They found themselves being further oppressed and to a new country. They gave up so much and now can revel in thrown into prisons because of their lack of Islamic covering the results of their sacrifices. These young men, on the cover, or wearing makeup. are examples of the productivity that can be reached by and as The religious minority and political opponents were under an immigrant. They are also examples of the valuable minds additional pressure and eventually forced to flee the country, their birth country has lost, because of politics. some even lost their lives. Many scholars, young and old, Unfortunately over the 35 years, the 6 million Iranians, who had different political agendas or values then those in the newly theocratic government were executed. Thousands and thousands of young people, the assets of the future of Iran, lost their lives. As time passed Iran was forced into war with Saddam Hossein. Three years into the war Saddam offered Iran 60 bil- lion dollars in war damages, but the war lasted an additional five years. Over one million Iranians lost their lives, millions were injured and the country was left with billions in damages. Today on the news we are over whelmed by the images of refugees, from Syria, Afghanistan and Libya struggling to get to the shores of the Mediterranean. Some losing their lives during the dangerous journey, a journey made to escape the brutal governmental regimes of their homelands. Presently 264,500 refugees have entered into the European continent. Yet others are being denied access into countries
6 No. 79 F R O M T H E E D I T O R ’ S D E S K who were forced to leave Iran and were scattered all around the ing in Iran. I also hope that today’s news will bring an end world and other immigrants, have not all met the same destiny to the thoughts of a new world order, one where Iran is not as the Raiszadehs and the Amirmokris. Some have ended up in geographically divided. refugee camps under horrible conditions with no relief in sight. This leadership has to make reforms, sympathize with its Should this agreement not pass it is horrifying to imagine people, regain the trust of the world powers and gain the respect what kind of conditions these people have endured and will in the world community. This is the only way all of these is- endure if there is a civil war in Iran or, if Iran was bombed as sues can be addressed, without needless destruction. Iranian a result of the negative rhetoric that constantly calls for the Diaspora wealthy or not must use their resources and start destruction of Iran. If these scenarios came to fruition one can campaigns that will help Iran gain respect from the international only imagine the outcome of such violence and destruction and community, campaigns that educate the minds of the average what would become of the people and the land. individual on Iran and Iranians. As Iranians we must not forget Thousands of Syrians were successful in landing on the our responsibility to the country whose soil we were born. European continent land via the water ways. Iranians have no We must NOW take the necessary measures to make sure water route to escape. If they were to use the Persian Gulf as an that the international community and the people of the United escape route the Arab nations would not give them a safe-haven States understand that Iran and Iranians DO NOT want war. and would turn them over to the enemy. And, if they fled into They DO NOT want to go to war with their neighbors. They Turkey, would they be treated fairly or continue to suffer and are a peaceful people. It is important for people to know Iran’s be disrespected by the Turks? history. Over the last two hundred years, Iran has never started With all the negative possibilities that exist for the innocent a war but has on occasion defended herself against aggressors people of Iran, for all their frustrations and difficulties they and has united to preserve its independence and integrity. Iran’s have had to endure, IT IS NOW time, after 40 years for the history shows that Iranians are empathic towards the needs of Iranian leadership to change its policy and take a new path in their fellow country men and women and other suppressed governing the country. The mistrust between Iran’s leadership people in the world. I hope with all my heart that in Septem- and the rest of the world must end. ber, when Congress votes on this agreement that it will pass In Iran internal pressures, lack of human rights, increasing with a larger number of votes than needed. I hope the fire of executions and lack of travel allowances to the outside world war rhetoric has diminished. I hope that Iranians both inside (keeping Iranian families from visiting each other) are signs and outside will have peace of mind. I hope that the Iranian that this leadership is still not willing to make a truce with the people’s struggles begin to subside. I hope that they will have rest of the world. the ability to focus their energy on the betterment of their lives This war mongering attitude and rhetoric coming from and their country. Iran’s Arab neighbors must cease. The nerve of one Iranian Maybe all this war propaganda and the threats being made official to state that Iran should export their unemployed col- is a great lesson for all Iranians. Maybe it has taught us to lege graduates. Prior to this comment we heard the term “brain be more united as a people; one with a united voice against drain.” Now the government itself, in an effort to get rid of a threats. The more united we are the louder our voice can be group of talented and highly educated young people, individu- heard when we tell the world that Iranians are a people of als who would be an asset in rebuilding Iran is treating them peace and harmony. like products to be exported. This shameful statement by an I wish all of you my fellow readers a peaceful and harmoni- incompetent official, the high rate of unemployment due to an ous future full of pride for Iran and Iranians where ever you are. empty treasury, closer of factories and limitations of social and intellectual activities must end some day. But I do not want it to end by the dropping of a bomb by a neighboring country or by interference by the large world powers to geographically divide Iran. I hope with the news of today that there will be no bomb-
Fall 2015 7 L E T T E R S T O E D I T O R APPRECIATION exceptional, as are the stories dedicated to her goal for so It is simple for those liv- Dear Editor: that accompanied them. many years. ing outside of Iran’s borders Thank you for your kind It is amazing to see such Persian Heritage and to lightly agree to bombing and informative article regard- a display of talent as in the you continue to inspire your Iran, they are not a part. Isn’t it ing my background. You have Nature Bridge designed by readers. ironic that every day we watch been more than complemen- a thirty-one year old,Leila Thank you again TV and see people be gunned tary to me and I sincerely ap- Araghian. I only hope that our KI,Geneva, Switzerland down in western society. We, preciate it. Your publication youth read this magazine and the people, the media and the is much to be admired and become inspired by the great- ISFAHAN politicians are appalled by the recognized for the important ness of others. The article on Isfahan in ease in which people take a service that it provides to edu- Additionally, I was happy the summer edition, brought life. YET!!!! the same groups cate many Iranians regarding to be introduced to Mr. Khos- back such wonderful memo- can easily bomb a people, our heritage and the critical row Semnani. He is a talent ries of my beautiful Isfahan without any proof or facts. issues facing the nation. and extraordinary. If it were and Iran. I will hold onto this ar- Thank you again. not for this magazine I fear I If only all of the world ticle of Isfahan and relish in Khosrow B. Semnani would have never known he were able to see the beauty of its beauty. graced my heritage. Iran and its people they would AA, NJ BA SEPAS VA EM, NJ understand the importance of ERADAT, the signing of this treaty. I fear I am truly humbled and INSPIRATIONAL if it is not signed many Ameri- honored to be cited in Persian The letter to you from cans will not have the golden Heritage – truly an excellent Neda Farid needs to be ad- opportunity to mingle in Iran’s gift. dressed. As a marathoner my- history and its modernization. Kaveh Farrokh self it is nice to see someone This ignorance can lead up to realizes the dedication you the outside destruction of an- ALWAYS PROUD must have to complete 26.2 tiquities and more importantly Dear Editor: miles. What a tribute to you of a people who are proud of I must say that the cover to have sparked an interest in a who they are and desire to ac- VANK CATHEDRAL of the summer issue is simply young lady and that she stayed tively be part of society. IN ISFAHAN
8 No. 79 N E W S IRANIAN SCIENTISTS UNVEIL time that azithromycin can be used DOMESTICALLY MADE SURGERY ROBOT in patients with gastroparesis- de- bilitating stomach affecting many patients with diabetes. The main focus of her research has been the multidimensional pathophysiology of IBS with complex interactions between the sensitizing effects of inflammation, central nervous system dis inhibition, gut immu- nity, and genetic influences. Her publications have examinedpain- processing mechanism and brain-gut interactions in patients wit IBS. Dr. Moshiree further expanded her research efforts when she Iranian scientists have unveiled the first domestically made was awarded a K12 while at U.F. titled: ”Randomized, double high precision remote surgery robot. Avicenna, specifically de- blind crossoverstudy continues of the efficacy of Mesalamine in signed to carry out laparoscopic operations, was unveiled during diarrhea-predominant IBS (d-IBS) Her research to focus on the Iran’s Second International Innovation and Technology Exhibi- discovery of biomarkers for the diagnosis of IBS and on new tion (INOTEX 2015). treatments for gastroparesis and small bowel overgrowth.Dr. “This robot is an advanced remote surgery system that oper- Moshiree has presented her research at several national meetings, ates with a monitor and two robotic arms,” said Farzam Farah- has received he Presidential Poster Award from the American mand, the director of the Avicenna project. Motility Society.She has been invited to several meetings and He added that the Iranian robot can also be used “for ab- institutions to present her research and continues to be at the dominal and prostate surgery” with a surgeon controlling the forefront of her field. Dr. Moshiree also has a Master of Sci- arms and viewing the operation via the monitor. ence in clinical investigation, obtained to further enhance her “Operations carried out with this device minimize the dam- research efforts. aging effects on the healthy tissues, reduce bleeding during the In addition to her clinical and research interest, Dr. Moshiree operation, and accelerate the recovery process,” he noted. has a strong commitment to education. She mentored 25 fellows, The machine has passed the animal testing stage and now residents and students with five fellows who have pursued aca- requires proper licenses to start tests on human subjects, he added. demic careers in the field of motility disorders as a result of her The robot, which is named after Iranian scientist Avicenna, direct teaching. was designed and developed in a joint project by the Sharif Uni- versity of Technology and Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Iranian Scientists Create WORLD’S FIRST HYBRID HEART VALVE The Highest Acaemic Achievement for a Wonderful Iranian at a Very Early Age Mehr News Agency: The Chester Cassel Endowed Chair in Gastroenterology was Two Iranian scientists presented to Baharak Moshiree on June 9, 2015, at the University have successfully created the of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami, Florida. first hybrid tissue-engineered Baharak Moshiree, M.D, M.S. is an Associate Professor of heart valve with the use of medicine and Director of Motility in the Division of Gastroen- a metal alloy. Hamed Alavi, terology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. PhD, and Arash Kheradvar, She received her undergraduate and medical degree through an MD, PhD, from the University exclusive combined program with only 12 candidates chosen of California in Irvine, devel- by using the new technology, from a large undergraduate pool called the Junior Honors Program oped the new valve, which can patient’s life quality will be from the University of Florida (UF) in 2000, and later completed become a replacement for cur- improved as the valve even- training in internal medicine at the Medical College of Virginia. rent valves thanks to its dura- tually incorporates itself into She then successfully completed sub-specialty training in gas- bility, the Mehr News Agency the patient’s heart structure. troenterology at University of Florida with a focus in functional reported.The findings of their The valve is built on a “non- and motility disorder during her fellowship training while on a research were published in an degradable scaffold that stays National Institute of Health T 32 grant. article in the latest edition of within the valve to provide Dr. Moshiree has defined herself as an expert in these dis- the Annals of Thoracic Sur- the support it needs without eases by using innovative techniques such as high-resolution gery. In the current technol- interfering with its normal memory, new technologies to treat GERD such as Stretta and ogy used in valve replacement, function,” said Kheradvar. Linx, gastric stimulators to treat gastroparesis and biofeedback the patient’s cells are used to “The valve we created uses an therapy to treat constipation.Furthermore, her motility program create an artificial valve set on ultra-flexible scaffold made of is one of only 10 motility program in the United States with a scaffold that will eventually an alloy of nickel and titanium grant support for validation of a new toll to diagnose gastropa- degrade, resulting in the fail- (nitinol) that is enclosed within resis called wireless motility capsule.Dr. Moshiree has received ure of the valve. the patient’s own cultured tis- funding from NIH for a pilot grant demonstrating for the first The scientists believe sue,” he added.
Fall 2015 9 N E W S MEET ANAHITA SEDAGHTFAR in society from the University of California, Davis. She re- ceived her J.D., magna cum laude, from Southwestern Uni- versity School of Law. Prior to starting her own law firm, Ms. Sedaghatfar was an asso- ciate in the Los Angeles office of Musick, Peeler & Garrett, LLP. Subsequently, Ms. Sed- aghatfar established the Law Anahita Sedaghatfar is Offices of Anahita Sedaghatfar an attorney and television le- and formed a partnership with IRANIAN CHESS GRANDMASTER CRESTED gal analyst and commentator famed O.J. Simpson prosecu- AT DC INTERNATIONAL 2015 who regularly appears on FOX tor Christopher Darden. During Iranian chess grandmaster Ehsan Ghaem Maghami stood News’s “The O’Reilly Factor” this time, Ms. Sedaghatfar and on the top of the podium at DC International 2015. with Bill O’Reilly, “Studio B” Mr. Darden favorably litigated In the last round of the blitz section of the 9 round Swiss with Shepard Smith, “Amer- multiple sexual harassment and competitions held in Washington DC, the 32-year-old Iranian ica’s Newsroom,” “Happen- race, religion and age discrimi- national came first with the overall score of 7 out of 9. ing Now,” “Your World With nation cases. Ms. Sedaghatfar Ghaem Maghami shared the first place with British GM Neil Cavuto,” and “Cavuto” has performed various pro bono Luke McShane, Indian GM Magesh Panchanathan and Bulgar- on FOX Business Network. services for indigent clients and ian IM Andrey Gorovets. One hundred and twenty three chess In 2015, Anahita joined the for members of the California players from 39 countries participated at this event, which took prestigious Cochran Firm - Lawyers for the Arts. In ad- place from June 25 to 30. The Iranian grandmaster secured 16 California, founded by the dition to maintaining her law units to his international rating. Ghaem Maghami is the first legendary Johnnie L. Cochran, practice, Ms. Sedaghatfar is an international grandmaster in Iranian chess history, and the best to serve as Of Counsel to the adjunct professor at Southwest- Iranian chess player with regards to his ranking and rating since firm. Ms. Sedaghatfar received ern University School of Law the age of 14. her B.A. with highest honors and is a volunteer for Jewish in Political Science and Soci- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Tehran Hosts Luxury ology with an emphasis on law Angeles. “Thousand and One Nights” Train CONGRATS TO A BALTIMORE RESTAURANT OWNER Michael Tabrizi, owner of the restaurant Tabrizi, in Balti- more, participated in the annual restaurant week. But his par- ticipation was a bit different. Instead of opening it to the general public Michael closed the restaurant to the public and instead provided 1,000 meals to the city’s homeless from July 20 to 25. His decision to do this was sparked by the signs held by the homeless he would see on his way home from work. One sign in particular stated, “ I am hungry, will work for food.” When he saw that he gave the person his business card and invited him to come to eat at the restaurant. Then he thought, why not feed The luxury tourist train “Hezar-o YekShab” (Thousand and them all. He believes that giving hope and respect to someone One Nights) carrying about 80 tourists from some American and who is destitute and homeless is priceless. European countries arrived in Zanjan province in northwestern Iran from Turkish-Iranian border. The “Hezar-o YekShab” train started its journey from Istanbul, Turkey and before departure to Tehran, it traveled to Zanjan, Yazd, Shiraz and Isfahan cities in Iran. Many tourists from Germany, US, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria were on the luxury train. This is the second time that SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: “Hezar-o YekShab” train has traveled to Iran. Prior to this train, an Hungarian train called as Golden Eagle carrying many tourists Contact our from European countries visited Iran. The passengers of the train California based Advertising Agent left Tehran to their own countries after visiting many historical for your ads. and cultural places of the city. The Hezar-o YekShab, along with Golden Eagle, is a luxury train and part of a tour organized in 973 471 4283 cooperation with Turkish, Hungarian and Iranian travel agencies.
10 No. 79 C O M M E N T A R Y 50th Anniversary of the Rediscovery of the Caspian Horse ISSUES ABOUT THE ARTICLE 4th International Conference “Persian Dance and its Forgotten History” of the Caspian Horse
Dear Editorial Board, I received your electronic quarterly of Spring 2015 through one of your readers. First of all I do really appreciate your efforts in presenting the Iranian culture and arts through your invaluable E-magazine. Such efforts in reflecting the socio-cultural highlights of our contemporary history, especially for post-revolution generation who has almost no direct and free access to the historical facts inside Iran is of high importance. As a researcher who does her PhD in Dance Studies, I feel obliged to send you my comments and feedbacks regarding one of your articles on “Persian Dance and its The Caspian is an ancient breed of Forgotten History” written by Nima Kiann. As we all know, dance has been always small horse, believed extinct for 1,000 regarded as a taboo in Iran and the dancers were forced to leave the country or to years until rediscovered in 1965 by Lou- change their profession after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Such a view to dance ise Firouz on the southern shores of the led to destruction or closure of many public archives about dance, including photos, Caspian sea, Northern Iran. Small num- articles, documents, interviews, and videos. However, such a miserable condition bers may still exist in a semi feral state in shall not result in a biased, unprofessional, and partly baseless documentation of the rice paddies, cotton fields, forests and the dance history. foothills of the Alborz Mountains of the I am specifically referring to Mrs. Haydeh Changizian and her representation Caspian plain. in the article: The Equestrian Federation of Iran 1. “Haydeh Changizian left the company after many disputes and disagree- honored this important anniversary by ments” (P. 20). No one can claim that there is no dispute in the conceptualization, organizing the 4th International Confer- organization and realization of a piece of art, no matter if it is a piece of music, theater, ence of the Caspian Horse in Rasht, Iran opera or dance. It is a general phenomenon and overall around the world, disputes birthplace of the mythic Caspian Horse especially among artists are normal and even accepted, as arts cannot grow without on September 7-9, 2015 together with the such disputes! Keeping that in mind, mentioned that and trying to highlight it to International Caspian Society. convey a negative picture of a certain person is not appreciated in an historical article. Geneticists, rare breed specialists, 2. It is also mentioned in the article “...her project was never realized because breeders and delegates from Caspian reg- of her lack of administrative and operational experience... ”. (P. 20) The question is istries all over the world came together in how the author of this article and based on which reference could make sure about Gilan province to discuss the most impor- the validity of such expression? Was he active in Iranian dance scene in that period tant issues facing the Caspian horse today. of time? Did he witness such an event in person or it is just his interpretation of that A breed show was also be held on the 9th certain period in the absence of any written reference? of September with entries from all over 3. He is also writing elsewhere “As a nostalgic retrospect to her short-lived Iran. There was a Caspian show jump- career, she staged a self-produced performance” (P. 20). I do assume that the author ing class as well as archery and carousel has done at least a basic research about the dancer. If it is so, he could have seen her exhibitions. official website in which –according to historical documents, newspaper articles, TV interviews, photos, etc- it can be concluded that she was active for almost 30 years in Iran, Germany and the US. How 30 years of active participation in dance can Advertise be regarded as a short- lived career? (http://www.haydehchangizian.com/#!/c1j2j) Accordingly, and based on the above mentioned the reader might think that the article is not a neutral, valid and fact-based one, but a collection of biased, baseless Your Business and one sided opinions against one of the most influential dancers of the recent history. Such articles result from one side in defamation of the respected artist and or Services in from the other side cannot help the next generation of researchers to have access to historical facts, as they are misleading and leave no space for an unbiased interpre- tation of dance history. What makes such suspicion more solid is the fact that the same article has been published years before in Mr. Kiann’s website with an other language and none of the above-mentioned allegations can be found there: (http:// Persian Heritage www.iranchamber.com/cinema/articles/persian_dance_history03.php) Therefore, I personally find the article as a purposeful effort to defame Mrs. Changizian, which in my eyes shall not happen in an historical sphere such Persian Heritage. (973) I do appreciate if you could kindly discuss it in your team and inform me promptly about the above-mentioned points. 471-4283 Yours sincerely, Elaheh Hatami PhD in Dance Studies, Berlin, Germany persian-heritage.com
Fall 2015 11 C O M M E N T A R Y August 25, 1941, The Day of Infamy WHY BRITISH ENGINEERED OCCUPATION OF IRAN? part one Dr. Hooshang Guilak Many articles, books, and researches have been conducted RUSSIAN: on the subject. The conclusions derived were as different as the The neighbor in the north retained its tremendous power over number of the writers and investigators. Each tried to justify his the kings and the country in the aftermath of the wars 1812 and belief. Some blaming the Allies and calling the attack unjustified; 1824. They had the kings in their servitude, and interfered in every some placing blames on the Iranian government and specifically the function of the country, which continued after the constitutional King, Reza Shah, for his dictatorial behavior and his affinity toward revolution and establishment of a constitutional government. Toward Axis,” the Nazi Germany.” Some justify the attack for preservation the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, Iranian govern- of Khuzestan oil fields and others felt the attack was necessary to ment decided to get help from United States to rectify the disastrous supply Russians with the Americans arms in fighting the Germans financial problem of the country. A contract was signed between in the Eastern Front. the government and William Morgan Shuster. He was appointed None of the above would, intelligently explain or could be as Treasurer General of Iran with full power. Majles approved the considered the sole reason for the attack and occupation of Iran, contract. Russian objected vehemently to this appointment. Rus- however, it should be accepted that they do present elements of sian Legation in Washington protested to the Department of States, truth. To have a clear view of what took place; one should analyze objecting to Shuster’s appointment and stating, “It will be unwise a number of events and their contributions to the final decision for and unkind to send an American advisor to Iran.3 ”Shuster barely the British and Russians to attack Iran. Elaboration on some he fol- started his works that Russians under instigation of the British began lowings could be helpful in reaching a more acceptable rationality a severe campaign against him, spreading rumors that Shuster and and reaching a plausible decision: his group were Baha’is, and with the help of Moslem clergy they – Condition of Iran during the late nineteenth and early twentieth cen- asked for his dismissal.4 Russians demanded Shuster’s expulsion turies, which encompasses the Ghajar and early Pahlavi dynasties; and threatened to attack, if Iran did not comply. This is one of the – The continuous demands of the Russians and their methods in characteristics of the Soviets, irrespective what kind of government reaching their objectives; runs the country. The only language they understand is the language – Behavior of the British and their dealings with Iranians; of force and what they accomplish is only through using force. The – The Iranians elites, and role of the powerful clergy; incident ended with a sort of coup d’état. Mr. Vossugh-ul-Dowleh, – Reza Khan, later Reza Shah; a study of his person, his achieve- the foreign minister, assured the Soviets that Majles would be asked ments, and how did he dealt with the two Iranian’s greatest foes? to terminate Mr. Shuster’s contract. When, the article was presented – The Americans, their contributions or rather lack of contributions to Majles, I t did not work as the government expected. In a silence toward the Iranians and their government; governing Majles, a deputy rose and declared; ”It may be the will of – The years before WWII, Iranian attempts to get help from the Allah that our liberty and our sovereignty shall be taken away from United States; and us by force, but let us not give them away with our own hands.”5 – What was behind the attack on Iran, and was it a sensible decision? Shuster wrote that 76 deputies, of all walks of life, one by one stood Let us analyze each subject briefly: when their names were called and voted against the bill.6 That con- DURING THE GHAJAR DYNASTY stituted a vote of no confidence and the cabinet was a non-existing Iran was in one of its worst condition ever. The kings were entity. However, the government with the help of the army closed incompetent and irresponsible. They have sold the country to the Majles. It ended with the resignation of Shuster. British and the Russians: Nasser-ul-Din Shah’s trip to Europe and THE BRITISH: his borrowing from foreigners in fulfilling his desires. His agree- Let me start this portion with the opinion expressed by Thomas ments with Reuter and literary giving him almost all the country’s Jefferson, the third president of the United States about the British: commerce. Accepting the Russian offer for creation of the Cossack “Of the nation (English) who never admitted a chapter of morality Brigade and thus placing the nation under the Russian armed force…. into her political code! And is avowing that whatever power can Mozafar-ul-Din Shah followed his father’s footsteps and again make hers is hers of right.”7 Thomas Jefferson borrowed money for his multiple trips to Europe, accomplishing British, the self-proclaimed neighbor in the south, approached nothing for the people of Iran. Refusing, for a longtime, to sign the the colonized countries in a different way. They worked on a simple constitution of the country, until was forced to, and did it reluctant- method: buy the leaders, and the clergy; and with their help rule the ly…Mohammad Ali Shah refusal of accepting the constitution and nation. This was a simple method that worked miracle for them. By bombarding the parliament, jailing and executing the nationalists, all virtue of their high intelligence and experience they realized that to under the auspices of the Russian Cossack brigade… and the worse: rule the third world countries, the best way is through the help of the Ahmad Shah, a naïve and self-serving individual who had deprived religious leaders. The first British envoy to Iran, Anthony Jenkinson, himself of all human integrity and decency so he could serve his own came to the court of Shah Tahmasb in 1561 with gift from Queen wellbeing. To appoint Vossugh-ul-Dowleh, he shamelessly asked the Elizabeth the First, for the King. He bypassed the Shi’a clergy; British for a large bribe of, monthly stipend of 15,000 Tumans and creating strong enemies. He was on the threshold to lose his head, if a promise of the British assurance to protect the Ghajar dynasty.2 there were not for the help of Yerevan’s Governor, Abdullah Khan.
12 No. 79 C O M M E N T A R Y Thirty-seven years later, two brothers, Robert and Anthony Shirley, came to the court of Shah Abbas. This time the British came well prepared with gift for the clergy and through them found their way to the Shah. An alliance developed between the Shi’a clergy and the British, which continues to the present.8 As an example during the hurdle of Vossugh-ul-Dowleh’s nomination, the British paid 25,000£ to the Ulema, in order to mobilize the mass of the people in his favor.9 During the evolution of the infamous 1919 Triumvirates Treaty, Lord Curzon, the British Foreign Secretary was asked how he would handle Iranians opposing the treaty. He responded, “… Simple…the case will be settled with cash…This policy will help in two ways, buying allies for England and with their help make the country into an informal part of British Empire.”10 Another characteristic of the British Government is that they support, almost unconditionally, their servants and on the same to- ken, they never forget nor forgive those that in their mind betrayed them. After signing the treaty the British government paid the sum of 131,000 £ to Vossugh-ul-Dowleh, equivalent to 400,000 Tumans. Of this amount Vossugh received 200,000, Nosrat-ul-Dowleh Firuz Farmanfarma, foreign secretary and Sarem-ul-Dowleh, minister of finance, each received 100,000 Tumans.11 Also the British Minister in Tehran, Sir Percy Cox, wrote each one of them a letter stating:” Dear Highness: It (the British government) is prepared to extend to your Highness its good office and support in case of need, and further to offer your Highness asylum in the British Empire should necessity arise.”12 REZA KHAN – REZA SHAH: Born on March 11, 1878 in Elasht, SavadKuh of Mazanda- ran province. His grandfather and father were in the military. The grandfather was killed in the siege of Herat, Afghanistan in 1856. After the death of his father the family moved to Tehran. Reza was 7-8 years of age. As a teenager, he joined the Cossack Brigade. He progressed rapidly in the rank and showed his ability to move around, making decision, being ruthless toward achieving his goals, and also a patriot on his own right. He taught himself the essentials of reading and writing. Over time he transformed to a seasoned military officer and reached the level of Mir Panj (general). With passing time, Reza Khan distanced himself from the Russians. His military achievement caught the eyes of two British Generals in Iran; General Edmund Ironside and General Henry Smyth. This created a new chapter in his life, paving the road to his future. The final victory was through the grand scheme of a coup d’état. Reza Khan with the blessing of the British, on February 2, 1921, moved from Ghazvin and captured Tehran without any dif- ficulties. Martial law was established. The King appointed Sayed Zia-ul-Din Tabatabai, a well-known servant of the British, as the Prime Minister. Reza Khan was given the title of commander of Iranian Arm-forces. Shortly thereafter he was promoted to the level of Sardar-e Sepah and the secretary of war. to be continued
1. Paul Julius Reuter, a Jewish German, moved to England. He changed to Christian- ity; Creator of Reuter News Agency. He made agreement with Nasser-ul-Din Shah and received one the most controlling treaty over the entire belonging of the country by bribing the government officials. 2. BagherAmeli; NakhostVaziran-e Iran 1906-1979, p. 257 3. W. M. Shuster, Strangling Persia (1912), p5. 4. H. Guilak; Fire Beneath the Ashes; US-Iran Relation; 2011, p14. 5. Ibid. p.16 6. W. M. Shuster, Strangling Persia; 1912, p.181 7. Thomas Jefferson on Democracy, Letter to Langdon March 5, 1810 8. H. Guilak; Fire Beneath the Ashes; US-Iran relation, 2011, p. xiii. 9. Cyrus Ghani; Iran and the Rise of Reza Shah, (1998),p.27 10. H. Sahabi ; British Policy I Persia (1918-1925), 1990, p.11 11. H. Guilak; Fire Beneath the Ashes; US-Iran Relation; p.78 12. Enclosure 7, No. 734. Letter of Cox to Lord Curzon- No. 143{141044/150/34} Aug. 22, 1919/Document policy 1919-1939 Vol. IV First Series, 1140-1142.
Fall 2015 13 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E book can therefore be considered the “older” edition of Kadou REVIEWS Ghel Ghe/eh Zan. The Illustrated Story of Persian Polymath Another important difference is that in the modern version IBN SINA of Kadou Ghe/ Gheleh Zan, the second half is no longer the tale and How He Shaped the Course of Medicine of the mother going to visit her daughter, the princess, and her Marla Popova husband, the prince, at the palace. It is now simply a story of a How a voraciously curious little mother going to visit her daughter and son-in-law at their house. boy became one of the world’s great- est healers. NOEROOZ & OTHER IRANIAN CELEBRATIONS Humanity’s millennia-old quest to A Mythological and Historical Study understand the human body is strewn Mahvash Amir-Mokri (2015) with medical history milestones, but This book is a wonderful source of information for those few individual figures merit as much seeking to know, understand, appreciate and/or learn about credit as Persian prodigyturned- poly- Iranian (Persian) celebrations. math Ibn Sina (c. 980 CE-1037 AD), With the beautiful illustrations of Nasser Ovissi, the author commonly known in the West as Avi- and artist take you on a history lesson of just who and what cenna - one of the most influential Iranians are and how they evolved. More importantly you will thinkers in our civilization’s unfolding story. learn how each of the celebrations began and survived the He authored 450 known works spanning physics, phi- passage of time. losophy, astronomy, mathematics, logic, poetry, and medicine, It is interesting to see how many of the celebrations have including the seminal encyclopedia The Canon of Medicine, influenced the later non Persian holidays. She addresses the which forever changed our understanding of the human body distinction of the Persian versus the Iranian holiday and how and its inner workings. they transitioned over. This masterwork of science and philosophy - or metaphys- Unlike many orientation chapters, this author is extremely ics, as it was then called - remained in use as a centerpiece of useful and exceptional as it educates the reader on the tools they medieval medical education until six hundred years after Ibn will need for understanding the inner chapters. Equally impor- Sina’s death. tant is her introduction, which gives you a brief, yet valuable, As a lover of children’s books that celebrate the life-stories historical education on ancient and modern Persian festivities. of influential and inspiring luminaries - including those of Jane Goodall, Henri Matisse, Pablo Neruda, Henri Rousseau, Julia JEWELS OF ALLAH: THE UNTOLD STORY OF Child, Albert Einstein, and Maria Merian - I was delighted WOMEN IN IRAN to come upon The Amazing Discoveries of Ibn Sina (public Nina Ansary library) by Lebanese writer Fatima Sharafeddine and Iran-based The popular narrative about wom- Iraqi illustrator Intelaq Mohammed Ali, a fine addition to these en’s lives in Iran over the last forty favorite children’s books celebrating science. years goes something like this: “Dur- ing the Pahlavi Monarchy, women THE ROLY-POLY PUMPKIN, were on an upward trajectory. In a na- The Untold Cinderella Story tion on the cusp of modernity, women Sarak Ardestani actively participated. They were given Ah what beauty lies in the Per- the right to vote and were free to be in sian style fairytale. The Roly-Poly public without veils; they wore mini- Pumpkin,is perfection. Its simplistic skirts on university campuses. story and illustrations spark a thirst Then came the Islamic Revolu- to read on. The foreard of the book tion in 1979, with Ayatollah Khomeini explains the storyline so completely at the helm. The burgeoning freedoms that it is included in this review. for women were extinguished. The veil was required and insti- The Roly-Poly Pumpkin is based tutions were segregated by gender. The Islamic Republic had on the classic Persian fairy tale Kadou Ghel Gheleh Zan. thus achieved its goal of resurrecting the image of the traditional Readers may notice similarities between this tale and the Muslim woman.” traditional tales of both Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. The problem with popular narratives is that, despite their Kadou Ghel Gheleh Zan was passed down orally in the Farsi convenient half-truths, the real story is more complicated, language through the generations for at least 200 years, although unexpected, and less tidy. its exact origins are not well-documented. This book retells the Inspired by author Nina Ansary’s scholarly journey, Jewels original Farsi story in English, while keeping true to the original of Allah is a provocative roller coaster ride that shatters the story in most major aspects. stereotypical assumptions and the often misunderstood story The modern version of this story commonly told in Iran of women in Iran today only covers the second half of this book (pages 18-27). The Highlighting many courageous female leaders and ad- first half of this book, which is monarchy-centric, is no longer vocates throughout Iran’s history, the book illuminates the being widely published (pages 2-17). unanticipated consequences of the Islamic Revolution and the This omission is what makes The Roly-Poly Pumpkin the unexpected twists and turns leading to a full-blown feminist “Untold Cinderella Story.” The more complete fairy tale in this movement within a post-revolutionary patriarchal society.
14 No. 79 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E
AN INTERVIEW WITH Mohammad Mohanna Brian H. Appleton
Mohammad Mohanna; self-made man and philanthropist who believes in returning to core American values and in giving back to society. Mr. Mohanna is the owner of Mohanna Development Company and founder of the Mohanna Foundation. Mr. Mohanna, it is my great have failed us, come back home!” and he pleasure to see you again cut me off financially. But I could not go and to conduct this interview back home to Iran as a failure. for the readers of Persian Heritage Magazine. Please tell So what did you do? drawn to Sacramento which was the capi- us a little about your back- tol and the “city of sacrament.” I knew ground. I was 18, I had no money and no work there was great potential in such a politi- experience so I decided to go to America. cally driven city on the West Coast. It was I was born in Tehran, Iran on August That was in 1969. My mother smuggled a more open environment socially and for 1, 1950. I was privileged to grow up in a me the money for the plane fare. I went to business and being the capitol of the larg- wealthy family in Shemran with a lineage Boston. You can imagine how I felt com- est state I thought I would have more op- of land ownership spanning hundreds of ing from a wealthy family suddenly living portunities there than Boston. I’d always years. in Roxbury, one of the roughest neighbor- heard about the diversity in California. hoods in the nation where I worked as a Was there anyone who had a janitor of a halfway house for the rehabili- How did you make your great influence on you in your tation of alcoholics for the Volunteers of fortune? life? America and lived in the basement boiler room there. It was an African American I am just a lucky man. The harder I My father was my greatest role mod- neighborhood and they didn’t know who work, the luckier I get. el. I watched him operate with humility I was and thought I was Puerto Rican. I and confidence. used to help old ladies in the neighborhood What made you decide to help carry their groceries home. One day while homeless people? That is interesting that you I was being beaten up by a gang, one of say that because I understand the old lady’s saved me by coming over My lonely and difficult life in Rox- that you voluntarily exiled and hitting them with her cane until they bury positioned me to learn that I can make yourself from him in your ran away. a difference in overcoming poverty. My youth. The halfway house had a 10 o’clock daily encounters with those who had even curfew at which time I had to lock the less than I did taught me the importance This is the story. Often people, in- front door but I would bring the alco- of compassion and kindness. A little help cluding parents don’t love you for who holics in through the back door so they can go a long way. As the janitor of the you are but they love their perception of wouldn’t freeze to death. I made sure the alcoholic house in Roxbury, I witnessed you. My father had sent me to Oxford at bathrooms were the cleanest in Boston the suffering of the down and out in the the age of 17 to become British-educated, and my bosses started to appreciate my cold and snowy nights. Sometimes, I had but that lifestyle was not for me. It was the work. I slowly earned enough money to to make the decision to leave the back door most miserable time in my life. I hated buy my first property for $18,000 when open to give those in the snow a place of the weather and the food and the stiff- I was 22. From there I started my career refuge. Even though I risked losing my job ness of that society. I was very lonesome as a real estate developer. I lived in the and the little income stream that I had, I there. I was not scholarly enough and the basement of that building and fixed up knew it was the right thing to do. only thing I excelled at was karate which the two upper story apartments and rented I practiced with my one friend there who them out. Now having a modest income Tell us about your programs, happened to be Italian. He invited me to go stream I went back to school and eventu- how you got started and what to Rome with him for the holidays. He was ally got a degree in civil engineering from it is like today? miserable at Oxford too so we just stayed Wentworth College in 1974. on with his family in Rome having a great In the early 80’s, I began working time for seven months without my family’s What made you decide to with the homeless and dealing with the knowledge. My mail was forwarded and come to California? issue in downtown Sacramento. I start- they thought I was still at Oxford. But ed volunteering at Loaves and Fishes, a through the gossip mill, word got back to I had heard of the Golden State of Catholic organization feeding the home- my father and he wrote and told me: “You California while I was in Boston and was less across the street from some of my
Fall 2015 15 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E buildings on North C Street. We started A hug can go a long way. Tell them of our less fortunate is the right thing to a continuum of care campus at North C that they are beautiful and that they can do and it works, even though it may not Street in the late 1990s and over time it do it. Empowerment and compassionate be popular. has grown exponentially through various daily interactions are the simple things programs that aid in the rehabilitation and that can have a substantial impact. From Tell us about your peace ef- transformation of our homeless guests. a political standpoint, supporting the poli- forts with Iran. Your model reminds me of the Kah- cies that are friendly to the homeless are rizak Foundation in Tehran which takes crucial. Across various states including I have always been an advocate of homeless elders, orphans and handicapped California, the Right to Rest Act is cur- improving relations between our two na- and gives them housing, education and rently going through legislation. This act tions. My work with Iran started when I job training as well as helping them find decriminalizes homelessness and allows took the University of California Davis’s employment. How many homeless people our homeless individuals to be free from chancellor Vanderhoef and a group of his has your program served? being arrested and fined. Forcefully evict- professors to Iran in 2004. It was the first Loaves and Fishes feeds lunch to ing them from public lands and relocat- U.S. academic delegation to Iran since more than 600 people a day and across the ing them is not a solution. We must also the Iranian revolution. Our delegation street in my building, we started Women’s advocate for solutions and insist on more built bridges between the people of Iran Empowerment which has resulted in over rehabilitative programs and shelters. and the people of America and we were 1,000 homeless women graduating from able to engage in dialogue on many issues the program, obtaining jobs and ending What about the critics of your of common interest. The UC Davis del- the cycle of homelessness. 15 years ago program to help the homeless egation started a legacy in Iran, whereby we started Clean and Sober, a program of Sacramento and what are Iranian students had the opportunity to dealing with alcohol and substance abuse, their objections? come to America for studies and it led to which now has more than 3,000 graduates. several more academic delegations in the Of course there is opposition from following years. I also invited and paid How many of your clients businesses in the region and local leaders. for Coleman Barks, translator of Rumi’s have become homeowners and Business leaders do not want “them” in poetry into English to go to Iran because employed? their neighborhoods. They call them va- he had never been. grants and panhandlers. Their solution is Hundreds from Women’s Empower- to arrest the homeless and take them away You often talk about giving ment alone, as well as several hundred from the city. But this is not sustainable. back to society. How does from Clean and Sober. I have been advocating for an overnight your program differ from homeless shelter in my facilities where state run programs and what Tell us about what your pro- they are already being fed and receiving should the roles of govern- gram does for single mothers? job training. However, the city officials ment and private industry be and business districts have been opposed in alleviating poverty and is Our Women’s Empowerment pro- to creating a shelter and argue that more there a more effective way gram gives homeless, single mothers an homeless will come if we provide them a that the two sectors could col- opportunity to re-start their lives and get place to sleep. I even tried to buy up used laborate in this effort? themselves back on track. We empower First Inn Kyobashi capsule hotel rooms and mentor our single mothers so that they from Japan for the purpose of housing I strongly believe in private-public can gain the skills and confidence to get a homeless but was blocked from getting partnerships. However, our non-profit pro- job and get back custody of their children. permits. grams have been run without the help of government and have mainly been led by What is it you like so much I am amazed that these interfaith groups. The government must about the United States? experiences did not make you step up and take action to help alleviate bitter or cynical and I com- our growing issues with poverty. The ability it offers an individual to mend you for your positive rise to the occasion and become success- approach. Regarding your Does the role of religion help ful despite their background, to be able program to help the homeless the alleviation of poverty? to question authority, to right the wrongs and jobless and underedu- and to promote justice. Of course we can cated could your program be I believe there is too much religion always improve the system and it is up to franchised and started in and not enough faith. Interfaith action has those who do make it to the top to give other cities around the United been a crucial component in addressing back to the community and ensure that the States? the homeless issue in Sacramento. We led opportunities are available and in reach for a series of interfaith events which brought the less fortunate. We must move forward I believe it is a necessity for us to together city leaders and business leaders and leave no one behind. take the model of our continuum of care from various religious backgrounds to sit campus and duplicate it in every other city at the table with the homeless and come How can we, the average in the nation. I have always advocated up with a solution. The collective action in citizen help the poor and that Sacramento can be a model for other Sacramento from various faith groups to- homeless in America? cities. We want to show that taking care wards accomplishing the same goal should
16 No. 79 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E serve as a model for other regions in the United States and even the world. Luxury Consumer Goods Thrive in Iran Tell us about your family. By Amir Paivar and CameliaSadeghzadeh BBC Persian My wife, Nasrin is an architect who studied at the National University of Iran From the roadside billboards advertising Rolex and Louis Vuitton, to the glitzy and she works with me, as do my two shopping centres that have sprung up across Tehran, it’s clear that big brands are daughters. Lily studied law at McGeorge becoming big business in Iran. After decades of austerity following the Islamic Revo- School of Law and is interested in the lution, middle-class Iranians have developed a taste for high-end designer goods, and aspect of the law concerning social justice for Tehran’s young rich, shopping has become the new religion. and Nikky studied at the London School “Exposure to foreign trends through travelling, the internet and satellite televi- of Economics. In fact I have turned over sion has created a desire for branded products,” says Bahar, a 30-year-old fashion most aspects of our real estate develop- blogger. “Showing off is a big part of the story. By spending huge amounts of money ment business to them to allow me to re- on big brands, well-off Iranians want to show they’ve made it.” main more focused on our charity work. Living the high life Mr. Mohanna I want to One group of super-rich young Tehranis have taken showing off to new levels thank you for your time and with their own Instagram site - Rich Kids of Tehran, where without any perceptible participation in this interview. sense of irony, they post pictures of their designer clothes and designer lifestyles. I wonder if there is any mes- When the site first appeared last year it prompted fury and resentment among sage you would like to leave poorer Iranians and the conservatives who dominate Iran’s political and legal institu- for our readers about your tions. But the Rich Kids seem undeterred by the controversy. foundation and philanthropy Recent postings include pictures of Tehran Fashion Week and a question about in general. where people are going on holiday this year - the responses range from Italy and Istanbul to Japan and Dubai. Because luxury brands are still the preserve of the rich, It was my pleasure talking with you they don’t yet show up in the Iranian Customs Authority’s list of top 100 imports. and yes I have a message. But there is an indication of the potential for growth in the most recent figures for We believe that with sustainable phi- cosmetics imports. In the year to March 2015, cosmetics made up 0.1% of the coun- lanthropy, impact and social investing our try’s $52bn (£32.8bn) total imports - many of them big name brands snapped up by foundation and others will help to move increasingly image-conscious consumers. the community forward. This strategy will In big cities all across Iran, traditional bazaars now face fierce competition from help to create an environment where posi- American-style urban shopping centres where big name Western brands are on con- tive, sustainable ideas can be cultivated spicuous display. But although these luxury shopping centres look exactly the same and flourish. Through our many endeavors as retail outlets anywhere in the world, the designer goods on display have actually we make a difference in the lives of many been brought in by third-party importers via Turkey and the Gulf States. and in the community. The outlets that sell them have no connection to the big brand manufacturers. Our general principles are: Big Western fashion brands are not banned from doing business in Iran. But inter- Promoting the well-being of humanity. national banking sanctions in place against Iran over its nuclear programme make it Addressing social and environmental very difficult for them to get their profits out. challenges of the community. To date Spanish clothing retailer Mango, Italian fashion boutique Benetton, and Harnessing the power of humanitari- luxury women’s designer Escada, are among the very few Western companies to open anism and volunteerism for the common shops in Iran.The backdoor way in which foreign brands are imported into Iran means humanity of all mankind. they are more expensive than they would be abroad, but so far this doesn’t seem to Sustainable philanthropy to make a be deterring the shoppers. difference in lives and in the community. Mariam, an office worker who earns the equivalent of just $17,000 a year, has just Providing access to opportunities for blown more than a month’s salary on a new Burberry bag. She bought it online from the less fortunate. an Iranian website that offers clothes and accessories from big brands and Western Smart growth through innovative, High Street retailers. The site takes payments via local credit cards, and offers a free strategic thinking. home-delivery service. Impact and social investing. Dialogue among nations to bring people with diverse perspectives together.
Thank you again for this op- portunity to speak to Persian Heritage readers.
Fall 2015 17 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E that alone keeps a series of couplets from wobbling out of control. A TRANSLATOR’S But this governing scruple makes for a flexibility that a Westerner can only envy. American poems are always headed somewhere, FOREWORD towards a last line’s ringing finality. They are driven by time and its rhythmic counterpart, every prosodic device pressed into the on service of getting us to the proverbial finish line without so much “A Rose Garden of Persian Poetry: from the as a wasted syllable. Persian poetry operates to a different imperative; so much 10th century to the Present” so that it can seem, perusing a Rose-Garden of our sort, that we by Reza Saberi are reading again the same images, the same meter, the same guiding insistence. Even the diction stays blessedly the same: a ROBIN MAGOWAN tenth-century poem of Rudaki remains one any Iranian can read. The same holds for imagery: the conventions expand, but those For the past several years, I have had the privilege of col- Rudaki employs remain current. The same timelessness helps to laborating with Reza Saberi on A Rose Garden of Persian Po- explain the crucial role poetry plays in Iran’s cultural heritage etry: from the 10th century to the Present. Together we present and thus in its national identity. Farsi is not the first language a little-known, but truly great, body of poetry that reflects a five every Iranian speaks; but everyone, Turkish, Kurdish-speaking, thousand-year-old civilization. The following remarks, taken whatever, can recite classical poetry, and the various arts, from from an outsider’s perspective, convey what I have gleaned from music to gardening, are predicated on its dominance. this unusual process of translation and adaptation. It might be asked how a body of poetry can keep its vitality, Although I have traveled to Iran twice, for six weeks at a century after century, dancing in the same set of chains? But be- time in the nineteen sixties, and have written a lengthy essay on fore bemoaning what we won’t find in work that beats to a static the historic cities of Central Asia, I know only a few words of drum, we might consider what is gained. Imagine, for instance, an Persian and do not read Persian script. But as a writer of poetry idiom liberated from the shackles of time, all that servitude that and literary non-fiction, with a lifelong interest in Iran and Central begins the moment we strap on a watch in the morning. When a Asia, I have worked with Saberi’s literal translations to convey poem doesn’t have to get somewhere, what happens? Well, the their poetic essence to contemporary English-speaking audiences. poet can concentrate on achieving in a two-line unit something The concept for our anthology is Saberi’s, as are the selec- perfect, memorable, and jewel-like. A Persian bayt, or couplet, tions from the work of more than a hundred poets, a good third can be put together in various ways, but each is a mini-poem, of whom have never been translated into any Western language. inviolately end-stopped. Where a Hopkins, a Wallace Stevens, Though our selections are weighted towards the short lyric poem feels called upon to justify each and every departure from com- – four-line rubaiyat, ghazal – most of the major genres, other mon usage, the “cats and dogs” Americanese of William Carlos than narrative, are represented. For all the variety, one is left with Williams, the Persian feels no such qualms. A couplet can be as a feeling of a remarkable unity: each poet contributes to what defiantly convoluted as he can make it. Or it can carry a witty seems in effect the same poem, making up a tradition more than pungency expressed in the freshest of idioms. But these mini- a sequence of individual works. This suppleness, the continuing poems are never complete in the way that a haiku is. It requires, at fertility that sustains an ongoing convention system, is exactly least, a second couplet, to become the epigram that is a rubaiyat. what a large anthology can bring out. The other great Persian form, the ghazal, consists of a series “Poetry is what’s gained in translation,” James Merrill once of jewel-like couplets, as alike or unalike as the pearls compos- remarked, citing Fitzgerald’s reinvention of Omar Khayyam, for ing the strands of a necklace. Just how randomly strung is open him the greatest poem in the language. With a facing page, we to question. But a ghazal feels improvised, guided by the spur can’t aspire to such license. Still, we would like to think that our of the moment, until the poet, running out of gas, bails out by versions rise above a beleaguered accuracy; that, now and then, referring in the third person to himself as the writer. we do arrive at a translation, which comes across as that elusive The structure of a ghazal can become deeply meditative as thing, poetry. Nonetheless, this makes for a certain distortion. A the poet probes ever inwards. The initial rhyme pronounced at the poem in English is not the same as one in Persian. Though the two end of the first two lines or hemistichs, which recurs at the end of languages share some Indo-European roots, and even a cognate each succeeding couplet, keeps the meditation concentrated on a or two, they differ enormously in their effects. unifying presence: the love-object, the mystic “Sun,” or maybe In Persian, a poet cannot repeat a single rhyme, a radif or that implied Beauty, one’s patron-ruler. buried phrase, often enough; the more he repeats, the more con- To a long succession of poets, the mystical Sufi tradition vincing the poem becomes. In English, a language that boasts a brought a well sign-posted convention system. By interpreting the vast word-trove, to harp on a single repetitive monorhyme can’t Divine as the Unknowable, the poet quester placed himself on a help but grate. Even close rhyme, if it isn’t varied enough, or fertile pathway; one that would conduct his readers, hopefully, to insufficiently precise, can seem obtrusive. Ideally, rhymes need a single destination and a much sought self-realization. The to be found in different parts of speech of different syllables, so dervish mode of life a Sufi espoused-4)n the road, open to the arranged that their recurrence comes as a surprise. Play must seem wind, living in the moment, and by no means ashamed of the wine something other than compulsive. We have forms and with them sustaining him-put him at odds with the clerical establishment. rules; but an unitary line, normally end-stopped, can be broken But that made poets useful allies in a secular ruler’s struggle or enjambed, when needed. for legitimacy. For all its mystical advocacy, Persian poetry is, What we feel about the need for variety, Persian poets feel by and large, court poetry, full of wit to one audience, bestowing about sameness. Play is always subject to a spiritual “oneness” gnomic wisdom to another.
18 No. 79 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E One can see why, faced with the charge of heresy, poets Poetry, in any language, often blurs syntactical clarity. We found working within a coded system expedient. By walking in may feel the persuasiveness of a poem’s music, its rhythmic tilt, a distinct set of shoes, sanctioned by tradition, a poet progressed but what we assume it to be saying may clarify only as we plumb along his tightrope from one highly visible utterance to the next. its verbal depths. Even then, a poet may want to retain a necessary Much of what Western poetry evokes lay out of bounds, enigma; all the more if he is working within lines that dictate what forbidden to the Persian Sufi writer; this is why one encounters can and can’t be addressed, what’s blasphemy and what isn’t. no nature poetry in the millennium between Manuchehri and A coded convention system need not exclude a poetry that Sepehri. But poets could get around the restriction by yoking speaks to our urgency; witness the Cold War explosion of Polish a natural image-the rose, the nightingale, a drop of dew-to a poetry, which passed through censors with figurative meanings spiritual quality. The rose was not just a flower, but an emblem intact. Invention thrives when the poet knows the rules: what it of paradise, a presence that even a translator can fit out with a takes to be outrageous and somehow or other get away with it. capital R. But the constant hyphenation of image and abstraction In our anthology we see that fragile borderline approached again can feel cumbersome. Do I really want to tum up the volume in and again, not always with happy results. this manner? Out of this mutual need a system arose that, in some ways, Translating a timeless idiom into our time-bound one can’t endures to this day. The rulers were, as always, in need of the help but distort. In praise that poets provided. A patron could be flattered as little less Persian, poems are nameless, untitled. To find them in a than the Beloved, that androgynous Rose whose bounty flickered divan, or anthology, we need to know the rhyme word that binds as arbitrarily as the glances of any beauty. Come too close to its a string of couplets. How do I justify putting a name to a poem? luminous flame and one might, like a moth, be scorched. It was With a certain irony, tongue-in-cheek? this tremulous region between the secular and the mystic that a Much as we have learned to relish ambiguity and a multi- poet explored, tears in his eyes, puddles ornamenting his every leveled discourse, we require certain things to be clear, such as footstep. This ability to weep his way through life became nothing the gender of the beloved being courted. A man or a woman? A less than an index of a poet’s openness, his humility. man, the tradition assures us, but there are circumstances that A yearning for the unattainable is not easy to convey. Suf- clearly invoke the feminine. What, in turn, about the needed fering is what most of us, in our comfortable lives, would rather time-specifics, “when,” “where,” “while,” that keep a Western avoid than embrace. But one has only to read Rumi’s “Reed Pipe,” poem grounded? One proceeds, convinced they are there, subtly let alone listen to music based on the kind of poetry recorded embedded in the timeless bedrock. in our anthology, to recognize how pervasively such heartfelt yearning has been embraced. In Saeb, half a millennium later than Rumi, we see the same note, only now the weeper is a Pierrot, bringing to the same mystical poetry a new comic exuberance. To Iranians such recognitions can be taken for granted, synonymous with their heritage and the life they lead. But to a translator trying to render the sparks that set a poem alight, much remains unclear. How do I decode the aureate diction of Khaqani’ s great paean to the ruins of Ctesiphon, a poem every literate Iranian of a certain generation knows by heart? Or what about the barely translatable Hafez, never less than supremely opaque, who sums up a whole rose garden so definitively that, by most accounts, classical poetry ends with his death in 1390 -where else is there for a “timeless” poetry to go? Well, as our anthology shows, there is an answer: the Persian- speaking Mughal court of Shah Jahan and two poets, the witty Saeb and the enigmatic Bidel who, at their best, more than ri- val Hafez. The immensely influential “Indo-Persian” style that they helped launch could seem with its convoluted imagery and comic personae excessive, reason enough for it to be shunned in conservative Iran. When a breakthrough of the “lndo-Persian” sort represents a necessary step in a tradition’s evolution, you can’t slam the door on it without calling into question all subsequent innovation. For the next several centuries Persian poetry lay moribund. To what extent twentieth century modernism, coming mostly from France, effected a revival remains for readers to assess. It is hard to revive a timeless poetry when the court structure that nurtured it has been obliterated. As our selections make clear, the twentieth century has not been a propitious time. Nonethe- less, unlikely as it may seem, Iran has witnessed the emergence of a group of world-class filmmakers. I can’t help but believe that a love and knowledge so deeply embedded won’t result in a reflourishing of one of the world’s great poetic traditions.
Fall 2015 19 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to interview you. Can we start by having you introduce yourself to our readers?
Let me start by saying that I am grate- ful for your request to interview me for Persian Heritage. My name is Kamshad Raiszadeh and I am a spinal surgeon. I was born in 1964 in Ahvaz, Iran. Both of my parents were born and raised in Iran but received most of their education in the States. In order to do this they traveled back and forth from the US to Iran three times. My dad received his doctorate and post doctorate in chemistry and my mother completed her medical residency in Pa- An Interview with thology in the States. DR. KAMSHAD RAISZADEH When was their last trip back Spinal Surgeon to Iran? Medical Director of the Advanced Spine Institute The last trip back for our whole fam- Minimally Invasive Spine center ily was in 1977 and it was to be a return at Alvarado Hospital to Iran for good. However, six months Shahrokh Ahkami after the revolution we returned to the US, specifically to Northern California. whom were children of ambassadors and When you returned to the other sophisticated families. This opened United States did you have What about your schooling? my eyes to the world. any difficulties in adjusting?
Most of my schooling was in the US. And the curriculum? No, not much difficulty. What made it I spent, however, very formative years easier for me is that I spoke fluent English in Iran between grade 1-3 at Community The curriculum was very impressive, with no trace of an accent. Additionally I School and 8th and 9th grade at Iranzamin, maybe because they were trying to prepare was involved in sports and was a member both in Tehran. us for the baccalauréat examination, or of the high school tennis and soccer teams, maybe it was the infamous headmaster or providing me with a loyal clique of friends How were your experiences in exceptional highly trained teachers. There On the other hand, I did have other the Iranian schools? were many multi lingual courses, phe- Persian friends who had perceptible ac- nomenal electives, and they also offered cents and did face harassment. Of course Excellent! At Community School, I a variety of sports; I played soccer and this was because of the rawness of the have vivid memories of the strictness of tennis. In fact I still remember the asphalt hostage crisis and Americans’ lack of the teachers but also the great camaraderie soccer field and sports bubble, which I knowledge of Iran and Iranians. of the students. played tennis in. There was a great dirt field that at- Your family, brothers and tracted us for boisterous, competitive soc- I understand that a number parents are very educated. Can cer games. Even years later after returning of your classmates from Iran you tell us a bit about them? to Iran for middle school, many of my also moved to the US and classmates at Community would fondly have become very prominent. Well as I stated earlier my father has remind me of our times, making me feel a doctorate in Chemistry and was offered the bond of a greater community that I Yes you are correct, in fact one of a position as a Dean of a college in Tehran. didn’t feel in the US. them is Cyrus Amirmokri, who I have the That offer and my mother’s position At Iranzamin, I remember how chal- pleasure of sharing the cover of this issue as a clinical pathologist were the reason lenging the curriculum was compared to of Persian Heritage we returned to Iran in 1977. I have two the States, yet how fascinated, engaged, It is still astonishing when I think brothers, both orthopedic surgeons also, and motivated I was in that environment. about it, since there are 5 of us from that one subspecializing in spinal surgery and In fact I was far advanced when compared Iranzamin class who currently live in San the other in sports injuries. to my US classmates, which gave me a leg Diego, all successful professionals includ- up for college. I was also impressed by ing an ophthalmologist, plastic surgeon, What made you choose the diversity of my classmates, many of and two high-tech entrepreneurs. medicine over chemistry?
20 No. 79 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E As a kid, I was fascinated with the bones to realign the spine, we need to first this area where there is a lack of good pathology slides my mother would bring get down to the spine. Traditionally this options that integrate the best in non- home. The wealth of information con- has involved stripping the muscles off of operative care with the knowledge and tained in those slides and the gateway the spine, which itself can cause a lot of expertise of surgeons. We have multiple they opened into what was happening in trauma and disability due to muscle scar- clinics called SpineZone in San Diego the body astonished me. While I enjoyed ring and decreased function. where we have shown that with appropri- chemistry immensely, the field of medi- The field of minimally invasive spine ate education and focused strengthening cine drew me in. surgery involves fixing the spine prob- and postural treatment we can decrease lems, but doing so with minimal muscle the rate of injections and surgery and sig- I have been told that you were disruption. We can now do surgeries nificantly improve the function and satis- not only studious but also had through small incisions that would have faction of patients. We are in the process a passion for art, painting been performed through large 6-8 inch of fundraising to take this concept to a and sculpture. Are you still incisions with a fraction of the blood loss national level. involved? and much decreased risk of infection. Do you have any patents of As much as I love to paint and sculpt, Are you using laparoscopic your own? at the present time I don’t have the time techniques? to indulge in that passion. Having said Currently I have two issued patents that however, I believe my profession as In some cases we use endoscopic and I always have an interest to continue a spinal surgeon often makes me feel like techniques to remove discs through small to look for new technology to improve an artist. As part of deformity spine sur- pencil like tubes. Another very revolution- people’s lives. gery, we cut and reshape the spine. We ary method allows us to see the internal also piece together and realign the spine architecture of the spine without opening I would now like to discuss after fractures. There is a lot of immediate it up. With new intraoperative technology, your philanthropic and hu- satisfaction not only with the anticipated our instruments can now be equipped with manitarian work. What made patient improvement, but also with look- an internal map of the spine. This allows you be interested in this at ing at the result, which is not unlike the me to place an instrument on the skin, and such a young age? feeling after completing a sculpture or project where it would land deep in the painting. body. As you can imagine, such technol- My family and I feel very blessed ogy helps us operate through a very small and have benefitted from the grace of Your profession as a spinal opening, yet allows us to see the same if others and believe that we have a respon- surgeon is very interesting as not more than if the whole spine were sibility to give back. Thus 10 years ago, is your philanthropic work. I exposed with no muscle on it. we self-funded a philanthropic organiza- would like you to discuss both tion called SHaRE, Spine Humanitarian with our readers, but let’s You are in the process of writ- and Research and Education Founda- start with medicine. ing a book? tion. Since then we have taken on a wide range of needy patients. These include I am an orthopedic spinal surgeon. Yes, I am writing a book for the providing loans and grants to patients who My residency was in orthopedic surgery general public to educate them on back fall through the cracks of insurance and involving treatment of bone and joint and spinal pain. Like I mentioned ear- who cannot afford care. We have funded diseases throughout the body. Then I sub lier, the spine is the core of our being, everything from paying patients’ rent to specialized in spine and neck disorders. and so many of our stresses are centered prevent eviction to providing training in Spine surgery can help patients suffer- there. It is no surprise that in this age of a new occupation. We have also funded ing from disc herniations, degeneration, inactivity and increased demands, there is educational programs to help prevent spi- nerve compression, tumors, deformities such an epidemic of back and neck pain nal disability, and funded research into such as scoliosis, and fractures. It is a field with patients seeking invasive treatments the causes of chronic back pain. We even that involves intricate work around nerves such as injections and surgery to get relief. helped bring a very special girl from Bru- and muscles but also structural work. The Through the book, I provide perspective nei to the United States and diagnosed spine is, after all, the core of the body and and knowledge of the body’s own great her very severe spinal deformity and as- is the focus of much strain both physically recuperative capacity. I want to empower sociated heart abnormality. With the help and emotionally. patients to take control of their back con- of Children’s and Shriner’s Hospital, she dition by strengthening it and to only use underwent both heart and spine surgery, is I know you are motivated by invasive treatments as needed. functional with minimal pain, and earning new techniques in spinal sur- straight A’s in school. gery, which are less invasive, But this is not spine surgery. what does this mean? How are you involved in this? You are also doing something with your family? There is a new movement in spinal I have been fortunate to have studied surgery to perform surgeries with less in- and learned from some of the leaders in Yes my wife and children have started jury to the muscle. To take pressure off non-operative treatment also. In fact this an informational campaign for kids on nerves or to put screws and rods in the interest has prompted me to innovate in the importance of good posture. If you
Fall 2015 21 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E remember, as children we were repeatedly and describing the importance of sitting it and would you like to go told to sit up and stand straight. Today and working with straight and proper pos- back? we are bending over computers, phones, ture. They have recruited multiple kids of video games, and other technology for different ages to perform this awareness Of course there are many aspects of countless hours. We have a tendency to campaign at schools and events. So far Iran I miss. The people, culture, and the tilt our heads down and round our backs they are listening. sites are still fresh in my memory from in sustained, very poor postures. Proper years ago. I did go back in 1999 for a posture is imperative to help prevent dis- You are a very busy man. How medical conference and I have to tell you abling spinal conditions in the future. An do you balance family and I was very impressed by what I saw. The orthopedic surgeon coined the term “text work? hospitals, physicians, and medical care neck” to describe the poor neck posture were excellent. Also you could see a real from extended technology usage. He cal- I cannot deny that I spend a great deal thirst for knowledge, research, and inno- culated that the brain perceives the head’s of time at my profession and passions. vative solutions. I am scheduled to go back weight as increasing by 10 lbs for every Clearly my kids are observing everything I in a few months to Tehran for a conference inch it migrates forward. That means that do and so I try to model balance with hard and lecture on spinal surgery and am look- even if you hold your head only 3 inches work in harmony with non-work passions ing forward to the experience. forward, your muscles and tendons are and family connectedness. I believe that forced to hold about 42 pounds instead everyone must find their own right balance Do you have a closing mes- of the typical 12 pound head. between work or passions and raising a sage for our readers especially family, and this is sometimes challenging. the younger generation? How are your children in- Quality time of course is important, but volved? sometimes just being there is what kids It is probably a message that they need. I try to do my work efficiently and at have heard from their parents already but The kids find that their peers are far times when the kids are asleep. As much as I believe it is an important one. I would more likely to listen and learn from other possible I try not to get interrupted by the tell them to find their life’s mission. We kids and their experiences, rather than a phone or texts when with them. Quality all have one; we just have to focus and lecture from adults. The kids have started time, love, respect and attention will help take the time to discover it from within. a program we call “Str8up Kid2Kid.” children go in a positive direction. Then pursue it with passion and hard They are spreading awareness via school work. This is the best advice I received presentations and social media, teaching For a moment I would like to and just want to pass it on. Thank you for kids to perform stretches and exercises, return to Iran, do you miss this opportunity.
The Izadkhast Fortress at Fars Province
The Fortress of Izadkhast is located in the Fars Province of Iran, roughly 135 km south of Isfahan. This historical complex has been situated on a natural base along with unique characteristics. The complex contains the castle of Izadkhast, one caravanserai and the Safavid-period bridge. The works inside of the castle belong to different periods from Sassanids to Qajars. The most important section of the complex is the castle that has been built on singular bedrock in a sand construction and close to the valley of Izadkhast. A bridge and a gate in the most accessible part of the complex made it possible to connect with the surrounding areas. It is, in form of construction, unique but can be, from the-materials-used point of view, compared with Citadel of Bam, Rhine and many other citadels, castles built in provinces of Yazd and Kerman. The complex caravanserai can be compared with Safavid caravanserais especially the caravanserais in Isfahan-Shiraz Route. Inside the walls of the fortress, there are alleyways and passages that criss-cross it. Right by the front gate that goes over a moat, there are many homes that are now fully deserted while some are completely destroyed. According to the locals, as recent as the turn of the millennium, people still lived in the old part of Izadkhast but due to floods in the past two years, the homes were destroyed and people were forced to move. Most of the homes in the interior were constructed from wood and mud. The smallness of the bedrock led to agglomeration of built rooms. Hence, the smallness of rooms resulted in increase of floors, some as many as five stories high which in itself and considering the circumstances of its time is a remarkable architectural feat. The caravanserai at the castle dates back to the time of Safavid Dynasty (1502 – 1736). The front gate was burned down by Nader Shah’s soldiers camping there during a cold night as they were looking for firewood.
22 No. 79 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E
An Interview with NIMA KIANN
Founder and Artistic Director of Les Ballet Persans last part
Persian Heritage photographer:Rahim Karimi
Do you collaborate with other on his Noheh-Khan composition which is limited to neoclassical, contemporary, and Persian choreographers and a piece of music master work. Many other character dance like in any other national composers? Iranian composers contact the company ballet company. Character dance is a dance and suggest their creation for new chore- style similar to folk and ethnic dances but is The genre of my dance is ballet and ographies. I am so happy to have access to based on classical ballet training with more thereby all my choreographies or ballets a musical treasure! professionalism and theatrics. We do not that are produced by Les Ballets Persans is produce any pure folklore, traditional, or based on classical ballet technique. There What type of ballets does the popular dance. All ballets that we produce are very few active ballet choreographers company perform within the must be directly connected to the Persian with Iranian origin at my age or younger, Persian heritage as well as heritage in terms of music, movement, perhaps three-four that I know. Unfortu- outside of the Persian heri- story, costume, scenery and more gener- nately there has not been any opportunity tage? ally, atmosphere. Our mission is only to for collaboration until now, but we know propagate for the Persian heritage through each other and have been in contact. Hope- Les Ballets Persans’ repertoire, in spite ballet. fully new opportunities for collaboration of its pure technical classical approach, will arise in the future. does not include any of the international Where are your ballet perfor- As for collaborating with Persian ballet repertoire’s standard works like Swan mances produced? composers, yes, very often. For each new Lake, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, etc. dance production, one important require- This is for two reasons; the first is the lack Les Ballets Persans is based in Swe- ment is to contact the composer whose of sufficient financial means. National Bal- den since its start in 2002. Most of our pro- music will be used for choreography. It’s let Companies are governmental institu- ductions have been produced here during really heartwarming that so many great tions. Les Ballets Persans is not and there early years of the company. But a few years composers would like to provide me with is not any Iranian cultural organization/ ago and especially after the introduction their music; When I was preparing for the institution within the Iranian Diaspora (and of the European Youth Dance Project, our choreography of “Femme” (Zan in Farsi, in the entire universe!) that would have any performances have been mainly produced title of the ballet) Master Hossein Alizadeh visions of using a dance company and its or staged in a vast geographical area, from sent me some exclusive recordings which productions to propagate for the Persian Central Asia to North America, in Kyrgyz- were not published yet. Peyman Soltani heritage. Unfortunately most of them can- stan, Tajikistan, various European coun- kindly rearranged his Iraneh-khanum or- not even make a difference between profes- tries, US and Canada to name a few. chestral music to adapt for ballet choreog- sional qualitative dance and entertainment. raphy which I used for creation of Vis and Perhaps it’s not so strange; we have never Another one of your projects Ramin. Maestro Loris Tjeknavorian has been cultivated in dance in our country. is the European Youth Dance provided me with lots of amazing music The other reason is that there are so many Project. Can you tell us about which are on queue for choreography. I other companies that can produce standard this? have a close professional relationship and ballet productions from the international friendship with Maestro Alexander (Ali) repertoire better than Les Ballets Persans. European Youth Dance Project was Rahbari who has been Les Ballets Persans’ Reproduction of ballets from the interna- started in 2007 as an artistic, integration and artistic advisor since early days of the com- tional repertoire is not our mission. piece project aiming to attract young danc- pany. I created a contemporary choreogra- In terms of technique, the types of bal- ers within the European Union. But dancers phy for Tajikistan’s National Ballet based lets that Les Ballets Persans produces are applied from all over the world and soon it
Fall 2015 23 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E grew to an intercontinental project. It’s un- and Maksud Mamedov in Baku. My ar- temporary dance and no modern dance believable that until today participants from chived (!) knowledge in Turkish was a great instructor at the State College of Dance more than 30 nationalities have worked help when I explained over a telephone call and Choreography in Dushanbe. It was within different productions and projects to them that I intended to revive their for- evident that contemporary dance had to of Les Ballets Persans. Within this project gotten ballets, Babek and Seven Beauties be introduced to the company. There are the company creates opportunity for young for the world premiere of Les Ballets Per- almost no national ballet companies in the and newly educated dancers to enhance sans. Also later on, I had a huge use of my Western world who do not practice and their technical ability at a professional level knowledge in Turkish, when collaborating stage contemporary dance alongside the and also gather experience about how it is with artists and national ballet companies in classical works. So I decided to make a to work in a professional ballet company. other Central Asian countries who speak a new contemporary choreography for the You can say, that the project is their gate- branch of Turkish like Kyrgyzstan. company as an introduction to this genre way to their professional career. The project By telling you this I mean, you should of dance, both to the National Ballet of Ta- gives space to integrate in a multicultural never underestimate any language. When jikistan, dance community of the country environment and most importantly to get you think that you will probably never have and also to the audience. It turned to be to know a new, rich and ancient culture. It use of any language, then your linguistic easier said than done! is also an advantage to dance a repertoire knowledge can come to your help when It was really one of my career’s big- that has a specific characteristic and ap- you least expect. gest challenges. Dancing in contemporary proach. Many of our former dancers are style requires years of training and educa- now engaged in National Ballet companies One of the highlights of your tion alongside the classical ballet. It was or other renown dance companies and in- career must have been the a huge task, during a limited period of stitutions all around the world. invitation to perform in Tajiki- time, to make dancers move in a way they stan, can you tell us about this never had experience. Everything I cho- I know you are fluent in five experience? reographed for them, simply looked unsat- languages, and are they? isfying and unprofessional when danced, Actually, I was invited to Tajikistan to because of the lack of the dancer’s training I speak fluently English, Swedish, bring a new repertoire to the Tajik Nation- in this style. The visit of the deputy culture French, Turkish (language of Turkey) and al Ballet, the same of Les Ballets Persans. minister of Tajikistan to see our general Persian. I also have basic knowledge and So I went there after a total renovation of rehearsal did not make me less nervous, can understand somewhat Italian, Spanish, the opera house to help renew their bal- the day before the premiere! To make the Danish, Russian, Arabic and Azeri (spoken let repertoire. In 2003 a performance was story short; after a hard work, tremendous in the Republic of Azerbaijan). I can read going on at the Opera and the President amount of rehearsals and adaptation of the and write in Cyrillic. This is a huge help of the country, Mr. Emamali Rahman, choreography to the technical ability of when you travel and work in Central Asia the Culture Minister and other officials dancers, the contemporary work was fi- like in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, were attending. Just in the middle of the nally staged as a part of the world premiere etc. Language is a great interest of mine performance, the stage machinery col- performance in Dushanbe. The choreog- which was awoken in my adulthood. I am lapsed. This was of course a great embar- raphy that I created for the Tajik Ballet’s not very proud of my scores in English rassment to the Opera’s general director. debut in modern dance was “Symphony at school! They were quite embarrassing! But no one could be blamed. The house of Elegy” based on Alexander (Ali) Rah- Why? I believe because the educational was in desperate need of renovation after bari’s orchestral work, Nohe-Khan. The system in Iran during my school years did years of civil war in the country. It never performance was received with standing not motivate me enough to learn foreign saw a shadow of renovation for decades. ovations and was praised by critics. The languages. I left Iran when I was 17 and However, the President got on stage and general director of the Opera House, Mr. spoke only my mother tongue. Soon and ordered the Culture Minister to set aside Majidov, announced that this was a histori- by traveling around the world I understood enough budget for “restoring the pride of cal moment for Tajik dance. that knowledge in a new language is actu- Tajikistan.” The house was closed down After the world premier, I organized ally a wealth and the key to enter into a for years while going through a profound the first international tour of the company new culture. renovation and finally opened its doors to since the breakdown of the Soviet Union. Language has been one of my most the audience in 2009. Tajik ambassador to Germany, came to see important elements of creating contacts in After the opening of the new opera the performance in Hamburg and showed my work with different people of various house, they decided to renew both orches- a great deal of encouragement and ap- origin/country. I learned Turkish (which tral, opera and ballet repertoire. As for my preciation. was my first foreign language) perfectly contribution, the General Director, Mr. My work with National Ballet com- when I was in Turkey after my departure Majidov, was interested in my choroeg- panies in Central Asia intensified after from Iran. When I left the country in 1989, raphies which are based on classical bal- this experience. Last year, I made a dance I did not practice it actively any more since let technique, but has a distinct approach production for Marjan Television Network I did not believe that I would use this lan- to the Persian heritage which is in many (Manoto1 TV) for their exclusive Nowruz guage any more. Eleven years later when cases identical to the Tajik heritage. When program using Kyrgyz dancers. Les Bal- I was making preparations for establishing starting to work with the company I dis- lets Persans started a collaboration with Les Ballets Persans in Sweden, after much covered that contemporary dance as it is the National Ballet of Kyrgyzstan. This research and difficulties, I found the great known in the West, simply does not exist time the culture minister of the country, Azeri choreographers Rafiga Akhundova in Tajikistan. There is no training in con- Mr. Sultan Rayev got involved and wanted
24 No. 79 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E to meet me in order to discuss about the of the world premiere. which share the same cultural heritage development of the art form in Kyrgyz- So my collaboration with ballet art- have so much in common. Our cultural stan. The day after our meeting, a press ists in Central Asia started long before ties should be much stronger than what conference was organized on February visiting Tajikistan. Central Asian countries they are today. To bring my contacts, 5th, at the ministry with me and the deputy have a rich and long ballet tradition based including all the cultural institutions all culture minister Ms. Baktygul Belekova. on the Russian school of ballet. Ballet around the world and help to construct The collaboration between Les Ballets was regarded as a magnificent form of Art an Opera House of the same standard of Persans and the National Ballet of Kyr- during the Soviet era. Unfortunately Iran well-developed countries and present the gyzstan was announced to the media. Now and its northern neighbors did not have best of the fabulous culture of my native we are looking forward to new projects any in-depth cultural exchange during that country. And, finally to organize a pro- and more in-depth collaboration. period because of political circumstances. found cultural exchange between Iran and After the breakdown of the Soviet a new neighboring countries on the basis of our Was it this experience that opportunity arose for cultural exchange mutual cultural heritage. motivated you to bring your and I was fortunate to discover that at an ballet repertoire further into early stage of my work with Les Ballets Do you have any inspirational central Asia? Persans. words for our readers espe- Now I am working with several Na- cially for the younger genera- No. The reason was very simple; we tional Ballet Companies in Central Asia. tions with Persian roots? share the same cultural heritage, more than I have access to great artistic resources in what we know and imagine. When mak- these countries and am honored to be able If I would say anything to the ing preparations for founding Les Ballets to contribute with a new style of ballet younger generation of my compatriots, Persans, I decided to include two full- repertoire based entirely on Eastern cul- that would be; DREAM! BELIEVE in evening ballets from Azerbaijan; Babek tures and assist to renew and update the yourself, WORK very hard and NEVER, based on the story of Bābak Khorram-Din art form. An achievement in this way was EVER give up until you reach the goal! and the rebellion of Sorkh-Jāmegān, and the production of the contemporary dance It’s a blessing to be able to dream and also Haft-Peykar (Seven Beauties) based of “Symphony of Elegy” which was Tajik have visions in life. Dreaming is the start on Khamseh of Nezami Ganjavi. I invited Ballet’s very first experience of contem- point of every realized vision. Let your the choreographers of these masterpieces porary choreography. determination illuminate your path and to Sweden and we started the production Iran and Central Asian countries guide you through the journey!
Fall 2015 25 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E An Overview of the Military Activities of Russo-Soviet Aircraft Against Iran (1914-1988)
part two Dr. Kaveh Farrokh
Soviet forces invading men flew their aircraft towards fied type of Soviet aircraft car- Iranpour had also ordered his northwest Iran (Azerbaijan Zanjan to their west where they rier which launched “hydro troops to cease firing at Soviet province) and northern Iran landed to refuel. They then re- aviation” planes (Yekranigian, ships whenever Soviet aircraft (Gilan province adjacent to sumed their flight towards Teh- 2005, pp.415). flew overhead. It is possible Mazandaran province to its ran. Two of the planes crashed Sedelnikov’s troops land- that Il-2 Sturmoviks had ap- east – both situated along the en-route, but their pilots did ing at Astara were quickly peared as these were highly ef- southern shore of the Caspian survive and arrived safely in joined by the 44th army’s tanks fective against strong ground Sea) were those of Lieutenant- Tehran. Sheibani and his pilots and motorized infantry ad- targets. The Iranian refusal to General Dmitri T. Kozlov’s had managed to fly their air- vancing from the north. Soviet fire at low flying Soviet air- Transcaucasus Front consist- craft out of Tabriz just in time bombers had worked hard to craft prevented the Soviets ing of the 44th and 47th armies as the Russian 44th army was support the Soviet drive into from locating Iranpour’s can- (Stewart, 1988, pp.83). Ko- pushing towards Zanjan from Gilan and northern Iran along non for aerial bombardment. zlov’s army was composed Astara which had just fallen to the Caspian Sea by attacking Soviet planes were also kept of the 6th Tank Division, 63rd Soviet troops. Astara had been Anzali, Rasht (Gilan’s provin- at bay by the effective firing (Georgian) Mountain Infan- quickly captured as it was a cial capital) and Gilan prov- of the machine guns and 47 try Division, 76th (Armenian) port city very close to the So- ince’s army barracks. Soviet mm guns of three Iranian gun- Mountain Infantry Division, viet border. bombing resulted in the deaths boats operating in the harbor. the 24th Cavalry Division, the Gilan province was tar- of 200 civilians. In contrast While Ward (2009, pp.165) 54th Tank Division, the 236th geted by land and sea. The sea- to the easy capture of Astara, only identifies these ships as Infantry Division and a squad- borne invasion was led by Rear- initial Soviet efforts to storm having machine guns only, ron of the 7th Independent Ar- Admiral Sedelnikov’s Soviet Bandar Anzali ran into strong Yekrangian (2005; pp.415) mored Train Battalion. The Caspian Sea Flotilla that was resistance. The local regimental notes that these craft were also Soviets first struck into Pol to escort freighters and tankers commander, General Iranpour, equipped with 47mm cannon. Dasht, Azerbaijan in northwest transporting troops and military had deployed his forces into the The weapons had apparently Iran on the morning of August equipment. This sailed from dense forests along the beaches been modified for anti-aircraft 25th with the 47th Army (Ward, Baku towards Iran’s northern exactly where Soviet forces use before the invasion. The 2009, pp.162) led by Major- coastline. As soon as the in- intended to land their forces. 47mm cannon would have General Vasilly V. Novikov. vasion began on August 25th, Captain Daftari of the Iranian been effective against low- Novikov led his assault with Sedelnikov split his fleet in navy sank a platform in front flying Soviet aircraft, includ- an overwhelming force of tanks two with one heading towards of the beach which blocked ing the Il-2 Sturmovik. towards Tabriz planning then to Astara and the other towards Soviet ships attempting to sail Soviet aerial assaults move towards Qazvin (Stewart, Bandar Anzali. Sedelnikov’s into Bandar Anzali’s harbour. however proved far more suc- 1988, pp.83). Novikov’s sec- force of six gunboats (one at As the Iranians lacked coastal cessful the next day (August ond objective was to capture 1000, three at 750 and two at guns, Iranpour placed a battery 26). Large (but unspecified) Rezaieh (modern Urumiah) 700 tons), four auxiliary escort of four 75mm guns to repel the numbers of bombers (type un- which would be used as a patrol boats, numbers of tor- Soviets at sea (Stewart, 1988, known) in groups of four were springboard to invade Iranian pedo boats, submarine chasers pp.149). The second Soviet flo- sent all over Gilan on bombing Kurdistan. There was also a and small patrol craft (Stewart, tilla from Baku (the first hav- missions. Their most success- thrust by Novikov towards 1988, pp.82) dwarfed the min- ing already arrived at Astara) ful strike was against a well- Maku that would then cut off iscule Iranian Caspian navy of soon reached Anzali. The Baku placed machine gun position at Iran from the Turkish frontier. three 30-ton gunboats (Sefid- ships were fired upon by two Ghazian (near Rasht) (Yekra- By August 26, Sheibani in rood, Gorgan, and Babolsar) volleys of Iranpour’s cannon. nigian, 2005, pp.421). Soviet Tabriz had decided to prevent and two other vessels (Shah- The Soviets responded by fir- bombers returned to continue the capture of Iran’s outdated savar and Nahang) (Babaie, ing three ineffective salvos and the bombardment of Gilan fighters by the incoming Sovi- 2005a, pp.294; Yekranigian, then withdrew. the next day (August 27). Gi- ets. Sheibani had also given his 2005, pp.415). Concerns over The efforts of the Soviet lan’s naval stations, military pilots the option of fleeing by possible Iranian air attacks led fleet continued to be stymied barracks and a rehabilitation car, but they all volunteered to Sedelnikov to deploy three in their later attempts to land center at Anzali were intensely fly their aircraft out of Tabriz floating anti-aircraft platforms troops at Anzali due to a com- bombed by Soviet aircraft. Re- with Sheibani (Ward, 2009, (Stewart, 1988, pp.82). Yekran- bination of the blocked har- sistance at Bandar Anzali and pp.165). Sheibani and his air- gian also reports of an unspeci- bor and Iranpour’s artillery. Rasht was finally overcome
26 No. 79 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E by Soviet forces advancing by Ramsar in neighbouring Ma- Motazedi) was less prepared were orders to not resist the land. The following day (Au- zandaran province); these had against a Soviet invasion. As in impending arrival of Soviet gust 28) Soviet vessels were taken weapons and supplies Azerbaijan, Soviet air attacks paratroops at Tehran’s Qaleh approached by an Iranian mo- from Rasht’s armoury to con- played a vital role in support- Morqhi 1st air regiment air- torboat bearing a white flag to tinue their resistance (ibid). ing the Soviet advance. base (Babaie, 2005b, pp.67). signal ceasefire orders that had Mashad’s airport (nota- The rebel airmen then arrested been issued to Iranian forces b) Soviet invasion into north- bly the main hangar and other the chief of the air force, Brig- (Babaie, 2005a, pp.294). east Iran (Khorasan prov- aerodrome structures) was adier-General Khosrovani. Despite specific ceasefire ince). attacked by Soviet bombers As the situation deteriorated, orders from Tehran, resistance Iran’s north eastern prov- (type unknown) but these were Brigadier-General Bozorje- in Gilan failed to cease upon inces (Khorasan and Gorgan) repelled by highly concen- mehri gave orders for all of the arrival of Soviet troops into were invaded on August 27, trated anti-aircraft fire. Soviet Tehran’s anti-aircraft units Bandar Anzali. Just as a (un- 1941 by the 53rd Soviet Inde- bombers quickly returned and to fire upon any aircraft tak- identified type of) Soviet air- pendent Central Asia Army despite heavy Iranian anti-air- ing off from Qaleh Morqhi; craft flew over Rasht to drop (led by Lieutenant Sergei craft fire, destroyed a hangar armoured units were also en- propaganda leaflets, it came G. Trofimenko) crossing the (killing a number of crews) trusted with breaking into the under fire by the anti-aircraft Atrak River from Central Asia. and more importantly bombed base and clearing it of all reb- guns of the city’s 11th Division. Opposing the Soviet forces six of twenty-two Iranian air- els. Two air force pilots (cap- The Soviets rapidly responded were Major-General Mohtash- craft parked on the ground tains Vassiq and Shushtari) at by dispatching bombers over emi in command of six regi- (Stewart, 1988, pp.163). Hav- Qaleh Morqhi succeeded in the 11th Division’s barracks ments (two infantry and two ing quickly gained air superi- taking off with two Hawker killing 100 soldiers (Stewart, cavalry regiments stationed in ority, Trofimenko’s bombers Fury aircraft towards northern 1988, pp.179). This failed to Mashad, Khorasan’s provin- began to bomb Mohtashemi’s Iran (Babaie, 2005b, pp.68). break the resistance of the 11th cial capital, with another two strike forces at Mazduran, in- As the Hawker Furies flew out division before the arrival of Cavalry regiments stationed flicting heavy losses, obliging of Tehran’s airspace they were Soviet troops in Rasht. The outside Mashad) (Yekranigian, these to pull back to Mashad. fired upon by anti-aircraft guns soldiers of the 11th division left 2005, pp.377). The widely dis- Elements of the 9th and 10th di- which inflicted no damage. Rasht to disperse into Gilan’s persed 10th Division at Gor- visions attempted their best at Before escaping Tehran’s air- forests (some went as far as gan (commanded by Colonel resistance, but soon retreated space, the two aircraft strafed towards Tehran for their last Iranian armoured columns that stand at the capital. Ceasefire were about to storm the base. orders on that same day (Au- The aircraft arrived safely into gust 27) put an end to all mili- northern Iran where they may tary hostilities. have linked up with the afore- mentioned elements of Rasht’s c) Soviet air operations after 11rd division. Eighteen days the ceasefire. later (September 17, 1941) Despite strict orders for the two furies in northern all Iranian land, naval and air Iran scrambled to intercept a forces to cease combat, cer- flight package of five Soviet tain elements of the Iranian Polikarpov I-16 fighters flying air force and some land units along northern Iran’s Caspian (e.g. 11rd division from Rasht) Sea shoreline. The I-16s shot refused to adhere to the cease- down Vassiq’s Hawker Fury, fire. One notable case reported which crashed into the waters by Colonel Hedayat Behzadi of the Caspian; Shishtari’s air- (Personal interview on March craft was not destroyed during 15, 1998), is that of elements the air to air engagement but of Tabriz’s 3rd division having it ran out of fuel and crashed set up a single anti-aircraft nest into the northern Iranian for- that fired for weeks at pass- ests (Cooper & Bishop, 2000, ing Soviet aircraft after the pp.12-13). None of the Soviet ceasefire; until the position I-16s suffered any damage was finally taken out by So- during the engagement. Teh- viet troops. ran’s Qaleh Morqhi airbase Another case of resis- came under total Russian con- tance against Soviet aircraft trol by late May 1942 when its occurred when elements with- Iranian military aircraft were in the Iranian air force refused transferred to Isfahan (Babaie, to comply with the ceasefire 2005b, pp.445). orders on August 30. At issue to be continued
Fall 2015 27 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E
An Interview with DR. CYRUS AMIRMOKRI Attorney and Former Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions at the U.S. Treasury Department
Dr. Shahrokh Ahkami
Can you share memories of Hossein Tehrani, and Jalil Shahnaz, to had the opportunity to learn from him. your childhood in Iran? Badizadeh and others. Our parents also showed us the world, taking us with them You spent time also in Tehran I have many happy memories of my on practically every trip they took abroad. how did you feel about it? childhood in Iran in the late 1960s to late Persian culinary culture is magical, 1970s. I have particularly fond memo- and it certainly forms a part of my child- I spent most of my formative child- ries of my two wonderful grandmothers, hood memories. Which Iranian doesn’t hood years in Tehran. I remember every- Nezhat Asbaghi and Aliyeh Saba, who have a love for chelo kabab, loobiya polo, one in the older generations at that time gave me and my sister, Mina, everything fesenjoon, or ghormehsabzi? Some of my complaining that Tehran had become we ever wanted. Mina and I spent a lot fondest memories, though, were getting up noisy, crowded, and beset with traffic of time with them, doing things ranging early to go to the barbari or sangak store jams. They would recount the days when from playing cards to watching televi- and to watch the master bakers work the you could go hours without seeing a car sion – MoradBarghi, Talkh o Sheereen, dough into the special shapes and tex- in the streets. But I have fond memories Deleeran-e Tangestan, and Daeejan Na- tures that would yield bread that I could of the cosmopolitan, crowded Tehran. I poleon were favorites – to visiting various not resist eating on the walk back. And remember playing football, sometimes in parts of Tehran, whether it was a walk in then there was the fragrant fruit of Iran. I the streets, with kids from the neighbor- one of Tehran’s parks, a stroll on a sum- will never forget eating straight from the hood. We often used bricks to delineate mer evening on Elizabeth Boulevard, or persimmon and white mulberry trees in the goals. After hours of playing, we accompanying them as they went to the my grandmothers’ homes. Who can forget would go to local fruit juice and ice cream markets or to conduct business in central oranges from Shahsavar, pears from Na- stores for faloudeh and bastani (Persian Tehran, navigating the taxis, buses, and tanz, grapes from Quchan and Urumiyeh, ice cream). There was so much else that sidewalks in the process. sweet lemons from Shiraz?.I have only was special about Tehran: the parks; the My grandmothers had frequent and rarely experienced the fragrance and taste historic neighborhoods; institutions like regular visitors. Practically every evening, of Iran’s fruits elsewhere. Talar-e Roodaki and Bagh-e Ferdows, a neighbor, close friend or relative would which would host classical music concerts come to visit. Without fail, it seemed, my Do you have memories of featuring great Iranian artists like Farhad grandmothers would ask them to stay for your schooling? Meshkat, Heshmat and Farshad Sanjari, dinner. The informality and spontaneity of Loris Tcheknavorian, and Ali Forough; social life in Iran is something I remember I do indeed, and they are very happy football matches at Amjadiyyeh, and the dearly. memories of our school, Iranzamin, with passion behind Team Melli and great play- Our parents were very involved in our all the great, dedicated teachers from ers like Hejazi, Parvin, Gheleechkhani, upbringing, making sure that we were on Iran and those who came from abroad to Shirzadegan, Mustafa Arab, Ashtiyani, time for school in the morning, that we teach in Iran. Early on, the school was on Kashani, Andranik, Jabbari, Karo, Iran- properly had done our homework, and Seemetree Street, but we later moved to pak, and Rowshan; buying football gear at that we were engaged in sports and cul- a campus in Shahrak-e Gharb. Iranzamin Mahallati or Jeddikar; hanging out at the tural activities. They took us to all kind of was a world-class school that followed the bookstores across the street from Tehran events, from the opera, to the symphony, International Baccalaureate curriculum. I University; experiencing the carpet deal- to theater, and to football matches. Clas- am always grateful to Richard Irvine, the ers of Ferdowsi street with my parents; sical music was an important part of our headmaster, Hykondokht Sahakian, and or going to Shahreza confectionary for upbringing. My father played the violin. others who worked hard with him to create pastries, or to Andre or Moby Dick for He was a student of his uncle, Abolhasan the school and to make it thrive. So many a sandwich. You could find everything Saba, and was himself very accomplished; of the friendships I had at Iranzamin con- in Tehran. I will never forget his performances of tinue to this day. Of course, no statement Finally, I have fond memories of trav- zarde malije, the song from Gilan that about my education would be complete eling in Iran. I was fortunate to see the Saba had arranged for violin. Of course, I without mentioning my weekly piano les- great cities of Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, liked all kinds of music, particularly tradi- sons with the great composer, Emanuel Toos, and Rasht. Our most frequent desti- tional Persian music – from Saba, Banan, Melik Aslanian. I am very grateful to have nation was the spectacular green expanse
28 No. 79 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E much. But the Wayland community did China, Russia, Iran, and the Ottoman Em- everything it could to make us feel wel- pire ended up constitutions, parliaments, come, and so the adjustment became much and the ideas of limited government and easier to manage. Beaver Dam is an idyllic rule of law. So, my focus was Iran in the town in south central Wisconsin, and the late 19th century and the first few decades serenity and quiet that it offered was an of the 20th century. ideal setting for us to adjust to these major All in all, I have been very fortu- changes in our lives, particularly distance nate to receive a great education and to from our parents. have been taught by great minds, and I am forever indebted to all of them. You can Tell our readers about your never thank your teachers enough. Their education in the US. impact is far greater than what you read and discuss in class. I studied at Wayland Academy for one year, and then went to Cambridge, What made you decide to Massachusetts for four years, where I at- study law after a doctorate in of Mazandaran and the Caspian coast. I tended Harvard College. At Harvard, I history? still think the road from Karaj to Chaloos majored in biochemistry. But I was very is one of the most beautiful roads I have interested in politics and history from the In graduate school, I had become seen. Iran is a beautiful country. Unfortu- beginning. In addition to courses that we interested in understanding the constitu- nately, there is much of Iran that I haven’t had to take outside of our major as part tional experiments of the 19th and early seen and long to see, from the valleys of the core curriculum, I took most all of 20th centuries in Europe and Asia. I felt, of Kurdistan and Luristan, to the ancient my elective courses outside of my ma- however, that I was only appreciating settlements of Shushtar, Dezful, Bishapur, jor, in areas such as government, history, these complex phenomena through the and Firuzabad, to the waters of the Persian international relations, and philosophy. prism of a historian and that the view of Gulf and up to the cities of Kerman and During this time period, I also tried to a lawyer would add to my understand- Yazd, to my grandparents’ native lands continue to cultivate my interest in Iranian ing. In addition, if you recall, the ‘iron of Ardebil, Na’in, Kashan, and Mahabad. history and literature, both classical and curtain’ had just fallen and there was a contemporary. I was part of a small group lot of interesting activity taking place in What impact did permanently of about five or six Iranian students who the former communist countries, as those leaving Iran have on you and attended Harvard College, the Harvard societies began putting together consti- did you face challenges as an Kennedy School, and MIT who became tutions and new political systems. The immigrant? very friendly and would try to meet every University of Chicago Law School had week for a meal. We would typically talk established a center called the Center for I remember very well the day we left about Iranian history and literature. the Study of Constitutionalism in Eastern Tehran for the final time. We went to the In my final year of college, I decided Europe, and I was interested in getting bus station in northwest Tehran (just off of that I wanted to learn more about the his- involved in its activities, which consisted the autobahn that went to Karaj), boarded tory of the Middle East. So I applied to of studying the political, legal, and eco- a bus, which drove through Qazvin, Zan- attend graduate school in history at the nomic developments in Eastern Europe. jan, Tabriz, and Maku to finally arrive at University of Chicago. In the meantime, It was a chance to witness constitutional Bazargan. From Bazargan, we drove to while I was in college, my parents had debates and market reform as they were Erzurum.Turkey was under martial law in settled in Chicago, so going to Chicago taking place. It was fascinating to spend those days after a coup d’etat. We stayed was also a chance to regain some of the time with political figures and delegates a few days in Erzurum and then went to lost years with them. In graduate school, from Eastern Europe, and to witness in Istanbul for another couple of days. Even- my main fields of study were US dip- real time how they were grappling with tually, we went to Andalucia (to a small lomatic history, modern Middle Eastern significant challenges of transition from town near Malaga) to spend a school year history, and Islamic thought, though I one political and economic system to an- in Spain. A number Iranzamin teachers would attend courses in other areas, par- other. Many years later, looking back, you and students came to the same school in ticularly European intellectual history and see the very different journeys each of Spain, and so although it was difficult to philosophy. I ended up writing a disser- those societies has taken, so far with very be away from our parents, we were lucky tation on modern Iranian history, focus- different results. to be surrounded by many friends and ing on certain political and intellectual acquaintances, and to have the support currents centered on the constitutional Can you share your experi- system created by that small and wonder- revolution (mashrutiyat). I had become ences as an attorney? ful community. very interested in the question of how, in Mina and I finally came to the Unit- the beginning of the 20th Century, Asian I started practicing law in Chicago ed States in the summer of 1981, a few societies were trying to counter colonial at Skadden in 1995. I was assigned to the months after the end of the hostage crisis. power by building institutions designed litigation department and starting work- We enrolled at a boarding school called around political and legal ideas borrowed ing on cases involving both private and Wayland Academy, in Beaver Dam, Wis- from western constitutional traditions. For public law. For example, I was assigned consin. Again, we missed our parents very example, within a matter of a few years, to help with cases in which we had been
Fall 2015 29 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E retained to defend companies in actions was a vehicle toward achieving any par- Sometime in the late summer/early brought under the federal securities laws ticular goal, but because the existence of autumn of 2008, I was asked to help with and in cases in which we defended public the institution, in itself, was the goal. The the policy side of then-Senator Obama’s agencies in cases brought under the civil rule of law is essential to a well-ordered presidential campaign. That time period rights statutes. I was also assigned to help society, and it needs organizations that coincided with the beginning of the acute out on a couple of cases where we repre- are dedicated to preserving it regardless phase of the financial crisis. My work sented death row inmates on a pro bono of what the issue of the day happens to be. centered on issues relating to the finan- basis. These cases all gave me invaluable cial crisis. After the election victory, I experience and perspective. What actions did this orga- was asked to join the transition team. In 1998, I left Skadden to work as nization take to preserve the My responsibilities on the transition team a law clerk for Judge Bruce Selya of the rights of Iranian-Americans? were twofold: to help with a review of United States Court of Appeals for the one of the financial regulatory agencies First Circuit. The clerkship with Judge Se- The organization is now in its15th and then to help work on financial regula- lya lasted one year and is one of the most year and has matured remarkably. I am tory reform. A couple of months after my memorable years of my life. Although the very proud of what it has become, and the transition duties ended, I got a call from Court of Appeals sat principally in Boston, excellent work that has been done by tal- the chairman of the Commodity Futures Judge Selya’s chambers are in Providence, ented young attorneys who have become Trading Commission to join as a senior Rhode Island, so I lived in Providence involved after my tenure on the board of advisor. It was a unique time in the his- for the clerkship year. Judge Selya has directors many years ago. Most of the tory of the country. I was a private citizen not only been a major influence on my organization’s contributions have been who, particularly as a first generation professional and intellectual career, but educational, as the members of the orga- immigrant, wanted to give back to my my wife and I asked that he be the offici- nization have focused on making different adopted country. So, after some delib- ant at our wedding, and he honored us by stakeholders, including both individuals, eration with close friends and family, I marrying us. businesses, and government officials, decided to leave my law practice – where After the year with Judge Selya, I aware of their legal rights and obliga- I had the good fortune of practicing with returned to Skadden, but to its New York tions. The issues the organization works excellent lawyers and some of my very office. I spent almost a decade there work- on change with time. So, for example, close friends – and to join the Commodity ing on antitrust and securities cases, pri- in the early days, particularly after the Futures Trading Commission. marily representing clients in the financial tragedy of September 11, the organization I spent about a year and a half at the services industry. Without question, my was very active in trying to make the Ira- Commission. It was a very memorable experience at Skadden helped tremen- nian-American community aware of their time, not just because it coincided with dously to prepare me for performing my rights, particularly in the area of immigra- the passage of the Dodd-Frank legislation duties as a government official. tion law, which was rapidly changing. On and the work we did on that and on regu- one occasion, the Iranian-American Bar latory issues, generally, but also because What role did you play in Association did an investigative report of of the privilege of working with fantastic establishing the Iranian- allegedly illegal detentions of legal Ira- colleagues at the agency and because it American Bar Association? nian immigrants. The organization spent was all in the service of the public. There substantial resources trying to ascertain is no privilege greater than working for I was an early supporter of the idea of the facts and to submit a credible report the public and to try to make people’s forming the association. Around the year to the public and to the authorities. The lives better. 2000, a number of friends, including Ba- report was cited on a number of occa- bak Hoghooghi, Shahrokh Babayi, Houri sions, including by public officials, as a Talk about your Treasury Khalilian, and others had proposed the basis for making common sense changes confirmation process, includ- idea of putting together a bar association to immigration detention practices and ing the hearing, and what you for Iranian-Americans. I thought it was a facilities. The organization was also asked were feeling. good idea because it was a vehicle to bring to brief congressional staff on these im- together Iranian-Americans in the field of migration issues. I feel extremely privileged to have law and to give them a forum in which to During the time I was directly in- been nominated by President Obama to share experiences and ideas. It was also a volved with the Association, the most serve as Assistant Secretary for Financial platform to help them solve problems to- pressing matters were immigration is- Institutions at a sensitive time in the fi- gether, including issues of broad interest to sues. After my involvement, economic nancial history of the United States. I will the Iranian-American community. During sanctions and their impact on Iranian- always be grateful to Secretary Geithner those initial conversations around forming Americans became pressing. Therefore, for recommending me to the President, the organization, I thought about Alexis more recently, the organization naturally giving me the opportunity to work with de Tocqueville’s observations in his book has been active in its educational and legal him and with a superb senior team and Democracy in America about how private programs on this and other issues. career professionals at Treasury. Looking associations flourish in the United States back on the hearing, I think what I actu- and strengthen American democracy by How did you decide to leave ally stated at the hearing captures exactly encouraging civic action. So, one of the your practice of law and join what I was feeling. I was, and remain, reasons I believed it was important to sup- the government, and eventu- extremely grateful to my parents for their port the organization was not because it ally the US Treasury? incredible sacrifices and making every-
30 No. 79 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E thing possible. My parents were about my What made you decide to You are very kind to say that. Persian current age when they left Iran. I cannot leave the Treasury? Heritage was very kind to publish my imagine leaving my entire life behind to- work. My academic interests were sev- day and immigrating to another country I had served in government for over eral. First, I was interested in how Iran, to build a life from scratch and to support five years. I had enjoyed every moment and other Asian countries, interpreted, two children. What they and other Iranian of it and, in many ways, I could continue imported and then implemented western- parents did is nothing short of exceptional. that forever. But I left for two basic rea- based concepts of government, such as I was also grateful to live in the United sons, one philosophical and one personal. parliamentary government, separation of States, where I had been blessed with The philosophical reason begins powers, and individual rights. I tried to opportunity after opportunity, and with with a very important principle in our understand this phenomenon against the the goodwill of friends and colleagues government, and that is the separation of backdrop of existing political culture. at university and in my professional ca- the individual from the office. Whereas Iran’s political culture, for example, drew reer. It was very meaningful to me that an the office stays, the individual must from many traditions, including philoso- Iranian-American could be nominated for change. Individuals are only temporary phies of rule based on the “mirrors for a position requiring Senate confirmation. custodians of the office. That was the les- princes” literature, written by the likes of I was not the first Iranian-American to be son George Washington, America’s great- Nizam al-Mulk and the letter of Malik-e nominated or confirmed. But my situation est president, imparted to the American Ashtar. There are other important works, showed once again that Iranian-Americans Republic when, rather than attempting to of course, such as Akhlaq-e Nasseri by are both eager to help their adopted coun- become king, he decided that after two Nasir al-Din Tusi and Soluk al-Moluk by try and that the US is glad to receive their terms as president he would return to a Fazlollah ibn Ruzbehan.. help and insight. It is a strong sign that we quiet life on his farm as a private citizen A second, related, area of inter- have done well in our collective quest to and that it was time for someone else to est has been the centuries-long debate assimilate and to contribute to the country be president. That is the example we all around reconciling faith and reason, and that has welcomed us. should emulate. The principle that the the influence of Platonism and mysti- custodianship of office ends applies to cism in Iranian and Islamic culture. These Can you tell us about your every senior officeholder in the United are particularly important areas of Is- work at the CFTC and States government. So, it was only a lamic thought, where philosophers and Treasury? question of precise timing. theologians attempted a reconciliation In my case, the precise timing of of the Greek tradition with revelation, My work at both agencies centered on leaving Treasury was guided largely by and where Greek/Hellenic thought, par- designing financial reform and repairing personal considerations, particularly the ticularly that of Plotinus, has manifested the damage done by the financial crisis. At loss of my father. The essence of it was itself in different ways in the mystic and the CFTC, my focus was on the passage that I needed to spend more time with poetic tradition of Iran. I spent some time of the Dodd-Frank legislation and imple- my family after a relatively long, intense studying these issues with Professor Fa- menting the rules assigned to the CFTC. period of public service and law practice. zlur Rahman, as we read together works My role at Treasury included working with such as Shafa by Avicenna (Shafa), Taha- all of the financial regulatory agencies In the early years of this fot al-Falasefe by Ghazzali, and al-Asfar to help complete the process of financial magazine, you authored a al-Arba’a by Mulla Sadra. The influence reform. This work ranged from adopting number of articles about of some of these issues was reflected in measures to improve the safety and sound- Iranian history and culture, the 19th and 20th centuries, as well, with ness of banks, to implementing consumer please tell us about your past the phenomenon of Islamic modernism. protection rules, to reforming practices research in this area. A third area of interest was Persian in financial markets. I focused on a num- poetry and letters, and understanding ber of other things at Treasury, too. For them both as social commentary and phil- example, I was responsible for an office osophical statement. On the philosophical dedicated to protecting critical infrastruc- side, related to some of the philosophical ture in the financial services sector, which Your body is away from me works I mentioned previously, I was in- included protecting from natural and terested in understanding the Platonic and man-made disasters. Cybersecurity, for but there is a window open mystical influences in the works of poets example, fell into this category. I was also such as Attar and Mowlana. More gener- responsible for administering portfolios of from my heart to yours. ally, I studied both classical and contem- investments, loans and grants designed to porary works, ranging from the likes of help small business and distressed neigh- Bayhaqi, Sana’i, Mas’ud Sa’d Salman, borhoods. I remember visiting projects From this window, Khaqani, Ferdowsi, and Nizami to writ- ranging from supermarkets to urban farms ers and poets of the post-Mongol era such to schools to health clinics that our pro- like the moon as Khajeh Rashid al-Din, Juvayni, Hafez, grams had made possible. No experience and Sa’di, to poets of the sabk-e Hendi in government surpassed the feeling of I keep sending news secretly. and after such as Sa’ib and Qa’ani, and seeing that government programs can ac- finally to the likes of 20th century fig- tually help distressed communities begin Rumi ures such as Jamalzadeh, Hedayat, Bahar, to develop sustainable economic activity. Iraj, Naderpur, Forough, Golshiri, and
Fall 2015 31 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Akhavan-e Sales. Of course, these are only a few representatives of the great Persian literary tradition. Imperial Persian Tent in Cleveland Museum
What influence have your parents had on your life?
Words will undoubtedly fail me here. My parents have been a constant influence, both through their unequivo- cal, unconditional, and unfailing support, and through their judicious and construc- tive criticism. They have always taken a great interest in everything my sister and I have done. They have been involved without being overbearing, enlightening without being condescending, and they have given us enough latitude to experi- ment and to make mistakes. I can never thank them enough. The tent, a legacy of the 19th-century Qajar Dynasty, is inscribed with the With your background in name of Muhammad Shah, who ruled from 1834 to 1848 over a territory slightly culture, history, and politics, larger than present-day Iran that stretched into portions of present-day Turkmeni- do you have any thoughts or stan, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Art handlers at the Cleveland Museum of Art rigged advice for young Iranian- a temporary installation of the museum’s newly acquired 19th-century Persian Americans, or, more gener- imperial tent in the museum’s textiles storage area for study. ally, young Iranians in the The circular tent measures roughly 12 feet high and 13 feet in diameter, and diaspora? is made of wool embroidered with silk, flowers, vines and exotic birds. When viewed from inside the tent, the embroidered panels create the effect I think what I have to impart is prob- of being enveloped in a warm and cozy paradise garden. ably what they have heard from their own The tent’s entire roof of faded red cloth is intact, and it has retained seven of parents, friends, and elders. You should the 14 side panels that once served as a circumferential wall. It features a flounced take their studies seriously, but also ap- rim with characteristic diagonal stripes of color. preciate the people and the world around you. School is a lot, but not everything. Also we should not take ourselves too seriously. We are humans and, therefore, highly imperfect. Others have a lot to of- fer and we should listen. You should also pursue what you are passionate about. You have a chance at excelling in an area where you have passion; but if you are not passionate about your work, it is un- likely that you will excel at it. Another important thing is to find ways of giving back to the community. This can occur in many different ways, beginning with working with local chari- ties, to civic organizations or local gov- ernment, to national government. But you don’t have to be the President of the United States to make a positive dif- ference. The point is to do something to make other people’s lives better, and that is a responsibility that attaches to all of us who have been lucky enough to do well, and it can be done in many legitimate ways. Finally, make sure to find time to spend with loved ones and family. You will not get a second chance to do so.
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