Persian Heri­tage

Persian Heritage Vol. 21, No. 82 Summer 2016 www.persian-heritage.com Persian Heritage, Inc. FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK 5 110 Passaic Avenue LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 7 Passaic, NJ 07055 E-mail: [email protected] NEWS Telephone: (973) 471-4283 Niakan Among the Time 100 Pioneers 8 Fax: 973 471 8534 Three Iranian Projects Competing for Aga Khan Award 9 EDITOR Iran’s Pasargad Wants to Become ‘Global Bank’ 10 SHAHROKH AHKAMI In Memory of Houman Younessi 11

EDITORIAL BOARD COMMENTARY Dr. Mehdi Abusaidi, Shirin Ahkami Raiszadeh, Dr. Mahvash Alavi Naini, Secret Sykes-Picot Agreement 13 Mohammad Bagher Alavi, Dr. Talat Influence of Iranian Spiritual Traditions in Christianity 15 Bassari, Mohammad H. Hakami, Ardeshir Lotfalian, K. B. Navi, Dr. THE ARTS & CULTURE Kamshad Raiszadeh, Farhang A. Sadeghpour, Mohammad K. Sadigh, REVIEWS 16 M. A. Dowlatshahi. Alone in Iran (Silvia Lawerence) 17 MANAGING EDITOR HALLEH NIA Lee, Peck and “to Kill a Mockingbird (B. Maghsoudlou) 18

ADVERTISING Arian Moayed (Wikipedia) 19 HALLEH NIA About the Persian Music (Michael McClain) 20

* The contents of the articles and ad­ver­ Ashraf Pahlavi, Portrait of a Persian Princess 23 tisements in this journal, with the exception­ of the edi­torial, are the sole works of each (Cyrus Kadivar) in­di­vidual writers and contributors. This maga­ zine does not have any confirmed knowledge An Introduction to Perspolis 25 as to the truth and ve­racity of these articles. all contributors agree to hold harmless and Achaemenid Gardens (Mehrdad Fakour) 26 indemnify Persian Heritage­ (Mirass-e Iran), An Overview of the Military Activities 27 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 Mehran Sadrosadat 30 are the sole opinions of the writers and not the journal. No article or picture­ submitted will be (Mohammad Moienfar) returned to the writer or contributor. All articles submitted in English­ must be typed. Meet Maziar Farivar 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

4 No. 82 FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

After thinking about a topic for my editorial I decided to in Iran and other activists have been incarcerated. Narges was comment on the Iran Nuclear deal. To date, Iran and Iranians sentenced to 3 prison sentences 5 years, one year and 10 years have not yet seen the commitments made by the signatories totaling 16 years after being accused of supporting ISIS and of the deal. The 150 billion dollars of Iran’s assets owed are representing a few Sunni clients. The UN and other activist still not returned and it is getting more and more unlikely groups were distraught over this news and protested against that it will ever reach Iran. The United States Federal Court her fate to no avail. Narges has refused to apologize for her has already marked 2 billion of it to be given to the victims actions and her slogan remains, “The proposal of the hijab of the terrorist attack of the US military base in Lebanon, in and purity is a sign of violence towards women!” Now the the 80’s. And an additional 10-11 billion has been awarded government of Iran has hired over 5,000 plain clothes police to the victims of 9-11 in a lawsuit where Iran was unjustly to walk the streets to control infractions by women to the named. This coupled with the constant campaign to associate hijab, dress code and makeup. BUT women over the past four Iran and Iranians with terrorism in the media and now in the post revolution decades have bravely fought and have gained present presidential campaigns is demoralizing to the Iranian rights academically, socially, politically and economically. people and their hopes of rejoining the world they deserve are Women and their remarkable achievements will not fold to becoming, once again, a distant dream. this group of police. They will continue to fight for their rights There is a new movie just released, Jimmy Vestvood- and make sacrifices to defend their positions. With Iran as a American Hero (Note the V is used instead of the W because nation and its people facing very serious difficulties it seems of our inability to pronounce a W), by Maz Jobrani (an Iranian- ridiculous that the government has gone to such great lengths American comedian). The subject addressed in the movie to control the Hijab! is the constant scrutiny Iran and Iranians face by the West, WITH THE SAD NEWS OF Narges’s plight fresh in my who are always looking for any excuse to use military action mind, another news event occurred involving Faezeh Rafsan- against Iran or impose severe sanctions. Because of the con- jani (daughter of one of the former leaders of the revolution stant negative rhetoric used in discussing Iran and Iranians in and former president of Iran, Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani.) The political campaigns and in the press, Iran and its people are event involved Faezeh’s visiting a Baha’i woman, Fariba Ka- perceived as terrorists and monsters, (Yet I find it interesting mal Abadi. The two met in prison while sharing a prison cell that Iran is continuously discussed as a prime vacation des- at the horrifying Evin Prison in Tehran. Fariba had received, tination, in the NY Times and other news mediums. Which is after serving eight years of her sentence, a holiday break to the real Iran, the one to fear or the one suggested as a tourist visit her family in Shiraz. Faezeh went to Shiraz to visit with spot?) Of course the Iranian government officials have done her friend. Her visit with Fariba made headline news and nothing to help Iran’s world image, with their lack of human began a campaign against Mr. Rafsanjani, who was rumored rights for its citizens. In the end, the victims are the people to have the intentions to regain his position as head of the of Iran; sadly the dark cloud they thought would pass, seems Khobragan Majles (Assembly of Experts). The attacks against to be returning and with a greater vengeance. him were so severe that even Mr. Sadegh Larijani (head of I cannot even begin to count the number of times, through the Supreme Court stated, “The people who are relatives of my editorial and other articles, I have pleaded to world pow- leaders in the government and clergy should be more care- ers and people to separate the government of Iran from its ful about breaking rules. They should know that this type of citizens. When the West speaks against North Korea, Cuba behavior will be punished harshly.” As a writer in the Iran and Russia it is the leaders Kim Jung-un, Castro and Putin press said, “It is very interesting that when former president who are attacked. THEIR CITIZENS REMAIN VICTIMS. Ahmadinejad brought tapes from Mr. Larijani’s brother, which This is not the case with Iran! Not only are the Iranian people demanded favors from the hanging Judge Mortazavi, Chief NOT victims, because of their religion Shiite Islam, they are Justice Larijani chose silence.” all considered to be potential terrorists. Like the innocent The meeting between Fariba and Faezeh reminded me of people of Cuba, Russia and North Korea, so are the people an event in my life; one that played an important role in mold- of Iran VICTIMS of their rulers. ing me as a person. An event that taught me not to consider Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist and attorney race, religion or political views before becoming a friend.

Summer 2016 5 F R O M T H E E D I T O R ’ S D E S K This event taught me to judge a person on character not on lesson. It has allowed me to live, work, share friendships the religion they practice or political party they support. This and publish Persian Heritage without any bias towards those event was rekindled by a phone call I received in my office who share a different political view or practice another faith. a few weeks ago. My cell phone rang as I was about to see a Persian Heritage’s Editorial Board is comprised of Baha’is, patient. Excusing myself I answered. On the other end I heard Christians, Jews, Muslims, Zoroastrians, Leftists, Socialists, a warm, but excited voice. After identifying himself by name Republicans, Democrats etc. Isn’t it sad that 60 years ago in he asked me if I knew who he was. “Yes,” I replied! You were Quchan and Iran we lived together despite our differences and my eighth grade teacher and principal, in Quchan. Although its citizens are threatened with arrests for visiting a friend of a this was over sixty years ago my memories of his face were different faith or supporting a different political view. I hope perfectly clear. I asked how he found me after all this time and that the event between Faezeh and Fariba a Muslim and Baha’i he stated that it was through Persian Heritage magazine. As friend’s innocent visit, does not lead to an additional prison we continued our conversation my excitement grew and we term for Fariba. I find it interesting that Fariba and Faezeh began to visit memories of days gone by. I should mention that with different faiths were allowed to share the same cell in sixty years ago Quchan, at that time, was a small city without prison but now outside of prison the friendship of a Baha’i a library or media resources. I asked him if he remembered and a Muslim has produced such a scandal. giving me Dale Carnegie reading materials which I assured In listening to the rhetoric of today’s US presidential him was essential to my learning to speak and communicate. hopefuls, I cannot help but wonder if our leadership is much By the softness in his voice “I do remember,” I could tell there different from Iran’s. They speak the same words, but to a was a smile on his face. I also asked him if he remembered the different beat. Their campaigns, in actuality, defy us to think lectures and speeches we did together and if he remembered independently. These rhetorical platforms are meant to divide my friend who moved to Tehran to continue his education. us. The result will be leadership, not elected from our hearts Yes, he remembered. And dear teacher, “Do you remember and souls, but rather through their power of manipulation and my Baha’i friend and classmate. I think he remembered where division. With their constant assaults against Iranians, espe- I was going with this question and again softly chuckled. You cially against Muslims and their possible ability to limit their see my teacher gave my friend a 100 or A+ and gave me a 99 religious rights, is an attacks against the very principals of our or A-. Back then and feeling strongly about what I thought was country’s foundation. While I know we have treasured free- an unfair decision he told me the following and it was one of doms, I am frightened that these freedoms are being chipped my greatest life lessons. “Shahrokh “your Baha’i friend does away by constant propaganda, subtle division and rhetoric. not need to know the scriptures of the Koran, he is Baha’i, but In closing I will continue to hope for peace and prosperity you as a Muslim must know the scripture by heart. The grade I for Iranian people and people of the world. I hope that those gave him was based out of respect for your friendship and his who read this editorial apply the lesson I learned from my knowledge of YOUR religion.” His words captured me and teacher over 60 years ago, in the tiny town of Quchan, Iran. molded me. Our conversation continued and I brought to his We are meant to be different, BUT OUR DIFFERENCES attention his encouragement for me to start a school newspa- SHOULD NOT DIVIDE! per. He was happy to hear that I believed his encouragement was the foundation of my interest in journalism and probably the foundation of my starting Persian Heritage magazine. Realizing how much time had passed he told me to return to my work. I didn’t want to hang up fearing I may not ever talk to him again. Eventually we said our goodbyes. When I returned to my work I reflected on our conversation. I thought it amazing that so many years ago in a small city like Quchan everyone shared a mutual respect. Quchan was made up of Christians, Jews, Muslims and Bahia’s. We worked, lived and played together without consideration of our dif- ferences in religion or politics. We had heated religious and SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: political discussions and accepted each other’s political views whether they were Leftists, Royalists, Liberals etc... Once Contact our the discussions were over relations normalized and friend- alifornia based dvertising gent ships remained, UNTIL. UNTIL the government stepped in C A A arresting, jailing and unfortunately killing those who did not for your ads. advocate the leaders’ views. Yes, over 60 years have passed since I left Quchan and 973 471 4283 to this day I remain influenced by my teacher’s valuable

6 No. 82 L E T T E R S T O E D I T O R YOU MAKE IRAN TO BE we lived it. KNOWN Maboud Ansari AN EXPLANATION OF I received the Spring 2016 edition THE SPELLING AND of Persian Heritage.... I am planning to IN MY FATHER’S LIBRARY TRANSLITERATION OF take it to Iranian Cultural Society of Palm Dear Mr. Ahkami, Editor of the Persian THE WORD “NOEROOZ” Beach, on their Molana monthly meet- Heritage ings. I will read the Rumi article from the Today, in my Dad’s Library I came The word NoeRooz is a magazine, as my part. across a few issues of your publication. combination of two words: Noe, I am sure you already have many sub- One of them is from Norouz 1387 and which sounds like Moe and means scribers from Palm Beach and Florida, but inside I recognized my father’s handwrit- “new – it is also the etymon of the please do not hesitate to ask me, if I can ing and a correction he had made to a “do same word in European languages do something more for making Persian beyti”. Coming May, it will be eight years Heritage known in this part of the country. that my dad has passed away, and his last including French (nouveau-nou- Thank you for being you, in making Iran book (Nimrokh Shakhsiati Hafez) was velle), English (new), Italian (nu- and Iranians known around the world. I finally published 2 years after. ovo-nuova) and Spanish (nuevo- love Iranian Heritage! Deletan shad o labetan khandan nueva); and the vowel of the second Eran A. Far Tannaz Shapurian word Rooz, sounds like the vowels in words such as noon, noose, and STOP STRETCH ADMIRATION ooze. Rooz means “day” and it AND THANK YOU Finally I got a chance to read your also has a common etymon with Dear Editor: Miras! Every time, more than before, In your spring issue I came across I admire your dedication and efforts in the word “jour” in French. an article or campaign started by Shi- keeping our heritage alive. Although the word is a combi- rin Raiszadeh regarding posture. I was Baa mehr, va doroud nation of two words, it has found a shocked and amazed to actually see some- solid unique meaning so it is more one write about this very important con- OHHHH BOYYY appropriate not to separate the two cept. More importantly I am glad that they Dear Editor: original words by a hyphen, as the are implementing a program for achieve- I may be wrong in my thinking, but combination conveys only one ment. Our children need to know the im- really does it matter how we spell the word word with one meaning. However, portance of a straight back. I can remem- for Persian New Year? ber how less tired I was and how much I am afraid that the bickering amongst to maintain the origins of the two more I learned after the teacher tapped the masses will result in no Persian New primary words, it would be ap- our backs in an effort to make us sit up. Year at all. Seriously we need to talk about propriate to distinguish each by a I wish this group lots of success. more important issues, like maybe im- capital letter in the beginning of SIK, NJ migration! each word. IA If the word were to be spelled SO PROUD “Nowruz”, an English reader might TOURAJ PARANG My husband and I would like to read it as “now” in English, which congratulate you ALL for the magnifi- Dear Editor: cent work on publishing Persian Heritage. Your interview with Touaj was sim- would be an incorrect pronuncia- We are so proud of our heritage and of ply beautiful. The honesty of his convic- tion of the word in Persian. The your work. tions certainly showed in his answers. vowel in the second word “ruz” Thank you, Please continue interviews as they are just might also be incorrectly pro- Dr. Ali and Minou Arbab so informative and also a great learning nounced as “run” is pronounced. experience. Other versions of the spelling of LATE THANKS NH “Noe Rooz” also do not properly I am terribly sorry for the slow re- aid the non-Persian-speaking read- sponse. Thanks for Persian Heritage. It HONORED AND HUMBLED was so kind of you to forward it. I have I am honored and humbled to have er to properly pronounce the word already started reading it. In reading your been interviewed by you Dr. Ahkami and in Persian. They include: Nowrooz, Editorial, I particularly, liked your vivid to share some of my journey with your Nawruz, Narooz, Newroz, Newruz, conversation with your Uncle. I think it readers! Nawroz, Noruz, Novruz, Nau- was a very telling observation of Iran as Touraj Parang roz, Navroz, Naw-Ruz, Nowroj, Navroj, Nevruz, Neyruz, Navruz, Navrez, Nooruz, Nauryz, Now- Subscribe Today! rouz. Of all these versions, only “NoeRooz” conveys the classical Persian pronunciation of the word Persian Heritage 973.471.4283 to the non-Persian-speaking reader. Mahvash Amir-Mokri

Summer 2016 7 N E W S KATHY NIAKAN ing to offer creative solutions to our partners, we expect Food & AMONG THE TIME 100 PIONEERS Wine to flourish and continue its amazing success and growth.” By: Jennifer Doudna “Nilou lives and breathes the Food & Wine lifestyle,” said Pearlstine. “She is incredibly well connected with chefs, restau- rateurs and leaders throughout the culinary and travel worlds, and her passion for food and travel shines through in absolutely everything she does.” Born in Iran and raised in Paris and New York, Motamed lives in Brooklyn with her husband. She is a graduate of Bing- hamton University, attended the Sorbonne in Paris and is fluent in four languages.

IRANIAN DENTIST EXAMINES PEOPLE ON THE STREET

When scientists mapped the human genome in 2001, it marked the start of a new scientific era. Now, the real excite- ment—and power—in genetics lies in manipulating the genome to alter DNA so we can prevent diseases and improve human health. That’s what Kathy Niakan is doing. She’s begun to apply the technique for editing the genome that Emmanuelle Char- pentier and I developed, called CRISPR, to study the effects of genes in human development. Niakan’s work will answer previously unanswerable questions about the earliest stages of human reproduction—what makes a healthy embryo, what factors contribute to infertility and what goes wrong when pregnancies Tehran Times don’t progress as planned. Her experiments are setting the stage TEHRAN - Shafi Ja’fari is a young dentist who for a future in which our DNA represents not just our destiny but visited and examined people around Enqelab square, opportunity as well, a chance to better the human condition—as central Tehran, for three hours on Thursday, ISNA news long as we tread carefully. agency reported. What Ja’fari, a Tehran University – Doudna is a biochemist at the University of California, Berke- graduate, did, was a symbolic act of criticism centered ley, and co-inventor of CRISPR on the widespread ignorance of prevention. Ja’fari explained that “Iranian people often over- NILOU MOTAMED NAMED AS EDITOR look the importance of prevention and regular checkup, Nilou Motamed has been so I took my unit to the street to encourage the public named the Editor of Time Inc.’s (NYSE:TIME) Food & Wine, it was to take dental problems serious.” announced by Norman Pearlstine, “I usually visit 40 to 50 patients per day and I Chief Content Officer, Time Inc., know from experience that neither the patients nor the and Evelyn Webster, Executive Vice doctors take prevention into account,” he lamented. President, Time Inc. Ignoring dental problems at the early stages would Motamed will oversee the edi- intensify the disease as well as the expenses, Ja’fari torial operations and content of one warned, adding, periodical checkups can both prevent of the most influential media brands serious problems and cut the expenses. in the culinary world. Founded in “I chose Enqelab square so I could visit people of 1978, Food & Wine reaches an audi- different classes and I got a great feedback,” he added. ence of more than 12 million across print, digital, video, books, clubs and newsletters. He expressed hope that insurance companies and Motamed is a globally recognized food, travel and lifestyle healthcare providers strive to reconcile people with authority who has served as Editor-in-Chief of Epicurious, Di- the concept of prevention particularly in the field of rector of Inspiration at Conrad Hotels & Resorts and Features dental care. Director & Senior Correspondent for Travel + Leisure. In addition to being a familiar personality on morning TV, she has served as the host of several television series. She begins March 14. Advertise your business in: “We’re delighted to bring Nilou’s dynamic energy and mod- ern editorial sensibility to Time Inc.,” said Webster. “With her Persian Heritage impeccable taste, deep understanding of digital, video and televi- sion and appreciation for working closely with sales and market- 973 471 4283

8 No. 82 N E W S THREE IRANIAN PROJECTS COMPETING FOR IRAN TO BECOME ALZHEIMER’S AGA KHAN AWARD FOR ARCHITECTURE DISEASE Source: Tehran Times TREATMENT HUB

This combination photo shows the Tabiat Pedestrian Bridge (L), the Manouchehri House (C) and the 40 Knots House. An award winning scien- Three Iranian projects establishments, a contempo- jdabadi and Alireza Mashhadi- tist says Iran will become an were shortlisted with 16 other rary art gallery, a handicraft Mirza. international hub for Alzheim- works from around the world shop and a subterranean movie A jury composed of Suad er’s disease treatment over the for the Aga Khan Award for house. Amiry from Palestine, Emre next six years. Architecture worth $1 mil- The Tabiat Pedestrian Arolat from Turkey, Akeel Postdoctoral Researcher lion. The projects are the Ma- Bridge is a huge infrastructure Bilgrami from the U.S., Luis at Harvard Medical School and nouchehri House in the central that connects two parks sepa- Fernandez-Galiano from winner of the US Alzheimer’s Iranian city of Kashan, the Ta- rated by a highway in northern Spain, Hameed Haroon from Institute’s research grant, Kou- biat Pedestrian Bridge and the Tehran. The bridge has become Pakistan, Lesley Lokko from rosh Shahpasand made the re- 40 Knots House, both located a popular urban space since it South Africa, Mohsen Mosta- marks during an interview with in Tehran. was completed in 2014. favi from England, Dominique Mehr News Agency. The Manouchehri House The 270-meter-long Perrault from France and Hos- The Iranian scientist, is a restored 19th century mer- curved bridge was designed by sein Rezai from Singaporenine who recently became a facul- chant home, which has been Leila Araqian and was imple- will announce the winners dur- ty member of Iran’s acclaimed converted into a boutique ho- mented by Nosazi Abbasabad ing an award ceremony, which Royan institute, won the award tel and textile center by Akbar Co. will be held this autumn in Ge- for his extensive research on Helli. The house belonged to The 40 Knots House is a neva, Switzerland. the Alzheimer’s. Saba Manouchehri Kashani. five-storey building that has Projects from Azerbaijan, Alzheimer’s is a progres- The house also contains been nominated for the award Bangladesh, China, Denmark, sive disease that has a negative textile workshops for brocade, for its facade constructed by Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mo- effect on memory and other silk, cotton and velvet weav- bricks based on a Persian car- rocco, Nigeria, Qatar, Senegal important cognitive functions. ing. In addition, it is home to pet design. The structure has and Spain have been short- Currently there is no cure for one of the city’s finest dining been designed by Habibeh Ma- listed for the award. a disease but medications and management strategies are HISTORIC IRANIAN VILLAGE OF ABYANEH STRAINED used to temporarily alleviate BY INFLUX OF TOURISTS its symptoms. Radio Zamaneh Based on significant find- Officials of the historic ings of his research, Shahpas- village of Abyaneh say they and expressed hope that trial are faced with a tsunami of and clinical research to immu- tourists. Mohammad Adeli nize people will yield positive told ISNA that the village results. faces a tsunami of tourists especially on weekends and village’s infrastructure. holidays. He added that they have “Last Thursday and Fri- been forced to close some of day, 40,000 tourists arrived the historic sites when tour- at this historic village”, Adeli ists arrive in large numbers said. to prevent damage to the sites. He maintained that the Abyaneh is located in high number of tourists has central Isfahan on the slopes put serious pressure on the of Mount Caracas.

Summer 2016 9 N E W S IRAN’S PASARGAD WANTS John Kerry for exhorting Eu- DROP IN IRAN’S ropean banks to do business FERTILITY RATE TO BECOME ‘GLOBAL BANK’ with Iran while Washington FRUSTRATES continues to restrict American OFFICIAL financial firms from doing the POLICY GOAL same. Radio Zamaneh Writing in the Wall Street The head of Iran’s census Journal, HSBC’s Chief Legal department has announced that Officer Stuart Levey said the despite the overhaul of popula- US government is taking a tion-control policies, the fertil- “very odd position” on trade ity rate in the country is on the with Iran. “On the one hand, decline. The report adds that Washington is continuing to gains of 4.25 percent in earlier prohibit American banks and years have suddenly declined companies from doing Iran- to only 2.3 percent in the past related business ... on the other year. He added that Qom, Yazd hand, Mr Kerry wants non-US Hormozgan and Hamedan banks to do business with Iran have the highest fertility rates, without a US repudiation of ranging from 4.8 to 5.6, and Group, which owns Iran’s est economy. Since the lifting its prior statements about the Gilan, Lorestan, Kermanshah second largest bank, is con- of sanctions in January, Iran’s associated financial-crime and Eastern Azeybaijan have sidering selling its shares in stock market has rallied 30% risks,” he said. the lowest, reaching as low as energy entities in a sign of im- as foreign companies and in- In 2014, French bank negative .2 to negative 3.4. In proving business environment. vestors have been scoping the BNP Paribas was fined more recent years, Iran’s Supreme Iranian banks made in- market of 80 million people than $8.9 billion for breach- Leader has withdrawn his ear- roads into a number of non- for opportunities. ing US sanctions on Iran. Stan- lier recommendation to control banking fields, such as real Meanwhile, Iran’s recon- dard Chartered was also fined the population and called for estates, industry and energy nection to the global financial nearly $1 billion for trading policies to encourage child- when the most stringent sanc- system has buoyed the coun- with Iran. bearing. tions in 2012 shriveled the try’s banks which mostly suf- economy. With those sanctions fered under the sanctions. lifted, CEO of Pasargad Bank Qassemi said Pasargad Majid Qassemi said some of wanted to turn into a “global their companies will be of- bank” and Europe was a pri- fered for sale on the over-the- ority, where the lender sought counter securities market Fara to open branches in the UK, Bourse. France, Switzerland and Spain. The initial public offering The bank, he said, is con- (IPO) can take place in the cur- sidering initiating joint ven- rent Iranian year which ends in tures with local lenders and March 2017 or the next Iranian building a profile overseas year and is expected to raise through acquisitions. “We’ll about $330 million, local me- focus on whichever country dia quoted him as saying. can answer our needs,” he was One the of companies set quoted as saying. for IPO is Pasargad Energy Pasargad is one of the Development Co. (PEDC) 19 privately-owned banks in which is involved in oil and Iran. According to Qassemi, gas exploration as well as re- the lender increased assets by fining. According to Qassemi, 14% in 2015 to 505 trillion ri- PEDC is working on approxi- als ($16.6 billion). mately $12 billion of energy The international bank- projects, including construc- ing industry, however, remains tion of a $2.2 billion gas line wary of resuming normal busi- to neighboring Iraq. ness with Iran. Iran is slowly but surely Major international banks opening to international busi- fear falling foul of American ness, with many investors cast- regulations or losing crucial ing off their fears about the permits to operate in the US. consequences of trade with London-based HSBC the Middle East’s second larg- slammed US Secretary of State

10 No. 82 N E W S

In Loving Memory of the Late PROFESSOR HOUMAN YOUNESSI Fariba and Davood N. Rahni New York Spring 2016

O’Sa’adia, our righteously just Houman loved his motherland Iran and his people life (again, he was not a typical Persian, will eternally be remembered…. anywhere, and contributed substantively having acquired depth in one discipline It’s others who did not care for humanity, toward the recognition of our homeland’s and familiarity with the lingo and jar- that are trusted to oblivion bin history, nature, people, and especially his gon on the surface of a few dozen other Back in the 1990’s a small group of proud advocacy before non-Iranians. subjects.) I soon learned to stop claim- alike minded Iranian-Americans plural- Since he had spent most his life since ing super authority in any subject under ized a common vision to found an organi- teen-ager time outside Iran, however, his discussion, and instead to listen mostly zation with the mission of advocating for communicative psyche was a reformed to what he shared while refraining from justice, equality, and equal opportunity synergism between the orient’s and the interrupting him. I came around to fully for Iranian-Americans and to bring about occident’s approach to life. appreciate not only his depth but breadth well-earned recognition in the U.S. for In retrospect, Houman was compas- of knowledge in a dozen or more diverse our Community and our ancestral heritage sionately genuine, nonetheless, candid and disciplines, equivalent to a dozen Ph.D. in Iran. There was among a few others with direct expressions. Many of us then, degrees earned honoris causa. His lifelong Ala the orthopedic surgeon, Kamyar the when dealing with other Persian old tim- commitment to universal humanism with pediatrician, Afshin and Babak the civil ers, were still resorting subconsciously humility and social justice, and as tackled rights attorneys, Fariba and myself the to the traditional pleasantries and com- through his philanthropy, civic activism, university educators, Mojgan and Susan pliments (Ta’arof) that we had carried altruism, and volunteerism will remain un- the corporate leaders, and then the one and from back home; however, Houman was rivaled forever. His passion for teaching, only Professor Houman Younessi! unique, and hence, he was immediately sharing and imparting good onto others Very soon, PERSIAN WATCH CAT recognized for his most effective “no around him and others far away through (as in the American Watch Dog!), aka the nonsense”model to emulate by his stu- correspondence, was simply contagious. Iranian-American Anti-Discrimination dents, peers and friends. He avoided the Alas, Professor Houman Younessi, 52, Council, was born with its by-laws, web- typical focus on the messenger, as most passed away in Hartford, CT on Thursday, site, diverse nationwide membership from of us did; instead, he evaluated the mes- March 24, 2016, after a courageous battle all walks of life, regional chapters, etc. sage shared by anyone, and expressed his with cancer. He was born in Tehran on PWC remained active for ten years pub- business-like or scholarly opinion, while May 28, 1963, the son of Parviz and Farah lishing numerous articles and Op-Eds on avoiding any personal attacks, smears or Younessi. He is survived by his loving the multifaceted contributions of Iranians slander. Simply because his virtual ora- wife, Sheyda, son, Daniel (Zhubin), moth- especially those in the diaspora, conferred tion or advice was not wrapped around er, Farah, and brother, Dr. James Younessi. with elected officials and policy makers, with the typical Persian flowery language, A true Renaissance man, a professor, an in- ran successful petitions to ensure our cul- many among us initially found it a bit ternational authority on informatics, com- ture and community here were objectively too harsh, but ultimately everyone came puter science, IT cyber security, and func- showcased in the mainstream media, and around to appreciate his style. It was not, tional genomics, and the prolific author took on a few major corporate, media and therefore, surprising to witness his coura- of several books and numerous scientific universities to exert justice in favor of geous resolve in self-reliance, resilience, articles, and as an Alborzi alumnus, Hou- Iranian plaintiffs. The PWC’s activities hope, and perseverance, envied by us all, man’s academic career spanned research, were later absorbed by then the newly which later became the impetus for his teaching, service, and [dean] leadership founded NIAC and PAAIA. In the daily protracted health battle for life. stints at Swinburne University of Technol- dozen email exchanges among the PWC My family was honored to get to ogy (Australia), RPI (CT), UCONN (CT) Board, Houman spoke or wrote very little know Houman’s family when we regularly and Jackson Laboratory (CT). He was also and was as a result initially misconstrued exchanged visits at the two ends of the 87 an avid photographer, nature lover, an ac- as being condescending or ambivalent; mile corridor of I-84; we spent precious complished poet, and held a vast knowl- however, when he did, he spoke with vol- hours talking about a wide array of sub- edge of world and Persian history and ume, clarity, wit, reason, rationale, logic, jects: life, family, careers, justice, politics, aesthetics. Although he did not travel to empathy, compassion, and decisiveness. current affairs, elections, international per- his motherland for four decades, he was What was most strikingly unique about spectives, arts, history, as well as advances in tune in his heart and mind with every Houman, coming across as un-Persian to in science and technology of course while aspect of Iran, past, present and future. We most initially, was his direct communica- sipping Persian cardamom tea or eat his often reminisced about many historical tion style and [im-personable] demeanor. favorite Hamedani Aash. He was an avid sites and events, especially Hamedan his Don’t get me wrong, Houman forever reader and deep thinker throughout his ancestral place of origin, a city in existence

Summer 2016 11 N E W S for at least five millennia, and hovered sweet and fruitful life. enlightenment to his peers and community over by the majestic Alvand Mountain. Having been enlightened by Hou- to continue doing what’s good in life. In fact, one of the attributes that brought us man’s positive energy, I am confident of In Houman’s memory, please review close from the outset, was our childhood. his liberated energy now spreading out in and share the essay on Bernie Sanders at He grew up in Pole Rumi (the Roman the Universe! Then again, knowing him “Believe in Bernie and vote for Sanders”. Bridge) in north Tehran where I was born rather well, however, I also trust his posi- As painful melancholy as the passing of in the nearby Dezashib and grew up in tive energy would overcome his random our beloved Houman was, he is among Evin but I went to high school close to distributions and cluster now and again the half dozen friends my age we have where he was later raised. Although we to hover over his special places on earth lost back to mother nature of the past few had enjoyed the fruits (chaghaleh badoom and across the four continents- over his years alone. For those of us in our late and gojeh, mulberries, pink and sour cher- childhood home in Shemiran, his parental teens and early 20’s, having emigrated ries, apples and pears, figs, medlars, per- residence in southern Australia, his board- from Iran to diaspora, this juncture seems simmons, pomegranates and quince) of the ing school and last residence in Connecti- to be the begging of the end for our earthly same orchards in Moshar Garden, or ate cut, as well as vacationing over Alvand journey and return to energy reservoir of the same ice-cream or paloodeh and then and Damavand Mountains with detours the university. sat Cinema Astara in two timeframes a to Persepolis, and Pasargadae the resting Epitomizing, if I were to dare taking few years apart, we could talk about these place of the Cyrus the Great of the Ach- the liberty of characterizing our beloved experiences as if we had been together in aemenid Empire in Shiraz of Iran. Houman’s approach to life concisely, I spirit! Alas, the only regret I yearn with His memorial to celebrate Houman’s cannot resort to anything but the short melancholy for life is why I did not spend beautiful life and legacies, held in a famous poem by Sa’adi, the 13th century much more quality time with Houman majestic reception hall on April 24, and Persian Poet as follows: when I really could. Then again, whenever attended by a few hundred mostly Ameri- All Humans are members of one frame I face a social or scientific conundrum, I can colleagues and friends from across since all, at first from the same essence ask myself what would Houman do, and the high seas and five continents, was ex- came. I simply follow his directives platoni- tended to more than five hours. Almost When by hard fortune a limb is op- cally. Houman remains among the very two dozen spontaneously rose and shared pressed, the other members lose their few exemplars I have known, who was specific anecdotes and instances interact- desired rest. harmoniously retrospective, introspective ing with Houamn. It’s as if Houman emi- If thou feel’st not for others’ misery and prospective in his short, nonetheless, nently present, was pasing on the torch of a Human, therefore, is no name for thee.

12 No. 82 C O M M E N T A R Y SECRET SYKES-PICOT AGREEMENT

Taken from deutche welle

François Georges-Picot (right) and Mark Sykes According to the Sykes-Picot borders were drawn map of the Middle East

100 years of secret agreement between France and Great France and Great Britain to determine its sphere of influence Britain known as the “Sykes-Picot” passed. May 16, 1916 two in this strategic area. world powers over land borders were drawn up by the Middle “League of Nations” an intergovernmental organization East agreed, however, that the plan is fully implemented. based in Geneva (Switzerland) after the First World War the In the message jihadists to “humiliating tutelage of Western outcome of the Treaty of “Versailles” began its work on Janu- imperialism” that history is a hundred years old, was noted. ary 10, 1922. It has 58 members, 42 members, including Iran, A series of agreements known as the “Sykes-Picot” was that a founding and active member of it. the lands under the influence and tutelage of France and Great United States of America was never a member, although Britain were the Middle East today. Isis in the message of “the the idea of forming it had developed much earlier. “League of end of the Sykes-Picot” spoke. Nations” in 1946 after World War II and the establishment of It is an undeniable fact that to understand politics, ideologi- “United Nations” was dissolved. cal and relations in the Arab Middle East countries, should this Under the agreement Sykes and Picot, the French sphere of historical juncture formation of the state system at the end of influence in southeastern Turkey today (including the cities of the First World War Zone (1918) and the subsequent collapse Sivas, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Adana, Mersin) began to Northern of the Ottoman Empire (1922) return. Iraq (Mosul, Rawandoz) and Syria (Aleppo, Damascus) and In this regard, the “the Sykes-Picot” or “Sykes-Picot bor- Lebanon today (Beirut), on the sidelines of the Mediterranean ders” spoken. extended Middle East. Mark Sykes and Francois Georges-Picot two were British Instead mandate constituencies Great Britain southern and and French diplomats in 1916 on behalf of their respective central regions of Iraq (Kirkuk, Baghdad, Basra) and then Ku- governments about the division of the Middle Eastern territories wait and the Persian Gulf region, Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian of the Ottoman Empire agreed. The agreement was signed in territories and Jordan were included today. secret on May 16, 1916. East of Turkey, which includes part of the Black Sea coast This confidentiality agreement, which divided the lands to the borders of Iran and Azerbaijan (in Trabzon, Erzurum, Van dominated by Czarist Russia and Ottoman Empire allottee was and Bitlis) was ranked Russia’s sphere of influence. part of the agreement, after the October 1917 revolution in Rus- The mission of the “League of Nations” is the responsibility sia, the Bolshevik revolution was disclosed by the government. of governments optional borders were drawn up based on the Lenin and Leon Trotsky command, the Bolshevik Commissar region’s two world powers France and Great Britain. for Foreign Affairs, the full text of the agreement as part of In other words, Sykes and Picot were the ruler and pencil on an “imperialist plot” on November 23, 1917 in the newspaper roles that were strewn on his desk, drawing straight lines land, “Izvestia” and “Pravda” was released three days after the docu- Arabic countries in the Middle East today and then it states, ment is confidential until then Manchester United’s English were determined on the basis of their strategic interests. A good newspaper reflected. example of it, the distribution of the four countries Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran, the Armenians and Assyrians also from THE DIVISION OF SPHERES OF INFLUENCE the division remained vacant. AND PATRONAGE, FRANCE AND Arabic North Africa regions Sykes and Picot borders of GREAT BRITAIN tasks not because these regions were already divided. Egypt Although the provisions of the so-called “Sykes-Picot was under the influence of Great Britain and France on the Agreement” was not implemented one by one, but the man- west (including Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria) dominated and date of international institutions “League of Nations” to bring Libya was an Italian protectorate.

Summer 2016 13 C O M M E N T A R Y ling an Arab Mslmanzadhy, and if possible, Arabic a team. “

APPROACH UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Woodrow Wilson’s famous 14-point statement, dated Janu- ary 8, 1918 President of America welcomed by the vast met all Muslim countries and it confirms the right of its independence variances. In the first paragraph of the statement that peace agree- ments must be made public and far from any confidentiality agreement. The statement of the interests of the peoples of the Ottoman Empire and their right to self-determination is affirmed. In June 1919, the Commission “King Crane” by the United Paris Peace Conference in 1919, States of America was heading to Syria to local representatives attended by Faisal ibn Hussein, son of the Sharif in “Lawrence of Arabia” to ask about the future of this country. Until then, America was very active in global diplomacy and a member of the “League Is “Sykes-Picot Agreement” by the Europeans was an of Nations” was also refused. anti-Arab conspiracy? Arab people they believe are not rare. The commission from Aleppo to Beer Sheva (in central Bassam Tibi, professor of political science at the University Israel today) spanned. The Commission visited 36 cities, two of Tübingen in Germany that the long Syrian-German history thousand delegates from 300 villages and more than 3 thousand and sociology of Islam and Arab taught, recalls his youth in applications were received to attend. Syria. He said: “In all school diploma,” Sykes-Picot “and the The results of the Commission met with firm opposition scars to prove it has always been a lesson. The consequence of of France and Great Britain ignored. this historical wound not only Syrians, but still feel all Arab people.” THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATES Paris agreements, particularly its consequences, were pos- “IN VIEW AFTER AN ARABIC” sessed of critical importance.According to the agreement between One of the goals of the German Empire during World the Government of Syria and Iraq were established.”League of War I, the war in the Middle East aimed at undermining the Nations” in 1922, another mission was to form a new govern- united front of the three countries - France, Great Britain and ment Lebanon. Russia - was. Germany and the Ottoman Empire were allies in In the same year, “League of Nations” create “homeland for this war. Germans with the Ottoman Caliphate in Istanbul, the the Jewish people” and predicted that the next fields provided highest Sunni religious authority was, calling on Arabs to fight establishment of the State of Israel. against Great Britain. King Faisal in Paris announced their support for the Jews The British also tried in front of the honorable Ben Ali, and said: “I am assured that the Arabs, unlike what we see Un- in charge of religious sites in Mecca and the second religious fortunately, in many parts of the world, no ethnic and religious authority of the caliph unite with them. hostility against Christians will not show.” But this faith Faisal’s In October 1915 Henry McMahon, High Commissioner in intentions faced with the difficult realities of the future. Egypt, Great Britain, the Sharif Hussein suggested that attrac- A year later, in 1923, Great Britain Emirate of Transjordan tive. He said, if the Arabs stand to support British, Great Britain area, located in East Jordan separated from the Palestinian ter- in return will contribute to the noble establish his kingdom. ritories and Jordan today provided context. McMahon said: “Great Britain is ready, the independence of Great Britain from the late nineteenth century was respon- the Arabs in the borders that Sharif suggests, to recognize and sible for Kuwait’s mandate and its independence after World adhere to it.” War I declared. This alliance took place. Arab forces led by Faisal ibn Hus- In general, since the late 1920s, gradually all these coun- sein, son of Sharif, along with British officer, Thomas Edward tries their independence, riots and repression in consultation and Lawrence (known as Lawrence of Arabia) Ottoman forces were agreement with the colonial powers, were recovered and joined forced to retreat. By the end of the First World War, at the Paris conference a new order in the region was discussed. Faisal on behalf of the Arabs at the conference and said: “I am sure that the great powers, the welfare of Arab people prefer to their material interests.” But Faisal was wrong. France and Great Britain over the division of the territories based on Sykes-Picot borders stressed and said that there will be Arabic countries, but under our influence. At the same time George Lord Kvrzvn, Great Britain for- eign minister said his country plans to Great Britain’s economic interests behind a “facade Arabic” hide “the government and administration under the leadership of Great Britain, by control- The nomads of the Jordanian army ready for war with the Ottoman Empire

14 No. 82 C O M M E N T A R Y the United Nations. Later changes were made to set boundaries, such as Turkey under Atatürk some northern Syria withdrew; Influence of Iranian Spiritual the story of each one of them is another story. As a result, the new order created a stage for conflict Traditions in Christianity and wars that have continued to this day: an endless tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, the Lebanese civil war from 1975 to 1990, following the Gulf War when Saddam Hussein’s Nasser Tejaratchi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, tensions Shbhjngy decades- long conflict and the situation in the Kurdish areas of Turkey, Iraq and Syria later on. Finally, America’s invasion of Iraq in 2003 with disastrous Whether we are religious or not, we cannot deny the impor- consequences, mismanaging the period after the fall of the tant role that religions have played in human culture, behavior, Baathist regime in Iraq, and religious confrontations, especially and history. While western cultures, starting with Greco-Roman between Sunnis and Shiites were pulled out of the “Islamic civilization, have shown more interest in material factors and State” (ISIS) in Syria emerged, and then it rolled and flashes technology, the middle easterners specifically Iranian have made the country into war Frvkshand devastating. more contribution to spiritual matters. Without a doubt, the cause of all this turmoil can not be According to international consensus monotheism started based on the borders of the new “Sykes-Picot” Search, however, with Zoroastrian religion, occurring around or before three thou- that in those years the foundations were poured current order, sand years ago. The opponents to this fact consider a dual con- an order that the underlying tensions, riots and wars were. cept in the principle of Ahuramazda against Ahriman. However, Arabic-existent consistent, whether the people and the Arab according to this concept, Ahuramazda will ultimately conquer tribes alone would be able to restore order and peace in their Ahriman. Besides, in Christianity, a monotheistic religion, there lands, to identify and map the borders of their state-building? is also a concept of trilogy (the trinity). Before Christianity, It seems to be independent and liberal approach that arose Mithraism (older than Zoroastrianism, but with similar concept) from the spirit of the founders of the United States of America, had become very prevalent in Rome. In Mithraism, there is the then America’s constitution and the will of the people of the land concept of “god of light in the sky” symbolized by the sun and knew criteria, perhaps more realistic approach would be. But it the origin of “Mehre” (or warmth and love). In Rome, religious is also certain that history can not be explained on the basis of traditions in the newly spreading Christianity were influenced mental imagery and the necessary qualifications. by Mithraism. The pope’s “triple crown” (frequently referred to as the “tiara,” from the Persian “tadj”) is a type of hat that was worn by Iranian higher society up to the beginning decades of the 20th century. Also, the tradition of choir boys singing religious hymns is believed to originate in Mithrian and Zoroastrian temples. With respect to religious ceremonies and dates, some ancient historians claim that Jesus Christ was actually born sometime in January and this day was brought to an earlier date to fit the Mithrian and Zoroastrian celebration of “Valda” or birth of the new year. Most Iranians still celebrate Yalda on the eve of winter solstice (on December 21, the longest night of the year). It is well known that the “Three Kings” or Maji who visited Christ after his birth were Zoroastrian priests (Maji being the plural of Majus, Magh, or Mogh in today’s Persian). It is interesting to note that while the Samites (Hebrews, Arabs, and ancient Egyptians) used the lunar calendar, the Iranians have used the solar calendar. It is believed that the Samites living in sub-tropical regions were not dealing with the four seasons’ climate so their year was made up of 12 months, of 28 days each. Therefore, their dates were not accurate and would change. Pope Leo, in the fourth century AD, was one of the influential Christian leaders who tried to bring certain religious dates closer to the Mithrian’s and Zoroastrian’s. In addition to Christ’s birthday, Easter (the day of Christ’s resur- rection) was brought closer to Now-Rooz, the Iranian New Year Day. And how about the Christmas tree? As we see in Persepolis, two kinds of trees appear along with sculptures at intervals. One a pomegranate or a flower tree, and the other a Cypress tree looking exactly like a Christmas tree -- each tree bearing some religious significance. The Cypress tree was used in Mithra­Zoroastrian religions in certain ceremonies, decorated with a star on top and candles around it.

Summer 2016 15 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E and the characters of the book. The fact that every word he uses REVIEWS is important to the story makes the book an easy and interesting GREEKS IN MODERN IRAN read. A must for the summer book list. Evangelos Venetis Dr. Evangelos Venetis is the author JOURNEY OF NO RETURN, A True-Life Story of Cultural of a seminal book entitled “Greeks in Assimilation of Iranian Immigrants in America Modern Iran: Discovering the Past of Shahin (Sarraf) Dardashti a Prosperous Community (1837-2010)” Dorfaque Pub.2015 published in Athens, Greece in 2014 Books on personal experiences of (this project was also supported by the immigrants to the United States are of collaboration of Elli Antoniades; publi- extreme importance. They teach us, as cation supported by the Kefalidis fam- Americans, what we do right and what ily). The book is a historical monograph we do wrong to help new immigrants in the field of modern Greek-Iranian STRIVE to become new AMERI- studies published by the Society for CANS. We need to understand that Hellenic-Iranian Studies (SHIS) in the culture, traditions, customs and their Graeco-Iranica Monograph Series. It aims at informing the sci- native tongue cannot and should not entific and wide readership about the past, present and future of be extinguished, but rather be another the Greek Diaspora in Iran in the last two centuries. thread in the American quilt. Likewise The first part of the book narrates the history of the Greeks new immigrants must learn to assimi- who entered Qajar Iran in the early 19th century and established late into American culture, traditions, customs and language. their community in northern Iran. In the second part, the analysis An immigrants experience is held together by the common focuses on the history of the Greek community of Tehran in the thread of leaving their birth place. Each experience, however, be- Pahlavi era and the period of the Islamic Republic, highlighting comes unique based on their age, reason, wealth, education and if also the interaction between Greeks from all over the world and it was by choice or force. Those of us who have not had the experi- Iranians inside Iran in various fields such as economy, politics ence cannot possibly understand the true strurggle of the immigrant and culture. Given that the contemporary research and study of to assimilate. In this book the author presents another perspective Hellenic-Iranian studies worldwide stop in the seventh century on immigration the history of Pardees, the main character in the AD.; contemporary Hellenic-Iranian relations remain a terra in- book. It deals with immigration after the 1979 Revolution. cognita. As a result, Dr. Venetis’ monograph is a general introduc- tion to a long period, covering a wide range of topics and aiming to act as the framework for the development of the study and research of contemporary Hellenic-Iranian studies worldwide. Dr. Evangelos Venetis studied history at the University of Ioannina, where he received also his master’s degree in medieval history.

AVON THE STORMS OF CHANGE Christian J. Alecci Avon’s golden era falls as an all- powerful Judge and his bloodline infest the land, making way for the rise of his perverse world. Those who remain in his oppressive society attempt a dance that no one knows the steps for, des- perately hoping to resurrect their once glorious world. Meanwhile, a danger- ous force is busy invoking powers that threaten to bring a madness that will cover the land in darkness and snuff light out forever. Buckle up for this tril- ogy that will have you wondering, what is the price of glory? How far are you willing to go to get what you want? In a world of no god or grace, who do you bow to? Welcome to Avon. This is the first of a new trilogy that certainly reflects social impacts in today’s society. It is the story of the present era and one that allows the readers, young and old, to immerse themselves into the journey. Will this new generation make the decisions to lead them into a life of peace or one that keeps them on a road of disarray, discontent and mass destruction. Christians ability with Christian’s word makes it easy for the reader to visualize Avon

16 No. 82 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E maybe… this is what they think Iran is always like?” He was joking of course, but there was a sad element of truth to his words. One of the first questions people here ask me is always, “What did you think of Iran before you came here?” My first Couchsurfing hosts in Tehran, a young Ph.D. stu- dent and her roommate, said they were so excited to be hosting an American girl, and that they hope more tourists will start to come to Iran. They were incredibly warm and welcoming hosts, cooking delicious Persian food and asking me countless questions about Norway and the U.S. and foreigners’ impressions of Iran. Mina, a girl from Tehran who invited me out to lunch through Couchsurfing was similarly curious about foreigners coming to By Silvia Lawerence Iran. She explained that while Iranians don’t necessarily like www.heartmybackpack.com their government, they do love their country and are eager to March 20, 2014 share it with guests. I really wish that I could have told them all that of course Americans are interested in visiting Iran and that they realize I have never had people express so many opinions about that there’s a huge difference between the people of Iran and my travels as when I decided to backpack through Iran solo as their government, but I would probably have been lying. Most a woman for two weeks. Everyone seemed to have something people whom I talked with about my trip offered me strong to say about it, with responses ranging from “That is amazing, I words of caution, with some even trying to convince me not to would totally join you if I didn’t have a U.S. passport,” to “You’re go, especially alone. going there alone? What sort of death wish do you have?” and The thing is, I haven’t felt alone once since I landed in Iran. the blunt words of my extremely well-traveled great uncle, “Iran The receptionist at my first hotel took me in as her daughter, ac- is not a nice place, go to Greece instead.” companying me to breakfast and lunch and suggesting sites for A friend of a friend even wrote a Facebook note (people still me to visit, my Couchsurfing hosts were like cool older sisters, write those?) about my plans, saying that I was either incredibly chatting with me about religion and politics as well as the plot brave, or incredibly naive and ignorant. In the end he applauded twists of Lost and J-Lo’s divorce (I’m so out of touch), and my willingness to put myself in harm’s way in order to experi- Mina truly has adopted me as her sister, with an invitation to ence a place with real sexism, which he took to be some sort of lunch turning into a trip to visit Esfahan and then several days feminist statement about being a woman in America. with her family in Tehran. What?! Sorry to disappoint, but really I just wanted to see Perhaps solo female travel in Iran could be dangerous, but Persia. for me it hasn’t been an issue. I mean, even the tap water here I mean, Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, is safe! There have been times, as in any city, when I’ve been hosts thirteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and boasts beauti- walking alone and noticed a man walking uncomfortably close ful landscapes stretching from dense rain forests to snowcapped to me. Whether the threat was in my imagination or not, all it mountains to desert basins. Plus, so many travelers whom I met in ever took was for me to move close to another woman and the Central Asia absolutely raved about Iran. The hospitable people, guy would quickly disappear. Scary stuff, Iran. delicious food and historic sites – how could I not add Iran to So far my experience in Iran has only been one of warmth my travel itinerary? and hospitality, and really, really amazing food! I’m tempted to So, was coming here a good decision? think all this hype over solo female travel in Iran has been blown I’ve now been in Iran for a week and a half and, like most way out of proportion. Though, in a few hours Mina and I are places, it’s not exactly what I had imagined. I’m writing this from heading to Marivan, a small Kurdish city on the border to Iraq. my new friend Mina’s apartment, where we’re huddled together So you know, maybe I’ll have some more eventful things to share with hot mugs of tea listening to loud explosions coming from from there! (Kidding, family, Kurdistan is of course totally safe.) the street. Every few minutes a particularly large explosion will light up the apartment and we’ll look at each other with a mixture of fear and awe. Heart My Backpack chronicles my adventures You guys, it’s the Persian New Year! As part of the New across the globe, both solo and with friends. I was Year’s celebrations, which are Iran’s biggest of the year and in- living and traveling abroad for five years, but as of clude Zoroastrian rituals and traditions dating back 3,000 years, 2015 I now have a home base in Rauland, Norway! on the last Tuesday of the year, families gather together in cel- ebration, building bonfires to run around and jump over, lighting off firecrackers, and sending fire lanterns into the sky, all with My travels tend to focus on less popular tourist random outbursts of song and dance. destinations such as Iran and the “Stans” of Earlier in the evening while we were all on the apartment Central Asia, where I’ve aimed to challenge building’s rooftop, Mina’s brother joked that this is probably misconceptions we have about countries that every American’s nightmare of Iran. often suffer harsh representations in Western “If your friends could see you now, in the middle of Tehran media. surrounded by fires and explosions, what would they think? Or

Summer 2016 17 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Harper Lee, Gregory Peck and “TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD”

Bahman Maghsoudlou New York, March 21, 2016

A - THE AUTHOR Great Depression, and is Harper Lee, the distinguished novelist told through the eyes of who only wrote two novels, died at age 89, six-year-old Scout Finch early Friday, February 19, 2016, in Monro- (a clear alter ego for Lee) eville, AL, her birth place. in one of the most memo- Her first semi-autobiographical novel, rable depictions of a child To Kill a Mockingbird, was published in in contemporary American 1960 and became an instant hit. It rose to literature. The title of the the top of the bestseller lists and remained book is derived from an in- there for 88 weeks. It won the Pulitzer Prize cident in the novel, in which in 1961, and, by the late ‘70s, had sold her father, Atticus, gives an almost ten million copies (as of the present air rifle to Scout and her day, it has reached the heights of roughly brother with the condition forty million copies worldwide). To Kill that they can shoot at tin G. Peck & B. Maghsoudlou a Mockingbird became a must-read book cans but never at a mock- in secondary school curriculums and the ingbird. The reason for this Library journal declared it the best novel is later explained to Scout by the widow Paramount, were looking for another in- of the 20th century. It is the most taught fic- who lives across the street; it is a sin to kill teresting vehicle. The dormant project got tion book written by an American and its mockingbirds because they harm no one their attention. They dropped Hudson and timeless humanist theme of social justice and only give the world beautiful music sent a copy of the novel to Gregory Peck, continues to strike a chord that cuts across through their songs. Atticus Finch, based who read it and accepted the leading role age, race and class. To Kill a Mockingbird, on Lee’s father, with whom he shared both of Atticus. Becoming the embodiment of with its honest look at racial inequality, profession and character, is a white, liberal Atticus Finch, a devoted father to his two race relations, family turmoil, class war small town southern lawyer, a man of utter motherless children, Jem and Scout, Peck and justice, particularly in the Deep South moral integrity, who is given the task of turned in a performance that was perfect when African Americans were still being defending a black man who has been falsely and astonishing. Finch was a man who denied even the most basic of civil rights, accused of raping a white woman. represented honor, compassion, integrity is among those works of art that can’t help Ms. Lee studied law at the University and decency, qualities that the real Gregory but leave a lasting impression on readers of Alabama, but, unlike her father, decided Peck always displayed as well. of all ages, and remains one of the most to become a writer. She was a very private Lee refused to write the script, so the important books published during the rise person and avoided anything that would put famous southern writer Horton Foote was of the civil rights movement. her in the public eye. She always steadfastly brought in to do the adaptation, a task he The book is set in 1932 during the refused to talk about her own life and work, accomplished masterfully and that eventu- and even left a request that her eulogy focus ally brought him an Oscar. Robert Mulli- on her art alone, not her life. Ms. Lee never gan directed the film with a sure hand and, married and had no children. contrary to the book, focused more on the Her second book, Go Set a Watchman, trial of Tom Robinson and less on the day was published in 2015. The book has gar- to day life of the small town. nered mixed reviews, particularly in regard Universal helped recreate the at- to its depiction of the widely beloved char- mosphere of the novel through authentic acter of Atticus, but has sold two million sets on their lot showing the houses, the copies and become a bestseller in America, neighborhood, and the interior courtroom just like its predecessor (although its ulti- of the Monroe County Courthouse in Mon- mate fate has yet to be decided). roeville, AL. Production designers traveled to Monroeville, taking photographs and B-THE FILM measurements prior to shooting in order to Universal Studios bought the rights to recreate the whole set. They too would earn the book, and the role of Atticus Finch was an Oscar, for Art Direction/Set Decoration. offered to Rock Hudson. That production The film opened on December 25, was subsequently delayed and the whole 1962 and received mostly good reviews. thing was temporarily shelved. Producer The budget was two million, and the film Alan J. Pakula and director Robert Mul- would go on to make that back ten times ligan, having just worked together suc- over. To Kill a Mockingbird is among those cessfully on Fear Strikes Out (1957) for rare films that managed to please the au-

18 No. 82 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E thor of the source material and fans of the book as well. Lee was very happy with the results and particularly with Gregory Arian Moayed Peck’s extraordinary performance. She was Actor and Theater Producer so impressed with Peck, in fact, that she would subsequently turn down all offers in later years for any remake, television or stage production, believing the character would never be done better. Ms. Lee also made a gift of good luck and appreciation to Mr. Peck of her father’s gold pocket watch, which he had carried to court for forty years. To Kill a Mockingbird was nominated for 8 Academy awards but only won three. After having been nominated for the top acting prize a previous four times, in 1945, 1946, 1947 and 1949, Gregory Peck finally received the prestigious golden Moayed at a scene of the Movie: statue on April 8, 1963 for his work as Atti- Appropriate Behavior cus Finch. Fittingly, when he went onstage to accept his award, he had Lee’s father’s Wikipedia: Arian Moayed was born April 15, 1980 and is an Iranian-born gold watch in his pocket. American actor and theater producer. Moayed received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play in 2011 for his performance as Musa in Bengal C-THE ACTOR: MEETING Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. GREGORY PECK (1916-2003) Moayed’s father is a banker by profession. His parents left Iran following Gregory Peck, one of the most popular the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The family settled in Glenview, Illinois, a suburb of film stars from the 1940s to 1960s, came to Chicago, when Moayed was five years old. He speaks Persian. Tehran to participate in the Second Tehran Moayed graduated from Glenbrook South High School in 1998. He then International Film Festival in 1974. He had received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 2002. During college, he just starred in Billy Two Hats (directed by appeared in plays by Anton Chekhov and William Shakespeare. He and his wife, Ted Kotcheff), a film that was shown out of Krissy Shields, have two daughters, Olive Joon and Ivy Shireen. competition. Mr. Peck acted in more than Moayed moved to Manhattan following college. In 2002, Moayed and actor fifty films during a career that spanned over Tom Ridgely, who was Moayed’s roommate at Indiana University, co-founded the half century. He was a liberal and a popu- Waterwell, an experimental, multimedia theater company in New York. Moayed and lar movie hero who embodied American Ridgely have produced more than a dozen stage productions and shows since decency, skillfully projecting bravery and the theater was established. Moayed also works as Waterwell’s artistic director. vulnerability. It is interesting to note that, Moayed does not speak Iraqi Arabic, which is spoken by his character in when his decency and integrity vanished, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. To acquire an authentic accent needed for the as demanded by his role in Duel in the Sun role, Moayed taped the translator who was hired for the play and studied her (1946), the film ended up failing at the box Iraqi Arabic accent in English. Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo moved from Los office. His well-known character was also a Angeles to Broadway in 2010, where Moayed appeared opposite Robin Williams. factor in his public life. Mr. Peck was promi- Moayed received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for nent among Hollywood figures backing lib- his portrayal of Musa at the 65th Tony Awards in 2011. He also received a Drama eral political causes, including advocating League Award nomination and received a Theater World Award. for gun control and against the Vietnam War. As a writer/director, Moayed wrote and directed his first short Overdue in 2012, Mr. Peck had a very tight schedule during which premiered at the Cinequest Film Festival in March, 2012. It was released on his short stay in Tehran, but I found an op- The Business of Being Born website. Overdue is about a couple trying to induce portunity to conduct a short interview with labor naturally before medical intervention. His second short film, Day Ten, stars him. One of the questions that I remember Omar Metwally about the days right after September 11, 2001. Day Ten had its that is appropriate for this piece is that I world premiere at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. asked him what an actor’s primary obliga- In 2015, filming is scheduled to begin on Moayed’s debut screenplay, This tion was, to which he replied, “An actor must Island Made Me. The film follows an eleven-year-old Iranian immigrant who tries perform with charm and professionalism.” to reunite his family for a concert. We continued to talk, touching on Hitchcock His film catalogue includes: 2003 – Phileine Zegt Sorry, 2006 – Church Story, and other great directors with whom he had 2006 – Law & Order, 2006 – Six Degrees, 2007 – M.O.N.Y. (NBC Pilot, directed by worked, until I finally asked him, “What Spike Lee), 2007 – Arranged, 2007 – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, 2008 – The was the key to your performance in To Kill Christians, 2009 – White Collar, 2010 – Law & Order: Criminal Intent, 2011 – Roadie, a Mockingbird, so powerful and magnificent 2013 – The Following, 2014 – Believe (produced by JJ Abrams, pilot directed by that you earned an Oscar for it?” He paused Alfonso Cuarón), 2014 – Rosewater, 2015 – Appropriate Behavior, 2015 – Rock for a moment, and looked at me directly and the Kasbah. said, “I played myself.”

Summer 2016 19 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E About the Persian Music Michael McClain

TO THE EDITOR: played alone in order to provide the drone or tonic. In Persian Inspired by the interview with Lily Afshar and because re- music the setar is often used for this purpose. search material will not be accessible to me until some time With the important exceptions of liturgical chant and much in June, I decided to write an essay on music. folk music and I mean genuine folk music; most of what has been passed off as “folk music” since the 1960s is, in reality, what an- Persian music, like Celtic music and northern Indian music, thropologists call “fakelore”, modern Western music is not modal. utilizes the tonic or drone, and is based on a number of heptatonic By the above, I mean that most modern Western music has reduced (seven tone) modes which include quarter tone or micro-tones. the number of modes to two, i.e., the Major and the Minor, and The principle of the tonic or drone is illustrated by the bag- eliminating the quarter tones or microtones. In the Middle Ages, pipes and the drone strings used on various stringed instruments. the Major mode was a genuine mode, but today, not only have It may come as a surprise to some that said principle is found even the quarter tones been eliminated, but the remaining tones have in purely vocal music, I refer to the Byzantine “Ison”, in which been grossly deformed or tempered’’, all to facilitate the use of part of the choir carries the melody, while another part maintains complex harmonies. Thus, melody has been devastated in the the tonic or drone. name of harmony. I have nothing against harmony in the abstract, In Persian the tonic or drone is called “Maye”, though said but believed that the price paid for it has been far too high. The word can also mean “Mode”. Perhaps no one has explained the current popularity of Celtic music, and to a lesser extent medieval principle of the tonic or drone as well as Alain Danielou in his music and North Indian music is a rebellion against the tempered- masterful The Ragas of Northern Indian Music. harmonic system and its devastation of melody. As we explained above, Persian music as well as Celtic Mu- Both Persian music and Celtic music are sic and north Indian music uses a variety of modal, that is, they use a variety of modes heptatonic (seven tone) mode, which contain and make use of quarter tones. Persian music full tones, half tones and quarter tones or mi- uses twelve modes or “dastgah-s”, i.e., shur, crotones … Says Alain Danielou: abu ata, dashti, bayat-e-zand, afshari, segabh, “Indian music, like all truly modal music, Setar Tar chahargah, homayun, bayat-e-esfahan, nava, is built on the independent relationship of each mahur and …. note to the tonic. The relationship to the tonic The vast majority of Celtic music is determines the meaning of any given sound. composed using four untempered heptatonuc The tonic must therefore constantly be heard. (seven tone) modes. sometimes called Doh, It can either be sounded as a drone (as in the Soh, Ray and Lah. The Celtic Doh mode corre- case of the bagpipes and the Byzantine Ison) sponds very exactly to the north Indian Bilaval or repeated at frequent intervals, as is done on mode, The Celtic Soh mode to the north Indian stringed instruments. It should be remembered Khammaja mod, the Celtic Ray mode to the that the drone is not merely intended to keep north Indian Marava mode, the Celtic Lah the singers on pitch, so what they can always mode to the north Indian Yavanapuri mode. attack at the correct pitch, but it is the key to In addition, the Celtic Lah mode cor- all modal expression. As long as the hearer responds very closely to the Sika mode of has not entirely identified himself with the Hispano-Muslim music, and resembles the tonic, but still perceives drone and melody Persian Shur mode so closely that it may be as separate entities, it will remain impossible considered a variant of it. for him to follow or understand the meaning The chanter of what might be called the of modal music.” “Gaelic bagpipes” of Ireland and the Scottish In Celtic music, the tonic or drone is Highlands is tuned to a unique mode which absolutely necessary. Especially in Brittany, very exactly corresponds to the north Indian the drone pipe of the bagpipes is sometimes Bhairavi mode.

20 No. 82 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E

The fact that the chanter of the Gaelic bagpipes is tuned to a are based on untempered hepta- Chang unique mode may indicate that in the past Celtic music used a far tonic modes, Since untempered greater variety of modes than is true at present. As Persian music modes require ornamentation of uses twelve modes and north Indian music uses ten modes, this the melody, as they do not per- would seem to be a reasonable supposition. Since the number of mit the complex harmonies of heft atonic modes which employ quarter tones is theoretically vast, tempered modes, they require the numerous resemblances and identities noted above cannot be more in the way of ornamention coincidence. or embellishment of the melody. The guitar is often called “the national instrument of Spain”. We have already mentioned the However, in Spain the bagpipes date back to pre-Roman times, ornamentation of the melody and thus are far more ancient than the guitar. The Spanish Celts with quarter tones used in both playing their bagpipes and shouting their war cries was the last Celtic and Persian music. sound heard by many thousands of Roman legionnaires before they Both Celtic and Persian use were hacked to pieces by the “falcate”, the deadly Celtic sword grace notes very extensively in that resembles a long and heavy Gurkha “kukri.” the ornamentation of the melo- The classic Celtic instruments are harp (“chang” in Persian) dy, indeed at times using whole violin and bagpipes, along wit various types of flutes and oboes. strings of grace notes. Grace The harp and violin present no problems so far as producing quarter notes are used in groups of two, tones is concerned. The bagpipes, along with the flutes and oboe three and four are used in Gaelic can produce quarter tones by partially opening and closing the bagpipe music. In this type of or- sound holes, exactly as is done in north Indian music. While simple namentation, it is essential that in theory, the production of quarter tones in the above manner is each grace note used cuts the note not recommended to beginners, as said quarter tones are not easy being embellished, so that two to correctly tune. Producing quarter tones in this way is done not grace notes never sound simultaneously. This type of ornamenta- only in what are generally considered to be the Celtic countries, tion is called “crabning,” probably from the Gaelic “crannghail,” i.e., Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, Wales and Brittanu, but the meaning the drone pipes of a set of bagpipes. same technique of producing quarter-tones is also used by the Repetition is an integral part of Persian music. Repetition is bagpipers of the Spanish regions of Galicia and Asturias as well also a vital part of Celtic music, most notably in the “Ceol Mor” as northern Portugal. (Great Music) or “Piobaireachd” of the Gaelic bagpipes, in which Of special interest is an instrument generally known in English numerous “doublings” or “treblings” are an integral part of each as “hurdy-gurdy” in Spanish as “organillo.” As it has two drone “Ceol Mor: composition. strings, is easily tuned to play various modes and quarter tones, and There is one sort of embellishment of the melody which is so has a sound described as “between the violin and the bagpipes” it common in Persian music that it is not even indicated in the nota- is ideal for Celtic music, especially for use as a drone; of course, tion. This is difficult to describe without using a musical score, but said instrument is also perfectly adapted to Persian music, and, for may be called “strums,” “trills” or “staccato runs.” What may be that matter, to north Indian music. called “non-staccao runs” are also very common in Persian music. The same qualities which recommended the hurdy-gurdy Staccat runs are very common in the music of the Gaelic bag- or organillo for Celtic music also recommended it for Ukrainian pes, and also in that of the Galician and Asturian bagpipes. In Celtic music, though it was invented in Western Europe sometime in the music, runs, particularly non-staccato runs, are called by the Gaelic 13th century. Says the Ukrainian scholar Nestor Nyzhanlivsky: term “Sruth Mor”, literally meaning “Great Stream”. Runs, “Sruth “The hurdy-gurdy {lira), of unknown origin, was known in Mor” are said to derive from ancient harp music. The “Sruth Mor” western Europe in the 13th century. It is a special type of stringed type of ornamentation has been preserved by the Gaelic bagpipers. instrument which unites the mechanisms of the bow and the key, Though the ancient Celtic harp muse is lost, the revival of the use It has three strings (more rarely four): the “baiorok” and the tenor of the harp in Ireland, the Scottish Highlands Wales and Brittany do not change their pitch and act as has also led to “Sruth Mor” once again being used in harp music. drones; the “melodia” (melody) is Contemporary Celtic harpers owe an enormous debt to the Gaelic the chanter. The vibrating length of bagpipers for preserving at least some of the techniques and types the “memodia” is changed by press- of ornamentation used by the ancient harpers. ing on the attached keys, which have Persian music and Celtic music are not only mutually perme- movable “nyty” or “pivkliavishi” able, but when they do combine it is often impossible to note where (semikeys). These can be adjusted one ends and the other begins. to permit modulation from major In pre-Islamic Spain there existed music based on the modes to minor, and vice versa) i.e., from used in Byzantine and Mozarabic chant (all of which are identical one mode to another). The range to modes used in north Indian music), there existed music with a depends upon the number of keys Celtic base, as well as combinations of the two. Beginning in the Tombak and may reach 14 (i.e., two full hep- 9th century if not before, many Persian cultural elements came tatonic modes). It can begin on any to Spain, very much including Persian music. Being based on tone (hence any mode)) which thus untempered heptatonic modes, Persian music and that based on becomes the tonic.” Byzantine and Mozarabic liturgical chants are mutually permeable. As we have said before, both In summary, Persian music was permeable with that based on Celtic music and Persian music Byzantine and Mozarabic chants, more permeable with that based

Summer 2016 21 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E on Byzantine and Mozarabic chants mixed with Celtic music, and is a large topic. Near Ronda, Abd most permeable of all with more or less pure Celtic music. ar-Rahman III founded a village Alain Danielou has noted the presence of Celtic as well as which he named “Zahara” which is Persian modes in what is called the “Andalusian” music of North the Hispano-Arabic pronunciation Africa, said to have been brought there by Muslim and Morisco of “Zahra” There are other villages refugees from Spain. This same mixture of Celtic and Persian called “.zahara” in southern Spain, influences is found in the traditional and folkloric music of the and “Zahara” is still occasionally Spanish regions of Andalusia, Extremadura, Murcia, Vlaencia and used as a feminine personal name Aragon, as well as the Portuguese regions of Algarve and Alemtejo. in Andalusia. Of course, it is often not possible to determine where the Persian The mother of Imam Ali Reza, elements end and the Celtic elements begin, and vice versa. Anyone the 8th Holy Imam, was Hispano- familiar with traditional, non-Gypsy Andalusian guitar music who Muslim and of Spanish, i.e., Ibe- listens to a recital on the Persian tar will no longer believe in the rian. Celtic and Visigothic origin. “Arab” origin of traditional Andalusian guitar music. It is well known that Persians came In Andalusia there are three schools of guitar music: the purely to Spain during the Muslim Period, Classical, Andres Segovia being the most famous practitioner, the though there is no way to know how Gypsy or “Flamenco” and the traditional or folkloric non-Gypsy. many. The number of Persians who Though Gypsy guitarists at times play traditional or folkloric tunes, came to Muslim Spain cannot have the three schools remain quite separate from one another. After I been very large, yet their influence had moved from Granada to Santiago de Compostela in the North- was pervasive and permanent, con- west, the Andalusian traditional guitarist Paco de Lucia became tinuing to this very day, long after well known on the radio. Most Galicians assumed that Paco de the end of the Muslim Period. How Lucia was a Gypsy, an error no Andalusian would make. To me it can this be? The answer to the above was obvious that the music and style of playing of Paco de Lucia enigma is simply that the group had was not Gypsy. When Paco de Lucia appeared on TV, there was been prepared for said Persian influ- no doubt; he is a tall, gangly blond fellow who speaks with a very ences by Celts, Alans and Visigoths. thick western Andalusian accent with no trace of Gypsy in it. The Shortly before I moved from Galcians were forced to admit that I had been right. Granada to Santiago de Compostela, Kamanche We have been speaking mainly of music, but in fact Persian someone told me: “You may leave influences permeated almost everything in Muslim Spain: music, Andalusia, but Andalusia will never art, architecture, cuisine, clothing, agriculture, literature and a leave you.” Perfectly true. The two great loves of my life, aria de long etcetera. la Encarnacio (Encarnita) Ruiz and Maria del Consuelo (Chelo) Noted the poet Abu Bakr ibn al-Qutiyya (literally “Abu Bakr Fernandez, were both an Andalusian though not from Granada. son of the Goth”), the three great holidays of the Hispano-Muslims Quarter tones may be played on the guitar; Andalusian guitar- were Mihrajan, ‘Id and Norouz. Two of these are of special inter- ists have shown me how to do so. However, guitar quarter tones est to us. The word “Norouz” is Persian and means “New Year.” are more difficult to get right than the quarter tones used on Celtic In Iran it is celebrated on the date of the Spring Equinox, but in bagpipes, flutes and oboes; these last are routine in Celtic music, Muslim Spain it was celebrated in the first days of January. Thus, while guitar quarter tones have never become routine because of the Persian New Year was on fused with the Christian New Year their difficulty. and also with Epiphany. Mihrajan is also of Persian origin. In Iran Kudos to Lily Afshar for inventing “fretlets” (Spanish: “Tras- it is celebrated at the time of the Autumn Equinox, but in Muslim tecitos” or, especially in Andalusia, “trastecillos”) in order to fa- Spain it was celebrated on June 24, at the time of the Summer cilitate the use of quarter tones on the guitar. It is a surprise to me Solstice. Thus the Persian Mihrajan was confused with St. John’s that, apparently, the idea never occurred to any Andalusian guitarist. Eve, which, as we have noted, is a festival of Celtic origin. Thus, Lily Afshar would be the toast of Andalusia thanks to her two of the most popular holidays of Muslim Spain bore Persian invention. I can hear it now: “Azucena, princesa de Persia y reina names, though in practice one was confused with the Christian New de la guitarra” (Lily, princess of Persia and queen of the guitar.) Year and Epiphany, while the other was confused with a festival “Azucena , preciosa flor de Persia y musa de los ruisehores de of Celtic or in, though long given a Christian name. Andalusia” ( Lily, loveliest flower of Persia and muse of the Perhaps related to the above - though this may be a subtle nightingales of Andalusia.”) point - is the prevalence of Shi’ism in Muslim Spain, though said Oh yes, Andes Segovia was Andalusian from Granada to topic is much too large be exact. In many ways the guitar would seem to be a natural for Oud/Barbat to deal with here. Note Celtic music, with its sound somewhere between the harp and the that all governments of violin, but such is not the case due to the difficulty of forming Muslim Spain were hos- quarter tones on the guitar. With the “fretlets” “trastecitos” or tile to Shi’ism in vary- “trastecillos” of Lily Afshar, the guitar might be able to take its ing degrees. place in Celtic music. Even the caliph of Cordoba Abd ar- Rahman III may have had Shi’a tendencies, though once again this Ney

22 No. 82 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E History often has trouble giving ASHRAF PAHLAVI outraged mullahs were unable to halt powerful women their due - Prin- Reza Shah’s plans to modernize his cess Ashraf Pahlavi certainly falls Portrait of a Persian Princess backward country. In 1936 when the into this category. Her death on 7 By Cyrus Kadivar crown prince returned to Iran and January 2016 in Monte Carlo at the Payvand News - 01/21/16 enrolled in a military college, Reza age of 96 did not spawn the usual Shah decided to marry off two of his part one publicity, controversy and myth that daughters. Shams took Fereydoun overshadowed her amazing life. We Jam, a dashing army officer, as her live in a world of vanishing icons and husband, and Ashraf married Ali Qa- in their passing we are often drawn to vam, the son of a Shirazi grandee. the past - forensically sifting through The old Shah was now en- the debris of time, piecing together sconced at the Marble Palace with the remains of an existence. Who his family and last wife Esmat. There was this woman? To understand her he kept up his disciplined lifestyle of is to delve into an era that ended in near Spartan simplicity - he slept on 1979 when a nation in revolt led by the floor, permitting himself only a religious leader brought down the one small luxury: a silver cigarette half-century old House of Pahlavi case. When his son brought over his and buried 2,500 years of monarchy. lovely bride, the Egyptian Princess Our story begins on the 26 October Fawzia, to Tehran in 1939, he al- 1919. lowed them to stay at the palace. On that chilly autumn day in to play in the cypress-pine gardens, run- In the stifling Pahlavi court, Ashraf Tehran, Reza Khan Pahlavi, the mous- ning down the massive halls with their treated Fawzia as a sister. Despite her un- tachioed, formidable Commander of the high, ornate walls, frescoes, glittering mir- happy marriage, Ashraf gave birth to a Persian Cossack Brigade, was smoking ror mosaic ceilings and the ever mystical son, Shahram. Six months later, in 1940, and pacing around the blue-tiled pool of Peacock Throne. Reza Shah adored his Fawzia gave birth to Shahnaz. his brick courtyard house, when an aide twins but was aware of their differences. The Anglo-Russian invasion of Iran told him the good news. His wife Nimtaj Ashraf shared some of his stubbornness, in 1941 led to Reza Shah’s abdication. Ayrumloo (later Taj-ol Moluk) had just fierce pride, and iron will. Mohammed Ashraf wanted to follow her father in given birth to a boy. Throwing away his Reza on the other hand was gentle, re- exile but he ordered her to stay in Iran. cigarette, the uniformed military leader served and painfully shy. He suffered from ‘Your brother needs you more than I do,’ had rushed toward his house, his jackboots typhoid fever and other childhood diseases he told her. Mohammed Reza was now thumping against the cobbled pavement. whilst little Ashraf was physically robust the new shah. In 1942, after divorcing At the door a midwife stopped him to say and emotionally volatile. Like all siblings her husband, Ashraf began an affair with that there was another child on the way. they quarrelled but they also confided in Houshang Teymourtash, the son of Reza Arriving five hours later, the girl, who one another. If her pretty sister Shams Shah’s former court minister. To her cha- was later named Ashraf, hardly generated loved her dolls, the tomboy Ashraf pre- grin, Mohammed Reza Shah scuttled their the same excitement that had greeted her ferred the company of her brother and budding romance. Distraught, a tearful brother’s birth and that of her elder sister his male friends, riding or playing tennis Ashraf left Iran for South Africa to visit Shams. with them. her exiled father who looked unwell and From an early age, Ashraf felt an out- When Reza Shah separated his heir did not have long to live. On her way back sider, ever conscious that she would have from his mother, sisters and his French she stopped in Egypt where the married to create a place for herself. In her own governess Madame Arfa, to give him a King Farouk paid lavish attention to her, words, it was her twin brother Mohammed rounded education, first at a military ca- throwing gala parties on his royal yacht Reza, the future crown prince, not her, det school and later at a private boarding and his summer palace in Alexandria. ‘I who would always be ‘the centre of my school,Le Rosey, in Switzerland, Ashraf tried to discourage Farouk without hurting existence.’ Despite being raised in a large was inconsolable. Two years later, in 1933, his pride,” she later wrote. family of siblings and half-siblings (in Ashraf, her mother and Shams, travelled Galloping her horse one day at the his lifetime Reza Shah married six times to Europe to see him. The Crown Prince royal riding club, Ashraf met Ahmad and had 11 children in all), Ashraf had had grown into a serious man and athlete Shafiq, the son of Farouk’s royal minis- a lonely childhood. Her mother spoiled with impeccable manners. Excited, Ashraf ter. They courted and were married in the her pet daughter Shams and her father telegraphed her father to be allowed to spring of 1944 in Cairo. ‘If I didn’t have only had eyes for her twin. Only Ashraf’s stay with her brother. A stern Reza Shah stars in my eyes,’ Ashraf confessed, ‘I nanny, a peasant woman, kept her com- summoned her back home. did have a handsome, charming husband.’ pany, telling her fairy tales, treating her In the winter of 1934 Ashraf and her Three months later her father died. Reza like a royal princess. sister Shams joined Queen Taj-ol Moluk Shah’s body was flown to Egypt and tem- In April 1926, after Reza Shah was in taking part in a ceremony at the new porarily housed in a royal mosque until crowned king at the Golestan Palace, the Tehran Teacher’s College where they ap- his reburial in Tehran. Ashraf returned to Palace of Roses, he briefly moved in with peared, unveiled, wearing a cap and spe- Iran with her husband Shafiq and had two his family in an annex of the former Qajar cial uniform. After that, all Iranian women children together: a boy, Shahriar, and a palace. Ashraf and Mohammed Reza used were required to remove their veils. The girl, Azadeh. Her sister Shams left Jam to

Summer 2016 23 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E marry Mehrdad Pahlbod, a civil engineer at a time when the Shah was preoccupied the man who would become her third and with a talent for music. with his new wife, Soraya Esfandiyari, last husband. Bushehri was the refined The post-war years brought new a striking Iranian-German woman with son of an Iranian businessman and his challenges to the Shah. His personal life green eyes. Then came Dr. Mohamad Mos- Caucasian wife. It was he who introduced was in disarray after his wife Fawzia left sadeq, the Majlis politician who stirred up the princess to jazz and dancing. He took him and returned to Cairo. In 1946, a pro- a nationalist movement to wrest control of her to parties, the cinema, museums and Soviet republic was established in Iranian Iran’s oil industry from its British own- art galleries, and read her the works of Azerbaijan. The Shah appealed to the U.N. ers. The radical cleric Ayatollah Kashani, French writers and philosophers: Sartre and sent his sister Ashraf with an Iranian mobilized the streets of Tehran against and Malraux. ‘Mehdi completely changed delegation to negotiate with Joseph Stalin. Great Britain and in support of Mossadeq. my life,’ Princess Ashraf later admitted The pipe-smoking dictator was reportedly In 1951 the Shah reluctantly accepted to in her memoirs, Faces in the Mirror. The captivated by the petite, steely princess appoint Dr. Mossadeq as prime minister. Shah’s sister fell in love with Mehdi but with the raven-black-hair, red-lips and From the start, Ashraf intuitively distrust- when the latter asked her to marry him dark eyes. At the Kremlin, the Persian ed the eccentric old man, a Qajar prince she hesitated. princess argued Iran’s case with passion and landowner who had been jailed in the In reality, Ashraf had not yet resolved and conviction. Stalin sent her a sable coat past by her father only to be given amnesty the question of her Egyptian husband. She as a souvenir of her trip to Moscow. Seven and released by her brother. was also concerned for her brother who months later thanks to US pressure, the The antipathy between the two of clashed with Mossadeq as the latter ap- Soviets left Iranian soil and the Shah’s them was a major source of friction be- peared to be pushing Iran over the edge af- army ‘liberated’ Azerbaijan. tween the court and the government. One ter the West boycotted Iranian oil. During Tehran’s high society now took no- day over tea at Ashraf’s home, as the prin- this period, Ashraf was drawn into a cloak- tice of the feisty young princess. ‘Since cess was outlining her plans for a new nurs- and-dagger operation that would have a there were few people my brother could ing school, Mossadeq interrupted her and major impact on Iran’s political future for trust and rely on, and since I had promised began a tirade against Reza Shah. Ashraf decades. That summer of 1953, via an in- my father I would stand by him,’ Ashraf was so upset that she instructed her butler termediary, Ashraf clandestinely met with once said, ‘I began my career on the do- to escort the prime minister out of the villa. two men in Paris who revealed that they mestic political scene.’ Her villa opposite Offended, Mossadeq went to the Shah and were acting on behalf of the American the royal palace was where she held court. demanded the princess be expelled from and the British government. They spoke In her chandeliered living room bedecked the country. The king sided with his prime of a covert plan hatched by their intelli- with tiger-skin sofas, empire chairs, por- minister. ‘I advise you to take your family gence services to remove Mossadeq using celain vases, gilt framed oil-paintings, and and go to Paris,’ he told his sister. For the a network of foreign operatives, Iranian the marble busts of her father, the prin- proud princess this was a personal blow. army officers, royalists, clerics, bazaar cess gathered a coterie of dominant figures When her husband refused to accompany merchants and ordinary folks loyal to the with the aim of building a political base her, she took her three children with her. crown. The role of Her Royal Highness for her brother, mobilise supporters and The two years spent away from Iran was vital. They needed her to deliver a neutralise any threats to his rule. was for Ashraf, a woman in her thirties, letter to her brother which would prompt Foreign ambassadors in Tehran nick- a time of financial hardship and constant the Shah to act swiftly if he wanted to keep named Ashraf ‘The Black Panther of Iran’ worries until she met Mehdi Bushehri, his throne. After a second meeting Ashraf and ‘The Power Behind the Throne.’ agreed to be a messenger. But for all her shrewd activities on The plane carrying Princess his behalf, there were rumours in Teh- Ashraf left Orly Airport on a wet July ran that the Shah did not completely afternoon and landed some five hours trust his twin sister. In 1948 Ashraf later in Tehran. Under cover of night, had been successful in getting rid of a female friend ushered her to a taxi Ahmad Qavam, the single-minded and took her to a villa at the Saadabad prime minister, in favour of her ally Palace compound belonging to a half- Abol Hossein Hajir. An attempt on brother. When Mossadeq learned of the Shah’s life at Tehran University Ashraf’s presence in the capital he sent in February 1949, brought the twins his martial law chief to tell her that she closer to each other. Ashraf later re- was under house arrest and threatened counted that she had rushed to the her with deportation. Ashraf told him hospital where her brother was being to get lost. The Shah persuaded his treated for his injuries only to faint furious prime minister to let his twin when she saw his uniform covered sister remain for a few more days to in blood. The kingdom was plunged attend to private matters. Ashraf never into greater turmoil when two prime met with her brother but during her ministers, Hajir and Razmara, both stay managed to slip the envelope with recipients of Ashraf’s political sup- the secret message to Queen Soraya port and affection, were assassinated who passed it to the king. Ashraf left by religious fanatics. Reza Khan and his children: for Paris ten days later. These shocking events happened Mohammed Reza (L), Shams (C), and Ashraf to be continued

24 No. 82 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Persepolis (Parsa in Persian) is locat- Gouveia from Portugal described Perse- ed in the present southern Iranian province An Introduction to polis’ cuneiform inscriptions following his of Fars (Pars) and in ancient Persia. It was visit to the site in 1602. the seat of government and summer palace PERSEPOLIS The site was first identified as Perse- (Susa remained the winter residence) of polis, the capital of the Persian Achaeme- the Persian Kings from the early 500’s BY K.E. EDULJEE nid Empire in 1620-21 by Pietro della BCE until its destruction and looting by (Zoroastrian Heritage website) Vallee. Alexander of Macedonia in 330/31 BCE. Jean-Baptiste Chardin (later to be- The site is popularly (and erroneous- east side of the complex butts against the come Sir John Chardin) visited Perse- ly) known as Takht-e Jamshid meaning Kuh-e Rahmat or the Mountain of Mercy. polis on three occasions in 1667, 1673, the Throne (or Palace) of Jamshid. Jam- The Palace complex was brightly and 1674. On his third visit, Chardin was shid was a mythical king whose legend painted. At any time of the day and espe- accompanied by artist Andre Daulier- is part of folklore and he poet Ferdowsi’s cially at twilight, the white-painted col- Deslandes who had previously published Shahnameh. umns and gold-toned roof caps must have a panoramic drawing of the site. Chardin While the present-day Persepolis / afforded a spectacular sight from afar. would argue that the site was not the ruins Parsa site is better known for the ruins The relatively small size of the ruins, of a palace, but that of a temple. His argu- of the royal palace / administrative com- belies the true scale of the township of ment was that palaces were built on river plex, the site also contained the town of Persepolis. The palace was surrounded banks and not on hill slopes. Little did Parsa that existed adjacent to the palace by numerous dwellings. While there is Chardin know of the Zoroastrian admoni- complex, and which presumably housed no estimate of the population, it was in tion not to pollute rivers. Chardin records the workers at palace complex, soldiers, the thousands. the defacement and continued destruc- artisans, crafts persons and other town tion of the ruins by successive Islamic era residents. The town was surrounded by a Site Map governments including Shah Abbas, the fortification wall. The palace complex is built on top of general Imam Koli Khan and even more a 450 m long and 300 m wide i.e. 135,000 so by Khan’s successor. The Building of Persepolis square meter terrace, raised between 7.5 German naturalist, Engelbert Kaemp- At the start of his reign around 521 to 18 meters off the lower slope. fer visited the ruins in 1686 and was the BCE, Darius I, King of Persia (521-486 The terrace is accessed by a double first to call the inscriptions ‘cuneatae’ i.e. BCE) moved his capital from Babylon to stairway that leads to the Gate of Nations cuneiform. Susa, where he started construction on a (also called the Gate of Xerxes). To the left Cornelis de Bruijn (also spelled Cor- grand palace. No sooner had the palace at of the gate is the Apadana or audience hall. nelius de Bruyn, 1652-1727), a Dutch Susa been completed when Darius decided The principle buildings are identified traveler, visited Persepolis between 1704 to build a palace complex in his native in the site plan on the right. and 1705. His account Reizen over Mos- Pars. While the precise date when the ex- kovie, door Persie en Indie published in tensive excavation work at the Persepolis Identification of the Site 1711, contains exquisite drawings. site is not known, it is assumed to have Locally, the site has traditionally Around 1764 CE, Carsten (or started between 518 and 516 BCE. been thought to be the palace of legendary Karsten) Niebuhr (1733 – 1815), a Ger- Darius lived long enough to see a King Jamsheed – therefore its local name, man mathematician, cartographer, and part of his grandiose and ambitious plans Takht-e Jamsheed (the Throne/Palace of explorer, visited the ancient site at Behis- executed. His son and successor Xerxes Jamsheed). Less commonly, the site was tun and made copies of the cuneiform in- I (485-465 BCE) continued construc- also known as Chelminar (Forty-Minarets) scriptions. He visited Persepolis in March tion and the Persepolis we know was for or Sad-Sotun (Hundred-Columns). 1765, and in three weeks and a half copied the main part completed during Xerxes’ In his travelogue, Italian and late- all the texts. His reproductions of the text reign. A foundation inscription at Perse- medieval Franciscan friar, Odoric of Por- engraved in rock faces were prepared so polis states: denone, (also known as Odorico Mattiussi diligently, that few changes have been “When my father Darius passed from or Mattiuzzi and Odoricus), notes that made to them since. the throne, I by the grace of Ahuramazda (around 1320) he passed through Perse- The Persian governor of Shiraz au- became king on my father’s throne. After polis on his way to China. Odoric who had thorized a preliminary excavation in 1878. I became king… I continued work and set out on his travels in 1313, calls the site The Oriental Institute of Chicago added to what my father had built.” Comerum – a name that Austrian scholar commissioned the first thorough archae- Work at Persepolis was completed Alfons Gabriel would later point out was ological exploration headed by Ernst a hundred years after its start during the derived from the name of a nearby village Herzfeld, then Professor of Oriental Ar- reign of Artaxerxes I (464-424 BCE), Xe- – Kenareh. However, Ali Mousavi in his chaeology in Berlin, and assisted by Fritz rxes’ son and heir to the throne. book, Persepolis, points out may also be Schmidt. Their work at the site extended a corruption of Kazerun – another village from 1931 to 1939. Together, Herzfeld and Location of the Site and Size near Bishapur. Schmidt uncovered on the Persepolis Ter- The site is located 60 km northeast of In 1472 or 1474, Venetian traveler race, the Eastern Stairway of the Apadana present day Shiraz, at an altitude of 1,800 Giosafat (or Josaphat) Barbaro visited the and the small stairs of the Council Hall. meters on the eastern perimeter of the ruins of Persepolis and incorrectly sur- Herzfeld was accused of attempting to broad plain called the Marv Dasht basin. mised the ruins of Jewish origin. In his smuggle artifacts out of Iran and had to It is close to the small river Pulwar and the report, the Jornada (1606), Antonio de leave the country.

Summer 2016 25 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Achaemenid Gardens Mehrdad Fakour

The article by Mehrdad Fakour on the Achaemenid Gardens was originally posted in the CAIS website in London hosted by Shapour Suren-Pahlav. Some pictures posted are not featured in the original CAIS posting.

Cyropaedia 5.3.7-13; idem, Oeconomicus 4.13-14; Moynihan, p. 2 and n. 19; Bazin, 1990, pp. 12-13). The earliest gardens on the Iranian plateau associated with An image of a wall in Perspolis palace the Achaemenids are located at Pasargadae, the royal park resi- dence of Cyrus the Great (ca. 559-530 B.C.E.), the founder of the Since the first millennium B.C.E., the garden has been an Persian empire. The royal palaces at Pasargadae were conceived integral part of Persian architecture, be it imperial or vernacular. and constructed as a series of palaces and pavilions placed among In addition to written historical references, archaeological evi- geometrically designed gardens, parterres, and meticulously dence of Achaemenid gardens exists at Pasargadae, Persepolis, hewn and dressed stone water-courses, set in a large formal Susa, and other sites (Xenophon, Oeconomicus 4.20-25; Arrian, park containing various flora and fauna. Recent studies suggest Anabasis 5.29.4-5; Sâmî, pp. 75-77; Stronach, 1978, pp. 107-12; that this garden may have been the model for the subsequent Pinder-Wilson, p. 85; Yamauchi, p. 332 and n. 55). chahârbâgh (q.v.) and hašt behešt (Stronach, 1978, pp. 107-12; The Achaemenids had a keen interest in horticulture and idem, 1989, pp. 475-87). agriculture. Their administration greatly encouraged the efforts From the time of the Achaemenid empire the idea of an of the satrapies toward innovative practices in agronomy, arbori- earthly paradise spread to the literature and languages of other culture, and irrigation. Numerous varieties of plants were intro- cultures. The Avestan word pairidaêza-, Old Persian *paridaida-, duced throughout the empire (Xenophon, Oeconomicus 4.8.10-12; Median *paridaiza- (walled-around, i.e., a walled garden), was Moynihan, pp. 11, 25). transliterated into Greek paradeisoi, then rendered into the Latin Aside from the practical aspects of the garden and its sen- paradisus, and from there entered into European languages, i.e., sual pleasures, royal gardens also incorporated political, philo- French paradis, and English paradise (Oxford English Diction- sophical, and religious symbolism. The idea of the king creating ary XI, pp. 183-84; Yamauchi, pp. 332). The word entered a fertile garden out of barren land, bringing symmetry and order Semitic languages as well: Akkadian pardesu, Hebrew pardes out of chaos, and duplicating the divine paradise on earth, con- (Nehemiah 2:8; Ecclesiastes 2:5; Song of Solomon 4:13), and Arabic stituted a powerful statement symbolizing authority, fertility, ferdaws (Koran 18.107, 23.11). and legitimacy (Eliade, pp. 59-72; Moynihan, p. 20; Faqîh, p. 566; Although the concept of a paradise may be traced back to Stronach, 1990, pp. 171-80). the Sumerian epic of Gilgamish (Kramer, pp. 147-49), it seems the What made gardens special during the Achaemenid reign idea existed independently in the Indo-Iranian tradition, where was that for the first time the garden became not only an integral we find references in the Avesta (Yt. 22.15). part of the architecture, but was also the focus of it. Henceforth gardens were an integral part of Persian culture. Successive A Persian Garden at Eram in Shiraz, Iran; generations of European and Asian monarchs and garden lovers also known as the Eram Garden copied the concept and design of Persian gardens (Xenophon,

Pasargad: Garden with Gateways (from down left to upper right), “Reception Hall,” Pavilion and Throne Building. Reconstruction by Fr. Krefter, AMI, Ergaenzungband 10

26 No. 82 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 five/the last part Dr. Kaveh Farrokh

A) SOVIET against Iran were then flown to deploy an unspecified num- 1982, pp.6.) with close to 300 of “ADVISORS” AND by Russian and East German ber of F-14As to Vahdati by these working as “instructors” THEIR COMBAT pilots. In that same year (1981), May 1981. A fierce engage- for the Iraqi air force (Cooper & MISSIONS FOR THE Iraq received another four Mig- ment then occurred on May Bishop, 2000, pp.176). It is unclear IRAQI AIR FORCE 25RB aircraft, but these too 15, 1981 when an F-4E and an how many of these instructors (1980-1987). remained under strict Russian F-14A each shot down an op- flew the Mig-25s into Iran, es- The first batch of Mig- control. French reports at the posing Mig-21. One of other pecially on September 16 and 25s entered service with the time did note that unspecified F-14As then detected a Soviet- December 1, 1982 (see “Other Iraqi air force in the late 1970s numbers of Iraqi air force Mig- piloted Mig-25RB approach- Mig-25 missions” further below). and were under strict Russian 25s had been custom-fitted ing the Iranian jets; the F-14A Thirty Soviet instructors control. These were ten Mig- with French-made Matra R550 fired a Phoenix missile from worked at Iraq’s H-3 airbase 25PD and Mig-25RB deployed magic MK1 air to air missiles 108 kilometres (the Mig-25 to assist and train the Strategic at the southern Iraqi airbase of (“French Missiles Adapted to Soviet was still in Iraqi airspace). The Iraqi Brigade in flying Mig- Shoaibah near Basra. There Aircraft” Le Monde [in French], April Mig-25RB manoeuvred well 25PD interceptors as well as were also Russian (and num- 28, 1981; “MiG-25s Equipped with and engaged in ECM (elec- Tu-22 and Tu-16K (subsonic) bers of East German) pilots Magic Missiles’?” International De- tronic countermeasures) but bombers. The Soviets soon flying 16 Mig-21MF and 20 fense Intelligence Newsletter [DMS], the Phoenix managed to ex- succeeded in creating the Iraqi Mig-23 Iraqi air force aircraft June 8, 1981, pp.3). plode close to the aircraft. The 10th Composite Reconnais- at Shoaibah. By the outbreak It was in 1981 when the damaged Mig-25 was forced sance Wing (which included of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980, first Soviet-piloted Mig-25 to make an emergency landing the 1st Squadron composed of there were a total of 24 Mig-25s versus F-14 engagements took at Shoaibah. This is the first Iraqi pilots trained to fly Mig- being used for training the Iraqi place during the Iran-Iraq war. known incident during the Iran- 25PDs). All of the Iraqi piloted air force at Shoaibah, with the The Soviets had been involved Iraq war where Soviet-piloted Mig25PD interceptors were aircraft remaining under tight in supporting the Iraqi air Mig-25s engaged in combat then transferred to the Iraqi Soviet control. Shoaibah was force’s operations (flying out against Iranian F-14As. More 17th air force squadron, which heavily bombed by the Iranian of their airbases in the south, Soviet-piloted Mig-25 combat had been flying Mig-21MF and air force from the early days of especially in the Basra region) flights occurred in October Mig-21R combat aircraft. the war in September-October against Iran’s major Vahdati 1981, especially over Kharq More Soviet Mig-25 com- forcing many of the Russian airbase in Khuzestan. Iraqi air Island. No air interceptions bat operations were to follow in and East German pilots and force Mig-21 and Mig-23s (un- occurred as the Mig-25s were 1987. In the early part of No- their aircraft to relocate fur- clear as to how many of these often flying at altitudes of 19 vember 1987 four unmarked ther west to Iraq’s H-3 airbase were Soviet-piloted) had suf- kilometres with speeds of Mach Mig-25BM aircraft of the So- closer to the Jordanian border. fered heavy losses in aircraft 2.2. viet air force arrived in Iraq’s A core of 12-15 Soviet pilots and pilots against Vahdati by At least another 12-15 H-3 airbase. These were flown (known officially as “A de- late April-March 1981. The Soviet-piloted Mig-25 flights by the most experienced Rus- tachment”) and their “Iraqi” strategic situation then swung were to occur in the spring of sian pilots of the Soviet 164th Mig-25PD interceptors were in Iraq’s favour when two 1982. One example reported by Reconnaissance Wing based relocated to Iraq’s H-1 air base squadrons of Mig-21MF armed Iranian air force veteran Shah- in Krzywa, Poland and the in southern Iraq to conduct their with French Matra air to air ram K., was in March 22, 1982 Soviet 198th Reconnaissance combat missions against Iran missiles were rushed into the when a Mig-25RB was tracked Wing from Montshegorsk from that locale. battles (again it is unclear how by Iranian radar heading to- (Kola Peninsula region). The It is known that the So- many of these were Russian wards Tehran’s main Meh- Russian pilots at H-3 were sup- viets had allowed Iraqi pilots and/or East German piloted). rabad airport (personal interview ported by at least 130 person- to fly just four of the Mig-25 Iranian aircraft suffered heavy with author, March 23, 2002; see also nel and supporting equipment fleet inside Iraq by early 1981, losses against the Mig-21MFs Cooper & Bishop, 2004, pp. 39-40). (i.e. weapons, spare parts, etc.) however combat losses of including one F-4D, two F-5s, By October 1982, up to 1500 from the Soviet Union. The So- qualified Iraqi pilots had been one Bell 214C helicopter, and Soviet military “advisors” were viets were quickly prepared for so heavy that all Iraqi-piloted one C-130 Hercules military directly involved with Iraq’s their combat operations against Mig-25 flights were suspended transport plane (Nicolle & Coo- armed forces (Middleton, D., New Iran. After careful planning for the remainder of that year per, 2004, pp.82). The situation Iraqi Strategy is Seen in War with and research (consult Fiszer & – all 1981 Mig-25 missions prompted the Iranian air force Iran, New York Times, October 31st, Gruszzynski. 2001) the Rus-

Summer 2016 27 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E sians selected Iran’s Tactical F-14A on December 1, 1982. two Tu-22Bs attempting to at- in fact accused Moscow of a Airbase 1 at Tehran’s Mehrabad Three days later (December tack Kharq Island. The next day military build-up along the International Airport (defended 4, 1982), another Mig-25RB (March 20, 1988) one of two Iranian borders as early as De- by two HAWK missile batteries flying into northwest Iran was Mig-25RBs attacking Borou- cember 1979 (Rubinstein, 1981, and fourteen F-14A intercep- destroyed by an F-14A; the jerd in Western Iran was shot pp. 607). tors). The first two raids appear latter’s Phoenix missile had down by the Phoenix missile of The Mig-25RB shot down to have had success, especially missed which prompted the an F-14A. The last Mig-25RB over Isfahan on January 14, in the firing of Kh-25MP anti- Mig-25P to decelerate – the F- to be lost was on March 22, 1987 by an Iranian HAWK radar missiles as well as Kh- 14A then fired another Phoenix 1988, when one of two Mig- anti-aircraft missile was indeed 58 air to ground missiles. The which destroyed the Mig-25P. 25RBs attacking Tabriz was flown by an Iraqi pilot; he was HAWKs could not retaliate as The next F-14A versus destroyed by the Phoenix mis- captured alive after his ejection the Russians were flying their Mig-25 encounter took place on sile of an F-14A. and displayed on Iranian TV. aircraft at a ceiling of 21 ki- August 6, 1983. In this incident It is not clear how many The strong possibility of at least lometres that was well above a Mig-25 (exact type unknown) of the cited “Iraqi” Mig-25 partial Russian involvement the HAWKs maximum ceiling was attempting to intercept a combat incidents in 1982-1988 in the aforementioned “non- range of 14 kilometres. No F- passenger airplane when it was involved Soviet instructors/pi- Russian” Mig-25 missions 14As however were damaged fired upon by an F-14A launch- lots. It is also not clear whether derives from two facts (a) the by the Russian attacks. The ing a Phoenix missile from a Russian pilots were involved in consistent shortage of qualified Russians then launched a third distance of 120 kilometres. The Iraqi air force Mig-29 combat Iraqi pilots during the war and attack on November 11, but this Phoenix did not hit the Mig-25 missions against Iranian sup- (b) the significant role of other time the Iranian radars vectored but its explosion close to the ply lines at the Shalamchah non-Russian pilots flying Iraqi onto the approaching Mig-25s. aircraft damaged it, forcing it and Fajr (north of Shalamchah) combat aircraft against Iran One F-14A fired a Phoenix return to Iraq. As it flew back roads during Iran’s Karbala 5 during the war. With respect missile that struck one of the at low level it was sighted by (January 8-February 26, 1987) to the acute shortage of Iraqi Russian jets. Fortunately for the an Iranian F-5 on a bombing and Karbala 8 (April 7-12, pilots, Briganti (1990, pp.33), pilot, the Phoenix failed to ex- mission against Iraqi ground 1987) offensives against Basra Nelan and Fischer (1990, pp.30) plode, however the Mig-25 was targets. The F-5 jettisoned its (Farrokh, 2011, pp. 393-395; Cooper as well as Cordesman and Wag- severely damaged, obliging it bombs quickly and fired two & Bishop, 2000, pp.236). ner (1990, pp. 162, 466) have not- to escape to Iraq where it was AIM-9 missiles that destroyed Just as Iranian ground ed that despite having over 500 forced into a crash landing. The the Mig-25. Two years later on forces were driving towards combat aircraft in 1986 (versus destroyed aircraft was collect- August 20, 1985, one of four Basra, the Soviet Union was perhaps one-tenth that number ed by the Soviets and loaded attacking Mig-25RB aircraft concentrating numerous divi- possessed by Iran at that time), onto Il-76 transport planes that attacking Kharq Island was sions along its southern border the Iraqi air force never pos- flew to the Soviet Union. By destroyed by a Phoenix mis- with Iran; this forced Tehran sessed more than 100 quali- November 15, the other three sile fired by an F-14A. One to shift numbers of its profes- fied pilots of which barely half Mig-25BMs, along with their day before (September 19, sional army contingents away were judged as being at a high Russian pilots and supporting 1985), two Mig-25s (type un- from Iraq and towards the level of combat effectiveness. personnel had also departed for known) had been destroyed as Soviet-Iranian border (Farrokh, This meant that Iraq could at the Soviet Union. they crashed inside Iraq. The 2011, pp. 395). Reports of pro- most fly only one in five of its aircraft had run out fuel as they Iraqi Soviet military attention combat aircraft; the rest of the B) OTHER MIG-25 had been forced into difficult along the Iranian-Soviet bor- Iraqi air fleet could not be made MISSIONS (1982-1988) evasive manoeuvres by Iranian ders began to surface in the operational with the available Russian or Iraqi pilots? ground-based missiles and F- Western media prompting Iraq pool of Iraqi pilots. The first confirmed shooting 14A interceptors. Nearly five to accuse the US of “…mak- Iraq’s chronic shortage down of an Iraqi air force Mig- months later on February 15, ing exaggerated assessments of of qualified pilots led to the 25RB occurred on September 1986, another Mig-25RB was the Soviet military build-ups on recruitment of pilots from nu- 16, 1982. The aircraft (flying shot down over Tehran by the the Iranian borders” (O’Ballance, merous nations into the Iraqi at almost Mach 3) was flying Phoenix missile of an F-14A. 1988, pp.198). In practice, Soviet air force. These flew many towards Kharq Island when it The next known case of an F- forces along the Iranian border combat missions against Iran was shot down by a Phoenix 14A shooting down a Mig-25 were estimated at 24 divisions during the war. One notable missile of one of a pair of Ira- occurred on March 19, 1988 in 1981 (Epstein, 1981, pp.127) example is the attack launched nian F-14A’s. Another Mig- when a pair of F-14As fired with these having risen to 29 against Sirri Island in the Per- 25RB flying towards Kharq several Phoenix missiles result- divisions by 1988 (Entessar, 1988, sian Gulf on August 12, 1986 Island was also shot down by ing in the destruction of one pp.1428). Officials from Iran’s (conducted over a range of a Phoenix missile fired from an of four Mig-25RBs and one of new revolutionary regime had 1,300 kilometers through air

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28 No. 82 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E to air refueling). Cooper and non-Iraqi pilots flying combat Soviet freighter Ivan Koroteev a Soviet freighter and tanker. Bishop (2000, pp.222) have tabu- missions for the Iraqi air force in the Persian Gulf but caused Most significant was the lated 23 mercenary pilots who include Egyptians who led a little damage. This attack may Soviet response in the air on partook in that attack including number of air strikes against have due to suspicions that May 6, 1987, the day the Ivan two Pakistanis (Iqbal Zakiollah Iranian forces during the latter’s the freighter was transporting Koroteev had been attacked. and Shams Alfahi), one Austra- Fao operations in 1986. French weapons for Iraq. Just days Soviet combat aircraft entered lian, one New Zealander, one pilots also flew with the Iraqis later on May 17, 1987, another Iranian airspace fifty times on South African (Russell Cargill), until at least 1984 (French pilots incident occurred in the Persian May 6, 1987 (Polmar, 1991, pp. six Germans, along with two are then reported as remaining Gulf (near the Kuwaiti port of 46). The Soviet aircraft were Belgians (Gustav Miller and in Iraq to act as “advisors” for Al-Ahmadi) when an Iranian most likely Mig-25s flying out Maxwell von Rosen). Many of the Iraqi air force) (Copper & mine damaged a second (Ira- of bases in the Soviet Caucasus. these had arrived to serve with Bishop, 2000, pp.173). nian-chartered) Soviet freighter Iran would have had very few the Iraqi air force as early as (the Marshall Chuikov). This aerial assets to confront the So- 1985. Only two of the pilots C) PERSIAN GULF incident led to a vigorous mili- viet aircraft in 1987-1988. By in the Sirri raid were of Iraqi INCIDENTS AND tary response by the Soviets, that time, Iran’s few operable origin (Cooper & Bishop, 2000, SOVIET FLIGHTS who dispatched their warships F-14As (which were capable p.233, footnote 371). Yet another INTO IRANIAN into the Persian Gulf. While a of confronting the Mig-25s) example of the critical role AIRSPACE (1987) number of confrontations did were stationed well to the south played by non-Iraqi pilots was One of the least known take place between Iranian and to protect Iran’s Persian Gulf the air raid on Larak Island in episodes of the Iran-Iraq war Soviet vessels, none of these re- petroleum assets (especially at the Persian Gulf on Novem- pertains to Soviet combat air- sulted in damage or casualties. Kharq Island); a few F-14As ber 25, 1986, led by the Bel- craft penetrating Iranian air- The most dangerous confronta- were available to defend major gian Max von Rosen (Cooper & space. The best-known episode tion was that between an Ira- cities such as Tehran (Farrokh, Bishop, 2000, pp.231). The latter’s pertains to events that occurred nian frigate (possibly the Sahand or 2011, pp. 397-398, 403). While successes led the Iraqi govern- in the Persian Gulf between Sabalan which were attacked by the more research is required on ment to allow him to fly in a Iranian and Soviet maritime US-Navy on April 14, 1988 – consult the May 6, 1987 Soviet aerial Mig-25, which must have had assets (outlined by Polmar, 1991, Farrokh, 2011, pp. 406-408) and a penetrations of Iran, no reports the tacit approval of the Soviet pp. 46-47). On May 6, 1987 Ira- Sovrenemy-class destroyer, the of Iranian interceptions or air to government. Other examples of nian speedboats attacked the Stoykiy, which was escorting air combats have been reported.

Summer 2016 29 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E A discussion of Mid-Century Imaginary (aesthetic) Art forms

An Interview with Dr. Mehran Sadrosadat Painter and Writer

By: Mohammad Moienfar Editor: “Bagh-e-Khabushan” Quarterly Magazine, Quchan, Iran

Thank you for giving us your passed the exam and started my studies. proud to say that the all four are active in precious time for this inter- During these years I took advantage of the arts and the others architecture and view. Please give us a little traveling all over the European continent, engineering. My older son, Navid is a very background on yourself, your visiting a number of different cities in well known artist in Switzerland. childhood, education, travels Western Europe. The travel restrictions and how you became inter- were minimal and I took advantage of Can you we refer to you as ested in the arts. them. I graduated in 1977 and moved back an Iranian artist or shall we to Iran. call you European because I was born May, 1950 in Quchan, Upon my return to Iran I recognized you finished your studies and Iran, where I lived until the age of 15. Due that I could not survive only as an art- expertise in Italy? to family affairs we moved to Mashad. ist and that I needed to be employed. I There were no art schools, or for that mat- started working at the Arts and Cultural As human beings today we are living ter any school that offered an art program. Institute of Mashad and my responsibili- in a global community, so has our art form There were very few known artists in the ties were to teach classes, attend meetings become global. It doesn’t matter where city of Mashad. and work towards establishing art centers you are from, today all art forms come After a year of military service, I and schools in the country. I am currently together. If I were to isolate myself only to became a teacher as part of the (sepaheh retired but still teach part time. the art forms in Mashad I would be behind, danesh) program that sent high school perhaps 200 years. graduates to remote villages in Iran to Professor can you please We must realize that Iranian artists teach at public schools. elaborate on your personal are very talented but because of limitations The village that I was assigned to was life, your children and your they cannot market their work as success- called Gharpouzabad in the providence of late wife Ms. Hamideh fully as Western artists. In fact, I would Karaj. There was no electricity, running Shahrestani? like to clarify that my return to Mashad water or basic human luxuries. I would from Italy was because I found Western sit at night next to my oil lamp and draw. My wife was beautiful in every way art a bit empty. We must not forget what This went on for a while, I had two and I miss her dearly. Hamideh was born Iranians have endured in the past 35 years, years to decide what major I wanted to in 1961 in the town of Birjand. She was the imposed war, the revolution etc. have pursue as my college career. At the end of raised in a very progressive family who played a tremendous role in the world of my two-year service I decided to move to were well defined as artists and callig- Iranian artists. Rome, Italy this was around 1971. raphers. She did not continue her studies There is a vision that does not ex- At first I went to Toruja and studied even though she was accepted at the Art ist in the West because the experience Italian. I decided to move back to Rome University in Tehran. is not there. In Iran this vision is clearly where the opportunities in arts were un- After our marriage she moved with identified in the works of its artists, but limited. At the time I could have continued me to Mashad where we started our fam- because of Iran’s isolation from the rest my studies in medicine because there were ily. She was a perfectionist, anything she of the world these artists have not been no entrance exams, but these exams were touched she turned into an art form. appreciated as deserved. Just because I required if you were to study the arts. I We had four children together. I am spent a few years studying art in another

30 No. 82 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E country does not make me a Western artist. One cannot judge one’s work without important of a role it plays in I am an Iranian artist with a vision being accused of boasting. But I can say their lives? that brought me back from Italy to Iran, I divide my life work into three parts. My to experience and see what I couldn’t in work was dedicated to that period. The To be honest during my elementary Europe. Lessons in art are not required so period of experimentation, the period of school years in Quchan I use to take a that all become artists, but to succeed in peace and tranquility I felt next to my wife, route to school from my house that would most professions we must have the eye all comes through my work. require more time. It was a longer distance and the hand to draw and create as an art- to cover but I wanted to avoid passing ist. Every building, every structure, every Does any of your work my teachers house. That should tell you invention needs an artist to draw the idea represent current events? how I felt about my teacher. We kept our before it is constructed that is why art is distance, because this is how the relation- such an important path to discovery. When I returned to Iran from Italy we ships were established. still had the Shah of Iran and the Monar- I, on the other hand am very close to Can you briefly touch on how chy in place. I did not want to come back my students. In the art world, the work you see famous artists such as and draw apples and oranges. I started requires you to keep your proximity close Picasso, Da Vinci and other with the drawings of Ferdowsi and the to your students physically and mentally. famous European artists? Shahnameh. As time passed and the revo- If you want to be their mentor, you lution came around, the tragic events of need to limit the distance and try to break First and foremost, the key to their the earthquake of Tabas city that killed all barriers. This is what I choose in my success was the marketing of their work. over 150,000 people impacted me greatly. teaching career. I have seen how the most famous artists Many paintings came out of that era, have published their work in a book. The but none were publicized or placed in any Do you think this was because West has turned the art world into a busi- galleries. So it is important to note that long ago teachers were more ness venture and has taught its citizens to what one feels and paints is not necessar- respected than today? invest in art because there is a return. We ily popular art. don’t have that attitude in Iran. It is unfor- No, I don’t think we need to credit tunate because this is why our artists have Professor not only have you this to the teacher student relationship. not been discovered. There is no capital to been a great Artist but you There are a number of factors that have invest in these artists and our leaders don’t also have been a teacher and impacted this lack of interest and the weak appreciate art as such. a mentor to many of your stu- work ethics. Students are looking solely dents all over the country. Tell to grab a diploma, they have no love for Can you please elaborate on us your thoughts on teacher, their majors, they only go to work as ro- your own work? student relations and how bots and come home. Service is the key,

Summer 2016 31 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E but in Iran we have lost that, and that is the artist’s work. choose in life needs dedication and pas- what is missing in the work place. Lack It is the job of the deans and teachers sion. As long as we have that goal we can of management and lack of work ethics to ask for grants and money to encourage be happy and content with our choices. by management. artists to dedicate their life to their art. Dedication and strong work ethics is what But as artists we need to be compensated brings success. Do you think that an artist is and recognized, otherwise people would closer to God than an average never understand and appreciate the work Please leave us with a few man or woman? of an artist. words of wisdom for our young readers An artist draws upon godly creations Professor after 65 years of and that is why they have a unique connec- life and more than 50 years of Quchan was a very small city, where tion. In different beliefs god is represented dedication to the arts where there was only one main road, all day through a different perspective. The artist do you stand today? long we went up and down this path and draws upon the naked eye. greeted one another. The Quchan where What is not visible at times to the If I were to come back and was re- we inhaled the clean air, and ate the pure average person an artist creates and that in- born I wouldn’t change a thing. I would foods off the land, the Quchan that was spiration perhaps is what brings us closer choose the same career and dedicate my so real and hearty, oh I wish we never to spirituality and the creator, again de- life to the arts as I have most of my adult left Quchan for the city. I wish my family pending on your beliefs. life. The happiness of a man comes from never left it for Mashad and instead we Remember it is not my job as an art- a dedicated loving wife or spouse who devoted ourselves to the enrichment of ist, as a writer or as a creator to go around brings peace and harmony, one’s career this town. and force my work upon the people and and dedication to his or her career. So my message is to think twice have them recognize it. It is the job of the We don’t have to be artists to be dedi- before leaving, making it an empty nest, leaders to create budgets for marketing cated and successful. Any career path we empty as it is your home.

Meet Iranian American Chef, Entrepreneur, and Diplomat: MAZIAR FARIVAR Posted by Noah Ringler Iranian American café is an artsy, upscale Georgetown restaurant, featuring a Chef and co-owner more American and health-conscious menu. Over the years, of Peacock Café in Persian recipes, such as Naaz Khatoon (roasted eggplant with Washington, DC, Ma- pomegranate), Albaloo polo (a rice and sour cherries dish), ziar Farivar sat down and Qaymeh (a lamb and split pea stew topped with match for an interview with stick potatoes) have been added and very well received by PAAIA to discuss his the D.C. community. life, career and diplo- By sprinkling these traditional Persian dishes with a matic endeavors. contemporary twist in his menu, Farivar hopes to educate the In 2015, Maziar wider community about his cultural heritage, one that spans was chosen to be the centuries and is rich in art, literature and architecture. Through chef for the inaugural White House Norouz celebration hosted his embrace of Iranian cuisine, Farivar strives to put a more by Michelle Obama. Given only a few days notice, he put positive face to the country and its culture, separate from the together a phenomenal menu featuring traditional items such political situation. as sabzi polo (herb rice) and fish, kuku sabzi (a Persian frit- Farivar is recognized by the U.S. Department of State as tata with fresh herbs), tomato cucumber salad and a yogurt a culinary diplomat and in 2012, he was nationally recognized cucumber side. At the request of the Iranian American White as one of the most prominent chefs and culinary leaders. As the House staff, Farivar also included kabob on the menu, as it is State Department came to the realization that diplomatic meet- always a crowd favorite. ings and negotiations go better with great food, the American Interestingly, Farivar does not have extensive experience Chef Corp was created. Farivar was one of the 90 celebrity with traditional Persian cuisine. He has not set foot in Iran chefs chosen to take part since he moved in 1978, just before the fall of the Shah and the in this new endeavor. Us- launch of the Islamic revolution. Like most youth living away ing food as a commonly from home for the first time, Farivar learned to cook through shared experience, he has creating makeshift Thanksgiving dinners and waiting tables at travelled to Italy twice to Jeremiah Tower’s Stars. These humble beginnings sparked a represent the United States passion that would lead to opening the Peacock Café with his in a multi-nation cook-off younger brother and business partner, Shahab. Today, Peacock competition.

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