FESTIVAL OF WORLD RENEWAL

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SPECIAL THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2013 NOWRUZ PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

NOWRUZ CELEBRATION

OUR VOLUNTEERS

OUR SPONSORS

Dr. Linda Komaroff for her continued commitment to programming in support of Iranian art and culture.

Jilana Stewart for her positive energy and dedication to Farhang Foundation’s programs at LACMA.

LACMA and Staff for their ongoing support of Iranian art and culture, especially the annual Nowruz celebration.

The Audio/Visual Team at LACMA for their professionalism and teamwork.

KIRN670 AM Radio Iran for their continued support and promotion of Farhang’s programs.

Dr. Latifeh Hagigi for coordinating the Nowruz youth program and activities with the support of UCLA Iranian Studies Program Student and Staff Volunteers.

Mahshid Sohaili for her support in the coordination of our beautiful Haft-Sîn.

Neda Rouhani for spearheading the Nowruz youth programming and for her enthusiasm and commitment to its success and growth.

Maryam Zar for coordinating and organizing the young children’s volunteer group, along with help and support from their parents.

Shida Pegahi (Pacific Arts Center) for her continued support of Farhang’s Nowruz programming for youth by providing traditional Persian costumes.

Ardeshir Radpour for bringing to life the grandeur of Persian history through recreating Achaemenid period characters.

Chef Jason Fullilove for bringing his culinary passion and creative vision to our celebration through Persian cuisine.

Ballet Afsaneh’s talented performers for their beautiful representation of Persian dances.

Nowruz Committee Chair: Ahmad Gramian, TrusteeFilm Festival Committee Chair: Mark Amin, TrusteeProgram Director: Bita Milanian Operations Manager: Sara MizbanCyrus Cylinder Project Manager: Nazbanoo SedghiFilm Festival Manager: Sanam ZahirPublic Relations: Heather Burgett, The Burgett GroupSpecial Projects Director: Haydeh ShirmohammadiGraphic Design: SAM Arts Design Studio

Funding for this program was provided by Farhang Foundation with contributions from its board of trustees, council members, sponsors and friends of Farhang.

Film FestivalAward Ceremony & Reception Master of Ceremony: Shirin Rajaee – ABC Santa Barbara News AnchorScreenings of the top film contenders, created by emerging talents from all over the world, as well as recognition of the top three winners of this year’s competition. An exclusive reception with the winners and other filmmakers follows, featuring Persian-themed appetizers, specially created for this event by Chef Jason Fullilove.

Seating is limited, tickets available at LACMA box office.

Sam Siãvash AnvãriSusan ArashebenAli AssadianAfarin DavariAnjelita FloresBehrooz GhavamiCameron HajialiakbarYasi HaririAni HonarchianDonya HosseinianKimia KarianAren KhanbabaeiCal MargulisSahar MeshkatNahim MizanPaimon MohammadionRoxanne MoinParastoo MoradnooriMichelle QuayAli RazaviGuity RohaniShayan SafarBayan SalehiLaily SharifzadehSahba ShayaniSharare ShobeirianSonya TamaddonNegar TavasoliSteven TohmasiYasmeen TsipenaLilliana ZarRose Zarghani

DIAMOND Gursey | Schneider LLPMaximum Difference FoundationMerrill LynchTurkish AirlinesWells Fargo

PLATINUMRitmo MundoSBE

GOLDBuchalter NemerJohn & Hilda Arnold FoundationNorooz Celebration FoundationPrimex

SILVERCity National BankDARIOUSHEast West BankHealthEZMorgan Stanley | Smith BarneyRamineh, Fani, Nowakthar & RashidiUnion Bank

March 16, 20136:00 – 9:00 p.m.

March 17, 201311:30 A.M. – 7:00 p.m.

All Day

11:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

NOON - 5:00 P.M.

NOON - 3:00 P.M.

2:00 to 3:00 P.M.

5:00 to 7:00 P.M.

Thank You!

Haft-Sîn Display (Los Angeles Times Central Courtyard)

Shahr-e Farang – Peep Show (Leo S. Bing Theater Lobby)

The North American première of ‘Between the motion / And the act / Falls the Shadow’ by Farideh Lasha’i (Los Angeles Times Central Courtyard)

Docent-led Gallery Tours of LACMA’s Art of the Middle East Collection (Hammer Building & Ahmanson Building)

Persian-themed Cuisine by Chef Jason Fullilove at Patina (Throughout Campus and Plaza Café)

Children & Youth Program (Director’s Roundtable Garden)Story Reading, Photo Booth & Calligraphy for Youth

Screening of the Top 6 Films2013 Farhang Short Film Festival (Brown Auditorium)Open to all, limited seating, no tickets required. Films shown on a loop.

Persian Empire Scavenger Hunt (Throughout Campus)Traditional Persian Dancers (Throughout Campus)

Official Nowruz Program (Leo S. Bing Theater)Featuring World Premiere Performance of “The Dawn of Spring” by Shahin YousefzamaniThrough a dynamic fusion of music, dance, storytelling and video imagery, this enchanting performance explores the colorful and ancient tradition of Nowruz and its many delightful rituals that continue to bring joy to various peoples of the world.

Seating is limited, tickets available at LACMA box office.

Live Musical Performance by Rana Mansour and KARMANDAN by Erwin Khachikian, together with DJ KABO (BP Grand Entrance)Free and open to all, no tickets required.

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Children & Youth Program

11:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.Story Reading, Photo Booth & Calligraphy for Youth Director’s Roundtable GardenCoordinated by UCLA Iranian Studies Program Student and Staff Volunteers

The children & youth program during Nowruz Celebration at LACMA has grown over the past four years. Every year, the UCLA Iranian Studies Program volunteers design an array of activities related to Nowruz and Iranian culture for children. This year’s activities include: Haft Sîn, egg decorating, Persian calligraphy illustrations by Zia Erfanian, storytelling, photo-booth, along with music, dancing and much more!

Live music provided by Shayan Safar & Yasi Hariri - “Solh” (Peace) Ensemble.

This year, the program has been expanded to include a Photo Booth, in addition to a Persian Costume Photo Stand, where children can take photos dressed in traditional festive Iranian costumes, designed by Neda Rouhani. We hope to see your photos on www.farhang.org!

Sheida Koufigar, an Iranian-American graphic designer currently studying at California State University, Long Beach, was named the winner of this year’s banner contest, which called upon the public to submit designs that visually represent the spirit of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year.

Nowruz Banner Design WINNERSHEIDA KOUFIGAR

When designing the Nowruz banner, my goal was to imply a sense of nostalgia by depicting familiar images in a modern and minimalist style,” said Sheida Koufigar. “One of the most memorable aspects of Nowruz is the Haft-Sîn, the traditional centerpiece of the Iranian New Year that depicts the various harmonious elements of life and rebirth. The ‘mahi va tong’ (goldfish and bowl) is a familiar and beloved fixture of the Haft-Sîn that represents the joyful celebration of life and new beginnings.

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Sheida Koufigar

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WWW.FARHANGFILMFEST.ORG

Top Six Nominees2013 Farhang Short Film Festival

In its fifth consecutive year, the 2013 Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival officially opened to the global community in November of 2012. We called upon the public to submit short films visualizing some aspect of Iranian art, history, culture, crafts, geography, cuisine, or lifestyle that would inspire and spark the audience’s interest in learning more about Iranian heritage.The Top 6 films will be screened and the winners will be announced live at the Bing Theater on March 16th, competing for $10,000 (first prize), $5,000 (second prize), and $3,000 (third prize). The Top 6 will be shown on loop at the Brown Auditorium on March 17th. Thank you to this year’s participants. Your creativity and passion for Iranian heritage and cinematic arts inspire us all!Special gratitude to this year’s Film Festival Committee for their dedication to Farhang Short Film Festival:

The 2013 Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival received 72 entries by filmmakers from around the globe including: Iran, Canada, USA, India, Nepal, Armenia, France, UK, Australia and Bangladesh to name a few. We are thrilled to announce that Farhang Foundation has selected the above six submissions as the finalists of this year’s online film contest, based on their originality, creativity, storytelling, production value, and visualization of Iranian heritage.

Mark AminNiloofar BadieHassan Ildari

Mahnaz NewmanBabak Payami

And We Pass By - Parisa Gorgin (IRAN)

Karbafi - International Institute of Jame Mirase Jahan (IRAN)

Namaki - Hajar Mehrani (IRAN)

Distant Words - Nassiem Valamanesh (AUSTRALIA)

Khourosh Ali Khan - Ramtin Nikzad (USA)

Rostam In WonderLand - Sohrab’s BloodPouya Afshar and Soroush Rezaee (IRAN)

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THE Dawn of springThrough a dynamic fusion of music, dance, storytelling and video imagery, this enchanting performance explores the colorful and ancient tradition of Nowruz and its many delightful rituals that continue to bring joy to various peoples of the world.

Shahin YousefzamaniProducer & Composer

Shahin Yousefzamani was born on October 10, 1975 in Iran. He graduated from the Tehran Conservatory and performed with Tehran Symphony Orchestra (1992-2005). He has performed internationally with many renowned artists including Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Iraj Bastami, Khashayar Etemadi and Alireza Assar. Since 2007, Shahin has performed with many symphony orchestras in Southern California. He has toured internationally with the legendary Googoosh. Shahin’s compositions include Dasht by Homayoun Shajarian; Fantasia Shoushtari, conducted and recorded by Professor Thomas Christian David; Faghat To by the pop music group, Black Cats; and Sarzamin Man by Faezeh.

2pm - Leo S Bing TheaterSeating is limited, tickets available at LACMA box office.

Production Coordinator: Hoda MenhajSpecial Thanks to “No-Ava” ChorusSoha DolatabadiFarah GhavamiMojgan MozaffariNahid NodoostFereshteh Rezaee-farSoheila Saboori

Dimitris Jimmy Mahlis Oud

Oudist, guitarist and composer, Dimitris “Jimmy” Mahlis is a composer whose pieces have set a standard in cross-cultural pollination.Dimitris was recently featured on the soundtrack of the award winning film “Argo” and has worked with A.R. Rahman, Axiom Of Choice, Mamak Khadem, Ramesh Misra, Hamed Nikpay, and other renowned musicians.

Amanda MaltzDancer

Amanda Maltz is a dancer/choreographer from Houston, TX. She studied Marketing Commu-nications with minors in Psychology and Dance at Emerson College where she was a dancer, choreographer, and programing director for the Emerson Dance Team, Emerson Urban Dance Theater, Emerson Dance Company, and X Dance (2009 and 2010).

Shahla SarokhaniNarration & Vocals

Shahla began studying opera with the noted teacher Fakhereh Saba. After a year-long series of performances at the famous Roudaki Hall, she moved to Vienna to pursue her opera studies. In Europe, Shahla performed at various concerts in Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. Upon moving to the United States, she started her study of traditional Persian music with masters Morteza Vaziri, Mohammadreza Lotfi, and Hossein Omoumi.

Ramin YousefzamaniPercussions

Ramin Yousefzamani is a violinist, percus-sionist and singer who was a member of Tehran’s symphony orchestra for 23 years and has performed in many countries including Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Qatar, Turkey, Kuwait, and Dubai. A passionate percussionist, Ramin has performed with numerous pop bands in Iran.

Ashley MaiettaChoreography & Dancer

Ashley is a recent graduate of Emerson College and a dancer, choreographer and music marketer from Orange County, CA. Proficient in multiple styles of dance, Ashley works as a freelance choreogra-pher and photographer, and is currently working with a start-up music academy and private production label in Southern California.

Doris MartelChoreography & Dancer

Doris Martel is a professional dancer who was born and raised in Paris, France. In fusing African, Middle Eastern, Persian, Indian, Latino, Afro- Cuban and Brazilian dance, she believes she is able to represent the diverse ethnicities and nationalities that now define French culture. She has choreographed and danced for Wu Tang Clan, les Nubians, Greg Ellis, and other notable artists.

Alireza SoroushVideo Director

Director, writer, and photographer, Alireza Soroush graduated with a Certificate of Vocatio- nal and Technical Skills in Iran. He has worked on various international films, live events, and television commercials as a cameraman, director, and editor; experiences he feels have been both challenging and rewarding at once.

Navid KandelousiKamancheh & Setar

Navid Kandelousi has studied Western classical music in Italy (Verdi Conservatory) and Moscow. Since 1999, Navid has performed as a soloist in the Iranian National Orchestra and has been invited to play violin in numerous European symphonies. As a member of the Gateway Symphony in New York City, Navid has performed as First Violin at several concerts. He is currently working with Maestro Danial Philips in Queens College of Music.

Ruben HarutyunyanSorna & Duduk

Ruben Harutyunyan began playing music at the age of 7. Upon graduating from high school, he attended the Aram Khacheturyan College of Music. Ruben has served as a director and soloist for the Altounian State Folk Ensemble of Armenia and a duduk teacher at the Armenian International Music School in Glendale.

Rachel LindsayDancer

Rachel Lindsay is a senior at Emerson College, majoring in Writing for Film and Television. Proficient in various styles of dance, Rachel has performed with companies including Dance Del Bello and Boston Community Dance Project. In her spare time, Rachel performs with T4Y (Youth Theater Group) and dabbles in freelance photography.

World Premiere

Marrin GoodallDancer

Marrin is a dancer and entertainment creative, based out of Orange County, CA. A proud graduate of Emerson College, Marrin performs at The Disneyland Resort while writing and producing her debut musical project.

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KARMANDAN by Erwin Khachikian

DJ KABO

Karmandan, in Persian language, literally translates to blue-collar office workers. The songs are written and produced by Erwin Khachikian, an Armenian-born in Iran and raised in America. Performed in Persian, English and Armenian, Karmandan’s song subject-matter reflects modern life issues and concerns; from the pressures of plastic surgery for a media-accepted look, to making an attempt to understand others’ differences to respect one another for a better place for all to live.

The band has performed and appeared on nationally acclaimed networks such as BBC numerous times, and they have performed sold out shows and festivals both in and outside of the USA. Since the official release of their debut album, their unique stage look and videos have grabbed the attention of many.

In this theatrical 4-piece band, the members wear different costumes while on stage. The costumes used in the past, such as a $100 bill outfit, a bearded old jeweler, a plastic surgeon, a war sergeant, a school nerd, and a guy dressed as a girl, all bring some clever and tasteful comical aspects to Karmandan’s live show.

Karmandan continues to look for opportunities to express their artistic work in other countries and hopes for a day when they can perform in Iran.

RANA MANSOURNever having been to Iran, this American-born Iranian is nonetheless influenced by her heritage, and she expresses this by uniting musical elements from both the East and the West. This unique infusion has resulted in some very exciting opportunities for Rana.

The rising star was recently seen performing her original song entitled “No Place Like Home” on the last few episodes on Bravo TV’s hit show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Her first Persian hit, called “Shohare Pooldaar” (Rich Husband) was the highlight performance for Voice of America’s Nowruz program in March of 2012, racking up tens of thousands of internet plays and views in a matter of weeks. Her debut Persian music video, “Baroon”, was released internationally on RadioJavan and TMTV gaining her both popularity and thousands of fans in Iran.

Aside from her recent success, Rana’s background is also nothing short of impressive. At 3, she was already picking notes out on the piano and singing along to Hayedeh, a Persian pop vocal icon. At 6, she began formal piano instruction with one of Iran’s masters of music, Golnoush Khaleghi. In 2005, Rana became a Finalist of the VH1 ‘Song of the Year’ Competition, very soon after earning her Bachelor’s in Music with Honors at the acclaimed Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

Currently, Rana lives in Los Angeles where she is working with producer Erwin Khachikian on releasing her upcoming songs.

www.RanaMusic.comwww.facebook.com/RanaMansourMusic

DJ KABO has quickly become one of the most sought after and successful DJ’s in Southern California with 8+ years of experience. DJ KABO is an artist known for spinning all genres of music. His distinctive mixes are highly-regarded and blend International Hits, House, and Top-40. He has the talent to produce an event of the highest caliber for any occasion. Kabo and his team will work with you every step of the way to create the most elaborate event. Kabo’s performances incorporate live musicians such as percussionists, saxophonists, violinists and other musicians, as well as an out-of-this-world light show. DJ Kabo performs at all types of private and public events, in Ballrooms to the hottest venues in Hollywood. DJ KABO’s standing as one of the top Persian DJ’s in SoCal has helped him to spin at events he used to only dream of. As of 2012, he has become the head of the XIII Caliber Nightlife Group and will continue to produce his own events.

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Ali C. Razi – ChairmanHormoz AmeriMark AminDar Gabbay Shazad GhanbariAhmad Gramian - Vice Chairman

Amir HemmatDarioush KhalediFasha MahjoorRon MavaddatAria MehrabiFarhad Mohit - Vice Chairman

Anoosheh M. OskouianHooshang PakShidan Taslimi

Management TeamBita Milanian - Executive DirectorHassan Izad - Chief Financial OfficerShahram Soleimani - SecretarySara Mizban – Operations ManagerNazbanoo Sedghi – Cyrus Cylinder Project ManagementSanam Zahir – Film Festival ManagerHaydeh Shirmohammadi - Special Projects DirectorDavid W. Newman - Legal Counsel (Pro Bono)

Fine Arts CouncilRoshi Rahnama – ChairAmir AnghaLadan BehniaAzadeh DadgostarAti FarmaniShazad Ghanbari – TrusteeHoma MahmoudiHooshang Pak – TrusteeMaryam PakAnousheh Razi

Patron CouncilAbdi Rais – ChairPouria AbbassiNazfar AfsharFarhad BaharAhmad Gramian – TrusteeAmir Hemmat – TrusteeAfshin KatebAJ Safavi

UCLA CouncilMark Amin – TrusteeFarhad Mohit – TrusteeAli C. Razi – TrusteeMehran TaslimiShidan Taslimi – Trustee

Generations CouncilAmir Hemmat – Chair, TrusteeAli FakhariFarhad Mohit – Co-Chair, TrusteeSara PakSheila Parsa

Orange County CouncilMajid Zarrinkelk – ChairShazad Ghanbari – TrusteeGilda Gilak – SecretaryFariba HezarAssad KazeminyDarioush Khaledi – TrusteeSharo KhastooParmis KhatibiTannaz MazareiAnoosheh M. Oskouian – TrusteeDariush Rachedi

Iranian Studies CouncilHaleh Emrani – ChairAmir AalamCyrous AdamiMehrdad AmanatAkbar AzadHoushang DadgostarAhmad Gramian– TrusteeHassan Izad - CFORon Mavaddat – TrusteeMichael SaeiSussan SharifianFarrok Yazdi

Advisory CommitteeTouraj Daryaee - University of California Irvine - Academic CoordinatorJanet Afary - University of California Santa BarbaraAmin Banani - University of California Los AngelesElizabeth Carter - University of California Los AngelesFereshteh Daftari - Independent Scholar and CuratorLayla Diba – Independent Scholar and CuratorArash Khazeni - Pomona CollegeLinda Komaroff - Los Angeles County Museum of ArtAfshin Matin-Asgari - California State University Los AngelesSheida Mohamadi - Poet-in Residence at Maryland UniversityAli Mousavi - Los Angeles County Museum of ArtShirin Neshat - Modern ArtNasrin Rahimieh - University of California IrvineShardad Rohani - COTA Symphony Orchestra - Los AngelesKourosh Taghavi - Namâd Ensemble

Board of Trustees

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Coming to Los Angeles

The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning

J. Paul Getty Museum at the

Getty Villa

October 2 – December 2, 2013

“One of the great declarations of human aspiration. It stands with the American constitution. It says far more about real freedoms than Magna Carta.”

~ Neil McGregor, Director of British Museum

THE CYRUS CYLINDER TOUR 2013

Farhang Foundation is proud to be the sole sponsor making it possible for the Cyrus Cylinder Tour 2013 to be presented at the Getty Villa in Los Angeles, home of the largest Iranian community outside of Iran. For many Americans and diaspora community members, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this iconic artifact from the ancient world and to learn what it represents. This historic five city tour was organized by the British Museum in partnership with the Iranian Heritage Foundation and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.

THE SIGNIFICANCE

The Cyrus Cylinder, a 2600-year old clay object, inscribed in Babylonian cuneiform:

• Is often referred to as the first bill of human rights• Evokes the ideals of freedom, tolerance and diversity• Is viewed by Biblical scholars as evidence of Cyrus’

policy of setting the Jewish people free

Furthermore,

• The Founding Fathers of the United States sought inspiration from Cyrus and his governing methods

• A replica of the Cylinder is on display at the United Nations Headquarters in New York as a symbol of tolerance and freedom

PROGRAMS IN THE WORKS

• Educational Materials / Tours for Teachers• Lecture Series at major universities / Getty• Panel Discussions at major universities / Getty• Film Screenings• Performing Arts

A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY

Our goal is to utilize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to:

• Educate the community at large on the role of Cyrus and Ancient Iran in the history of freedom and human rights

• Promote Cyrus’ message of respect for humanitarian values and diverse faiths

• Showcase Iranian Cultural Values as a contributor to the ideals and values that have been memorialized in the US constitution

LET’S MAKE HISTORY TOGETHER!

Join the Cyrus Leadership Patrons by becoming a sponsor.

For more information, emailcyruscylinder@farhang.org

For more info visit: www.farhang.org/cyruscylinder

With the coming of spring may peace, tranquility and love reign

on earth and for all people.

Best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year.

Printup Press & GraphicsProudly Supports

Farhang Foudation&

LACMA

Wishing a Happy Nowruz to the

Iranian AmericanCommunity

For more info visit: www.farhang.org/cyruscylinder

Proudly sponsored by

LET’S MAKE HISTORY TOGETHER!Join the Cyrus Leadership Patrons by becoming a sponsor. For more information, emailcyruscylinder@farhang.org

Coming to Los Angeles

The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning

J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty VillaOctober 2 – December 2, 2013