The Farhang Foundation Launches to Support Iranian Arts and Culture in Southern California

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 24, 2008) – The Farhang Foundation (farhang.org) today officially announced its launch as a non-profit foundation with a mission to support the study and research of Iranian history, art and culture and to promote and celebrate that culture and heritage for the benefit of Iranian-Americans and the community at large in Southern California.

“Farhang Foundation was formed by Iranian-American community leaders and philanthropists who recognize that while Iranians form one of the largest and most successful ethnic minorities in Southern California, we are not working together to promote our rich cultural heritage here, in our new home,” said Farhang Foundation Chairman, Ali C. Razi.  “We hope that Farhang Foundation can contribute to making Iranian arts and culture a celebrated part of Southern Californian living and a point of pride for the Iranian-Americans who live here.”

The Farhang Foundation has been privately endowed to date by its board members and has brought on Dr. Touraj Daryee, a noted Iranian scholar and Professor of Iranian Studies at UC Irvine, as its President.

“I joined Farhang Foundation because it has brought together a good group of people with energy and resources to put to the task of helping Iranian-Americans and the whole community learn about our wonderful culture,” said Dr. Daryaee. “With the slate of programs that we have already started to fund, I am very hopeful that this organization will make a major contribution to Iranian cultural appreciation in Southern California.”

The Farhang Foundation has already co-sponsored three cultural events, including The Sights and Sounds of Mystic Persia with Keyhan Kalhor at the Hollywood Bowl, and has a full program of academic lectures, cultural events and art exhibitions it will be supporting in the coming year.  These can be found on the events section of its website (farhang.org/events), alongside many other Iranian cultural events that members have uploaded.

“We built our website at farhang.org to be a social network and hub for all who are interested in finding out about or letting others know about interesting Iranian art, cultural or academic events that are happening in Southern California and beyond,” said Dr. Daryaee.  “The site has already registered hundreds of members, which tells us that Farhang Foundation is definitely providing a service that our community has needed.”

Going forward Farhang Foundation plans to continue sponsoring Iranian artists and to co-sponsor cultural and academic programs in cooperation with institutions such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, University of California Irvine, University of California, Los Angeles and California State University, Fullerton.

About Farhang Foundation

Farhang Foundation is a non-religious, non-political and not-for-profit foundation established in 2008 with the mission of supporting, promoting and celebrating Iranian art and culture in Southern California.  The foundation funds and sponsors artists, performances and cultural events and promotes these on its website, farhang.org.

The foundation also supports the study and research of Iranian History, Art and Culture with the cooperation of academic and cultural institutions by funding university programs, publications and conferences.

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Media Contact:

Touraj Daryaee

949-824-6521

info@farhang.org