Thursday, October 20, 2005
145. جهان كتاب ِ تازه: رهنمونِ دوستداران ِ كتاب و فرهنگ
144. كتابي تازه در يك قلمرو ِ ناپژوهيده ي ِ ايران شناختي
تاريخ لذت در ايران
مهدی خلجی
پژوهشگر تاريخ و مطالعات اسلامی
در طلب کام، دخانيات و مشروبات در تاريخ ايران، از عصر صفوی تا دوره ي مشروطيت، کتابی است نوشته ي ِ رودی ماتی، استاد تاريخ در دانشگاه دليور در ايالات متّحد امريكا و يكي از آثار بديع و برجسته اي كه در قلمرو ِ ايران شناسي ، به تازگي انتشاريافته است.
مراد نويسنده از "دخانيات" هرگونه مواد مخدّر است از ترياک گرفته تا توتون و تنباکو. همچنين از "مشروبات"نويسنده هم به مشروبات الکلی نظر دارد و هم به نوشيدنیهای وارداتی مانند قهوه.
اين کتاب با انواع و اقسام مواد سکرآور يا فعالکننده ذهن و روان سروکار دارد که دماغ ايرانيان را تر میکرد و آنها را سر کيف يا سر ذوق و وجد میآورد.
مورّخان ِ چيزهای ِ خُرد
نوشتن تاريخ پديدههايی چون قهوه، شراب، توتون و تنباکو در غرب، از نيمه دوم سده بيستم آغاز شد و دامنهای گسترده يافت. اکنون پژوهشهای روشنگری در دست است درباره تاريخ شب، روز، خواندن، نوشتن، غذا، لباس زير، چرخ، اندام انسان و هر چيز "خرد و جزيی" ديگری که روزگاری در خور تاريخنويسی به شمار نمیآمد.
نوشتن تاريخ اين پديدهها که واقعيتِ ملموس و عينی جامعه و فرهنگ هستند، برآمده از انقلابی عظيم در نگارش تاريخ و نگرش به تاريخ است.
در پی اين انقلاب که در دهههای آغازين سده بيستم صورت بست، تاريخنگاران تاريخ را ديگر گزارش صنعتکرد ِ قهرمانان، پيامبران، پادشاهان و جنگ و صلح و افت و خيز آنها ندانستند و همراه با تحولات در فلسفه و علوم انسانی، روند تاريخ را پيچيده و برخاسته از عوامل گوناگون ارزيابی کردند.
اگر به قول تولستوی، در جنگ و صلح، موضوع تاريخ "زندگی مردمان و بشريت" است، تاريخ به مفهوم کلاسيک آن که "تاريخ رسل و ملوک" و شرح فتح و ظفر و حکايت هزيمت و زوال آنان بود چه اندازه از سرگذشت آدمی را بازمیتاباند؟
در نگرش تازه به تاريخ، "فايده تاريخ" ديگر آموختن عبرت نبود؛ بلکه شناخت انسان بود. پس لاجرم تاريخ میبايست همه سويهها و سايههای زندگی انسانی را فراگيرد و تاريخی شود از سرگذشت هر انسان، چه رعيت چه پادشاه، ستمگر يا ستمديده، دانشمند يا سادهلوح.
قهوه و تاريخ
از آنجا که ما آدميان در تعامل با جهان زندگی میکنيم تاريخ هر پديدهای که در شبکه روابط انسانی ما جاگرفته يا تاريخ هر يک از رفتارهای ذهنی يا عينی ما بخشی از سرشت انسانی است که بر پهنه تاريخ گسترده میشود و آگاهی از آن ما را به تودرتويی، رنگارنگی و دگرگونی مدام "ذات" بشر رهنمون میگردد.
بدين روی، مثلاً تاريخ قهوه، تنها تاريخ ماده تلخ و سياه نوشيدنی نيست؛ تاريخ انسان است که در رويارويی با قهوه چه انديشيده و چه کرده؛ و اين جوشانده غليظ در روابط اجتماعی، ساختار سياسی و حتا مناسبات اقتصادی او چه اثری برجا نهاده است.
بر اين بنياد، تاريخ يک جامعه، فرهنگ و روابط قدرت حاکم بر آن را میتوان از ورای تاريخ اين جرم تيره، روشن کرد. رودی ماتی با اين نگرش به سراغ پژوهش تاريخ نوشيدنیها و دودکردنیها در چهار سده مهم تاريخ ايران رفته است.
شراب و سرخوشی در جوامع اسلامی
پژوهشهای زيادی درباره مصرف مواد سرخوشیآور در جوامع ديگر پيش از دوران مدرن و پس از آن صورت گرفته است. در اين پژوهشها تأکيد شده که اين مواد نه تنها نقش مهمی در بازرگانی و تجارت داشتهاند که نمادها و نشانههايی از شعاير دينی، مناسبات اجتماعی و تغييرات سياسی نيز بودهاند. اما متخصصان خاورميانه، بسی ديرتر از تاريخنگاران جوامع غربی به سراغ نوشتن تاريخ واقعيتهای مادی از اين دست رفتهاند.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
143. سال ِ اشك ِ پوري / سال ِ خون ِ مُرتضي ...
سپرده بدانان، براي سركوب دنباله ي خيزش و جنبش رهايياز راست به چپ: مرتضي كيوان، سرهنگ مبشّري، سروان افراخته، سروان مدني و سرهنگ سيامك،دمي پيش از سپيده دم 27 مهر 1333 و تيرباران شدن
* * *
امّا مرتضي كيوان كه همراه با نخستين گروه از سرداران سرافراز ِ آزادي جان باخت، به گناه ِ نابخشودني ي ِ تامين ِ خانه و پناهگاه براي افسران ِ پنهان شده، به چنگ دُژخيمان افتاده بود. او مردي به راستي فرهيخته و بسيار پيشتر از زمان ِ خودش بود. سطر به سطر ِ همه ي نوشته هاي برجا مانده از اين روشنفكر ِ راستين و آزادانديش ژرف بين گواهي است بر منش والاي او در زندگي ي فردي و اجتماعي و كار و كوشش هاي ادبي اش.
كيوان با همه ي نوده اي گري اش، زنجيري و پاي بسته ي جزم هاي مرامي و فرموده هاي آيه وار ِ حزبي نبود و همواره آزادانديش و چون و چراگو باقي ماند. براي نمونه، در زماني كه نسخه ي رئاليسم سوسياليستي ي ژدانفي براي ادبيّات سراسر جهان تجويز مي شد و هرگونه سرپيچي از آن در حكم انحراف و گناهي بزرگ به شمار مي آمد، او در يكي از نوشته هايش، آشكارا به انتقادي زيركانه از اين آيه ي مطلق پرداخت و ديدگاه هاي انديشه ورانه ي خود را در تقابل ِ با آن شرح داد. كار و كوشش فرهنگي و ادبي ي ِ مرتضي كيوان تنها در روزنامه نگاري و نقد و بررسي ي كتاب و ترجمه و ويرايش خلاصه نمي شد؛ بلكه با كشف توان و گنجايش فكري و ادبي در هريك از دوستان و معاشرانش، به ياري ي او مي شتافت و با گونه اي احساس خويشكاري مي كوشيد تا استعداد نهفته در وي را شكوفا و بارور كند. تاثير ژرف ِ دل سوزي هاي او در حق ّ نسلي از روشنفكران و اهل قلم آن زمان، انكارناپذيرست و اشاره هاي فراواني بدان در نوشته هاي آن نسل، ديده مي شود. از همين رو بود كه پايان خونبار زندگاني ي كوتاه؛ امّا سرشارش، همه ي آن نسل ر
ا در بُهتي شگفت و اندوهي ژرف فروبرد.
مرتضي كيوان در واپسين روزهاي زندگي در چنگال ِ دُژخيمان
بسياري از نويسندگان و شاعران و مترجمان و پژوهشگران ِ همگام و همنشين با كيوان، در سروده ها و نوشته هايي با ياد او با شگفتي و آفرين بسيار از او يادكرده و شگفتي هاي زندگي ي او را برشمرده اند. يكي از ياران نزديك كيوان، زنده ياد شاهرخ مسكوب، فرزانه ي بزرگ ِ روزگار ما بود كه در واپسين سال هاي زندگاني ي دشوار و پُربارش با احساسي همچون دِين داشتن نسبت به آن يار ِ از دست رفته، نوشته ها و سروده هايي از خود و ديگران را با همكاري ي ِ همراه و همسر كيوان، بانو پوران سلطاني در مجموعه اي با عنوان ِ كتاب مرتضي كيوان، فراهم آورد و به چاپ رساند و حقّ آن مرد ِ مردانه را به خوبي ادا كرد.
بحث و بررسي در باره ي اين كتاب ارجمند و درون مايه هاي گوناگون ِ آن فرصت و مجالي ديگر مي خواهد كه اميدوارم فرادست آيد. در اين سالگرد اندوهبار ِ در خون تپيدن ِ كيوان و سرداران ِ همگامش، تنها خواستم يادي به گرمي از آن شمع هاي ِ خاموش گشته، كرده باشم.
براي پايان ِ سزاوار بخشيدن به اين يادواره ي كوتاه، از ميان ِ همه ي نوشتارهاي آمده در اين دفتر، سطرهاي گزيده اي از شعر ِ فراموش نشدني ي ِ شاعر نامدارمان احمد شاملو را كه در سوگ ِ كيوان و براي همدلي با همسرش پوران سلطاني سروده است، در پي مي آورم. ج. د.
احمد شاملو
نگاه كن
سال ِ بد
سال ِ باد
سال ِ اشك
سال ِ شكّ
سال ِ روزهاي ِ دراز و استقامت هاي كم
سالي كه غرور گدايي كرد
سال ِ پَست
سال ِ درد
سال ِ عزا
سال ِ اشك ِ پوري
سال ِ خون ِ مرتضي
سال ِ كبيسه ...
...........................
من بد بودم؛ امّا بدي نبودم
از بدي گريختم، دنيا مرا نفرين كرد
و سال ِ بد دررسيد:
سال ِ اشك ِ پوري، سال ِ خون ِ مرتضي
سال ِ تاريكي
و من ستاره ام را يافتم، من خوبي را يافتم
به خوبي رسيدم
و شكوفه كردم.
..............................
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
142. استاد دكتر احسان يارشاطر در سفري به پاريس: گزارشي كوتاه

I am forwarding a report of Prof. Yarshater recent visit to Paris. Mohandes Abdul-Hamid Eshragh, a member of the Iranica Board of Trustee in France has sent this report, which includes a digital photo of Prof. Yarshater. You might like to include this report in your Pazhuheshnameh website. I hope you find this useful for your website and utilize it in its current form.
Bá drood va ehterám,
M Rowshan



141. مهمان نوازي و تعارف در ميان ِ ما ايرانيان
Monday, October 17, 2005
140.سندي كهن از زندگي ي ِ خانوادگي و اجتماعي ي ِ ايرانيان ِ باستان
گزارشي كه به ميانجي ي ِ تارنماي فرهنگي- خبري ي ِ ايراندُخت و به گُفتاوَرد از خبرگزاري ي ِ ميراث ِ خبر در پي مي آورم، اشاره دارد به يك سند كهن از متن هاي پهلوي و پازند در مورد آيين زناشويي ي ايرانيان و مي تواند روشنگر ِ گوشه اي زندگي ي خانوادگي و اجتماعي ِ نياكانمان باشد. میراث خبر:
" جامعترين و فاخرترين سند ازدواج در ميان متون پهلوي و پازند «نكاح از روش ايران» است. "
Sunday, October 16, 2005
139. يادآر ز شمع ِ مُرده، يادآر!
دكتر كسرا وفاداري (1325 - 1384)

138. ساختن سمفوني ي ايران به پايان رسيد.
استاد شاهين فرهت، سازنده ي سمفوني ي ايرانبر پايه ي ِ گزارش خبرگزاري ي ِ مهر از تهران، شاهين فرهت آهنگساز ايراني، كار ِ ساختن ِسمفوني ي ِ ايران را به پايان آورد تا بار ِ ديگر گرايش پُرشور خود به ايران و پاي بندي اش به غرور ِ ملّي را به نمايش بگذارد. او پيش از اين، سمفوني هاي ِ بانوي ايران، دماوند و خليج ِ فارس را در همين گونه ي ِ هنري آفريده بود.
گزارش مهر درباره ي اين رويداد ِ مهمّ ِ هنري و فرهنگي و سخناني از استاد فرهت در زمينه ي شكل گيري ي ِ كارهايش و چگونگي ي ِ رهبري ي ِ گروه اجراكننده ي ِ سمفوني هايش و همكاري ي ِ اركستر سمفونيك ارمنستان به رهبري ي ِ لوريس چكناواريان سازنده ي نامدار ِ اُپراي ِ رستم و سهراب را در دنباله مي آورم.
Shahin Farhat composed Iran Symphony
TEHRAN, Oct. 9 (Mehr News Agency) -- Iranian composer Shahin Farhat recently finished composing a work entitled "Iran Symphony" to prove his patriotism once again. He had previously created "Iranian Lady Symphony", "Damavand Symphony", and "Persian Gulf Symphony" in this genre.
I began writing the symphony last Noruz (Iranian New Year, which begins on March 21). It abstractly demonstrates bittersweet events our country has experienced over history, Farhat told the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) on Saturday.
With a genuine Iranian theme, the symphony has been written in four movements taking 40 minutes. The first and second movements have an exciting and fast rhythm, the third movement is mellow, and the ending reminds one of triumph and victory
he explained
I have asked Ali Rahbari (Tehran Symphony Orchestra conductor) to perform the symphony, and he has welcomed the idea. Farhat said
According to Farhat, the Iranian Academy of Arts will sponsor the performance He had previously said that he might be persuaded to give it to the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra because of technical limitations in Iran for the performance and recording of orchestral and symphonic works.Farhat's Persian Gulf and Damavand symphonies were also to be performed by Iranian conductor Loris Tjeknavorian and recorded in Iran, but in the end they were performed and recorded by the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra.Farhat expressed satisfaction with the Armenian orchestra's performance of the symphony
Saturday, October 15, 2005
137. برداشت ِ يك هنرمند و كارشناس از رستم در كُميك بوكز
چهره ي ِ بيژن اسدي پور، كار ِ اردشير مُحصّصBe nazaram kareshan jaleb ast. Yek joor Souper Heros model-e sharghi meeshavd. Bayad be in doostan tabreek goft.
Friday, October 14, 2005
136. Fresh News from ISIS
With many thanks to Dr. Hamid Akbari from ISIS (International Sosiety for Iranian Studies) who has sent the following information to this office. J. D
This ISIS E-mail includes the following
I. Keddie Wins Balzan Prize
II. In Memory of Hammed Shahidian by Shahrzad Mojab
III. Correction: The Maclaren Foundation and the Morteza Rastegar Endowment Announces the Appointment of Dr. G.R. Farhad Assar as Sir Harold Bailey Research Associate at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University [Sir Harold Bailey was incorrectly reported to ISIS as Sir Harald Bailey].
IV. Reminder: Please Renew Your 2005 Membership. Please use the attached form. Thanks.
ISIS-L@neiu.edu is the ListServ for the members and associates of the International Society for Iranian Studies http://www.iranian-studies.com
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the List, please send an E-mail to h-akbari@neiu.edu.
Note: All Announcements, including Conference Announcements/Programs not sponsored by ISIS and other similar news, are circulated only as a service to ISIS members and associates.
I. Keddie Wins Balzan Prize
Emeritus Professor of History Nikki Keddie has been awarded the Balzan Prize by the Zurich-based International Balzan. Foundation whose aim is "to promote, throughout the world, culture, science, and the most meritorious initiatives in the cause of humanity, peace and brotherhood among peoples." In honoring Keddie for her research and publications on the Islamic world, the foundation cited her political biography of the Islamic reformer Sayyid Jamal adDin "al-Afghani" as "one of the most important contributions to understanding the connection between Islamic ideology and Western imperialism."
The prize includes funding for a three-year program, beginning in 2005-06, to support two visiting scholars each year who will teach and conduct research on women, gender or the family in the Muslim world. For the first year, Keddie has invited Holly Shissler (UCLA PhD, 1995), Assistant Professor of Ottoman and Modern Turkish History and Associate Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Chicago, and Nayereh Tohidi, Associate Professor of Women's Studies at California State University, Northridge.
Shissler's research focuses on late Ottoman writings on the institution of marriage and the position of women in society, and the relationship of this literature to Ottoman writings on other topics related to the problem of "selfstrenthening." She contends that by the mid-19th century, Ottoman intellectuals and statesmen were seeking to create the social conditions they understood as having nurtured the development of capitalism, political reform and scientific and industrial revolutions abroad, and that in viewing the complex of social structures underpinning these developments, they sought to identify threads that ran through and would provide access to the web of arrangements that had produced modernity. The position of women was one of these threads, and Shissler further contends that Ottoman concern with the "Woman Question" was part of a comprehensive approach to engendering sweeping change, rather than a mere symbolic nod to modernity.
Tohidi's project is "The Global-Local Interplay of the Women's Movement in Iran." Her hypothesis is that due to interactions between certain local and national demographic, socio-political and economic dynamics and certain global and international factors connected to the processes of globalization, Iran is going through a bottom-up process of socio-cultural transformation toward secularization and democratization. Iranian youth and women in the new educated middle class now constitute the most active elements of civil society in Iran and the primary agents of change and democratization.
Professor Keddie is only the third woman to be awarded a Balzan Prize in the foundation's nearly 50-year history. Nominations for the prize are received from the world's leading learned societies, and candidates are selected by a committee composed of eminent European scholars and scientists. The foundation has awarded prizes to 100 artists, scientists, humanitarians and institutions since 1961. Previous winners include Eric Hobsbawm, Jorge Luis Borges, Paul Hindemith, Gyorgy Ligeti, Samuel Eliot Morisson, Jean Piaget and Stanley Hoffman.
The Balzan Foundation was established in 1956 by Angela Lina Balzan, daughter of Eugenio Balzan who was managing director and co-owner of the Milan-based Corriere della Sera until 1933 when he left Italy in protest against the fascist regime. He died in Lugano in 1953.
II. In Memory of Hammed Shahidian: A Scholar-Activist & A Beloved Friend / Shahrzad Mojab
I have lost a beloved friend; my academic confidante. Hammed left us a legacy of a committed scholar, an honest intellectual, and a friend with a gentle soul. This legacy is inscribed in his writings, lectures, and in our personal memories.
Hammed was a talented, knowledgeable, and brilliant scholar. He had personal and intellectual commitment to the struggle for gender justice. His scholarship consists of a diverse body of critical literature on social movements, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, exile, immigration and diaspora. He contributed to debates in all these areas in North America, Europe and in the Middle East.Hammed’s books, Women in Iran: Gender Politics in the Islamic Republic (2002, Greenwood Publishing) and Women in Iran: Emerging Voices in the Women’s Movement (2002, Greenwood Publishing) are seminal contributions to a crucial debate in international feminist studies, in particular, the repression and resistance of women in the Islamic theocracy of Iran and in the Middle East. These books have encouraged a vast range of debate, originated from the theoretical challenges that Hammed put forth. The significance of these debates goes beyond the case of women in Iran, and touch on feminist theory as well as concrete struggle for gender equality in the Middle East and the rest of the world. In the first book, Gender Politics in the Islamic Republic, for example he undertook a detailed study of certain institutions such as paid work, domestic labour, law, politics, sexuality, and culture in order to demonstrate the role of state coercion in the construction of gender relations. He argues that despite women’s resistance and the reversal of some of the legislation, no crucial change has taken place in gender relations. This study challenges the currently fashionable theoretical claims, which overemphasize the flexibility of the institution of the state in general, and the theocratic state in particular.In the second book, Emerging Voices in the Women’s Movement, Hammed embarked upon another significant theoretical challenge; he demonstrated the limits and constraints of political reformism and provided a critique of the cultural relativist approaches to ‘indigenous’ feminisms. This critique is most timely, and is indispensable for both theory and policies rooted in cultural relativism.Hammed’s influence in the sphere of feminist research has shaped the field of women’s studies of the Middle East. The vast repertoire of his publications, research, lectures and conference presentations around the world on the topic of social movements, feminism, women and revolution, activism, and women’s experience of exile indicate his dedication to enhancing theoretical debates in these areas (check his website at www.shahidian.com). His scholarly work constitutes important contributions to the emerging field of diaspora studies. Some of his published articles in this area are first-hand and unique contributions to exilic life and political activism in the West.However, it is important that I assess Hammed’s scholarship no only in the context of Iranian women’s studies, but also in the international context of the brutal war against women in the Middle East and the rest of the world. We live in a world in which some 2 million girls between the age of 5 and 15 are introduced into the prostitution market of global capitalism. Femicide is the order of the day in south Asia, and Mexico. Women from poverty stricken areas of Russia, East Europe, and Asia are trafficked to the world sex markets, where they are forced into sex slavery. In parts of the world, women are subjected to genital mutilation, honour killing, and stoning to death. It is unfortunate that much of the scholarship in the last 15 years or so does not seriously challenge these patriarchal atrocities. Post-structuralism, identity politics, postmodernism, and cultural relativism, which dominate the academic world, have in fact been silent on the atrocities committed against “Muslim” women. Hammed resisted this kind of scholarship. His points of reference were not the theoretical illusions of some academic feminists; he was, rather, interested in exposing religion as one of the many strongholds of patriarchy with devastating impact on women’s lives. He was able to show how the Islamic theocracy has turned Iran into a hell for women. And he never did this from an Islamophobic perspective. Hammed had tireless energy for envisioning new areas of inquiry. He was fed up with repetitious and inconsequential debate on ‘modernity and Islam.’ He encouraged us to collaborate with him on an anthology on the issue of secularism and democracy. This research was an effort to make visible an old, yet overlooked trend in Iranian culture and politics. He wanted to explore areas of political contestation in Iran waged by writers, youth, and human rights activists that have not yet been adequately studied. His proposed book project was the first on this subject and combined both highly theoretical and personal narratives by secular activists in Iran. This approach reflects Hammed’s theoretical emphasis to study social movements from below, an approach he took both in his published works and in developing a manuscript on the underground leftist movement in Iran.Hammed’s premature departure has left us with a huge void. I mourn more than the loss of a beloved friend. I mourn the loss of an intellect with a profound commitment to social justice. I also celebrate Hammed’s life and legacy by reminding myself and the generation to come of our duty in living a responsible life; a life dedicated to justice.
III. The Appointment of Dr. G.R. Farhad Assar as Sir Harold Bailey Research Associate at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University
The Maclaren Foundation and the Morteza Rastegar Endowment, which promote inter-cultural studies around the world, are happy to announce the appointment of Dr. G.R. Farhad Assar as Sir Harold Bailey Research Associate at St. Catherine's College, Oxford University, for the 2005/6 academic year. During his appointment Dr. Assar plans to complete the first of a multi-volume study of the political and numismatic history of Parthia, will organize public lectures on Parthian coinage and history, and advise graduate and post-graduate researchers in advanced studies of ancient Iran. Dr. Assar shall also further conduct ground-breaking research with various members of the Oriental Institute, Oxford University, regarding the application of a new technique for reading faded texts on papyri and ostraca. Dr. Assar is one of the world's foremost authorities on Parthian coinage and history. His publications include "Some New Coins of Vologases V" (1990); "Some Remarks Concerning the Parthian Gold Coins" (1991); "Recent Calendar Research" (1998); "Recent Research on Attributions to Sinatruces" (1999); "Recent Studies in Parthian History - Part I" (Dec. 2000); "Recent Studies in Parthian History - Part II " (Jan. 2001); "Recent Studies in Parthian History - Part III " (Feb. 2001); "A New date on Vardanes II Tetradrachms" (2001); "Parthian Calendars at Babylon and Seleucia on the Tigris" (2003); "The Bellaria Collection" (2003); "Genealogy and Coinage of the Early Parthian Rulers" (2004); "The Genealogy of the Parthian King Sinatruces (93/2-69/8 BC)" (2005); and "History and Coinage of Elymais During 150/149 - 122/121 BC"
(2005). A number of additional studies are now in press.The Maclaren Foundation and the Morteza Rastegar Endowment promote advanced research in Iranian studies and global peace projects. The Morteza Rastegar Endowment was founded in 2001 to honor the memory of Morteza Rastegar (1912-1999), widely known as the 'Father of Modern Mining' in Iran
135. تازه هاي ميراث ِ فرهنگي
134. دانشنامه ي ِ ايران به "ايران" رسيد.
بدين سان دانشنامه ي ِ ايران در بيستمين سال ِ زادروز ِ فرخنده اش، به درآمد ِ "ايران" رسيده است.
اين تقارن ِ چشم گير را به فال ِ نيك مي گيريم و براي استاد ارجمند دكتر احسان يارشاطر و همه ي همگامان و همكاران و ياوران ِ دور و نزديك ايشان در پي گيري ي ِ پويش در اين راه ِ خجسته ، آرزوي كاميابي داريم. ج.د.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
133. اندر حكايت ِ غرب ستايي و غرب ستيزي ي ِ ما ايرانيان
tshey47@yahoo.com.au
132. اَلْعَوامُ كَالْانْعام!
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
131. كوششي فراگير و جهاني براي رهايي بخشي ي ِ مُرده ريگ فرهنگي ي ايرانيان
Från: shokooh mirzadegi <http://au.f511.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=shokoohmirzadegi@gmail.com>
Datum: onsdag 12 okt 2005 18.42.20 GMT+02:00
Till: Shokooh Mirzadegi <http://au.f511.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=smirzadegi@gmail.com>
Ämne: baa salaam
Lotfan molaaheze konid:
http://www.savepasargad.com/
http://www.savepasargad.com/coveringletterf.htm
http://www.savepasargad.com/coveringletter-e.htm
http://www.savepasargad.com/list_of_members.htm
Monday, October 10, 2005
برنامه ي ِ دو سخنراني از سوي "انجمن دوستداران ِ دانشنامه ي ِ ايران در سيدني (استراليا)
Sunday, October 09, 2005
رُستم اَبَر پهلوان: مردم فهم گردانيدن ِ يك اسطوره ي ِ ايراني
Iran NewsIran Sports NewsNews Archive
Sites
HomeInteresting SitesIran TravelIran Business SourceIranian Calendar
Persian Mystics
Payvand's Iran News ...
10/4/05
Rostam Super Hero: Popularizing A Persian Myth
An interview with Bruce Bahmani, author of the book,
Authors Note: Also available on amazon.com, Rostam Comic Books and Memorabilia can be purchased at:
http://www.hyperwerks.com/series/rostam.html
پاسخ ها و بازتاب هاي تازه نسبت به گفتار ِ نويسنده ي گاردين
Please read this article which is about recent article of Guardian about ancient Persian history and reaction of Persian scholars from several countries:
http://www.sharghnewspaper.com/840717/html/media.htm#s308799
PDF link is:
http://www.sharghnewspaper.com/840717/pdf/13.pdf
Best Regards
Pejman
www.artistswithoutfrontiers.com/pakbarzadeh/
آموزه ي ِ زرتشت، ياري به هم نوعان يا هم كيشان؟
Among many people who are returning back to what is left from Hurricane Rita’s devastating damage could be our fellow Behdins. The preliminary damage assessment of Hurricane Rita is very heartbreaking. In these hard times, we, World Behdin Fellowship, would like to extend our helping hand to all those Behdins who have suffered in this horrifying catastrophe. Please contact us at: we_care@behdins.org. We will try to help in any possible way we can.
On the same line, we invite ALL Followers of the Good Religion to JOIN US in helping our Behdins and many other helpless souls to get back on their daily life. Join us today- contact we_care@behdins.org.
We Care,
Yasamin Irani,Orange County, Southern California,World Behdin Fellowship
P.S. As per our findings, all members of Word Behdin Fellowship who are residing in that area are safe.
زهي كبوتر ِ سَپيد ِ آشتي ...
فَغان ز ِ جُغد ِ جنگ و مُرغْواي ِ او
(ملك الشّعرا)
جُغد ِ جنگ
فغان ز جُغد ِ جنگ و مُرغواي ِ او / كه تا ابد بريده باد ناي ِ او
بُريده باد ناي ِ او و تا ابد / شكسته و گُسسته پَرّ و پاي ِ او
ز ِ من بُريده يار ِ آشناي ِ من / كزو بُريده باد آشناي ِ او
چه باشد از بلاي ِ جنگ، صَعب تر/ كه كس امان نيابَد از بلاي ِ او
شراب ِ او ز خون ِ مرد ِ رنجبر/ وُ زاستخوان ِ كارگر غِذاي ِ او
همي زَنَد صَلاي ِ مرگ و نيست كس/ كه جان بَرَد ز صَدمَت ِ صَلاي ِ او
همي دَهَد نِداي ِ خَوف و مي رَسَد/ به هر دلي مَهابَت ِ نِداي ِ او
همي تند چو ديوپاي در جهان / به هر طرف كشيده تارهاي ِ او
چو خَيل ِ مور گِرد ِ پاره ي ِ شكر / فُتَد به جان ِ آدمي عَناي ِ او
به هر زمين كه باد ِ جنگ بَروَزَد / به حلق ها گِرِه شود هواي ِ او
در آن زمان كه ناي ِ حَرب دردَمَد / زمانه بي نوا شود ز ناي ِ او
به گوشها خروش ِ تُندَر اوفتد / ز بانگ توپ و غُرّش و هُراي ِ او
جهان شود چو آسيا و دم به دم / به خون ِ تازه، گردد آسياي ِ او
رونده تانك همچو كوه ِ آتشين / هزار گوش كَركُنَد صداي ِ او
همي خَزَد چو اَژدَها و درچَكَد / به هر دلي شرنگ ِ جان گزاي ِ او
چو پَر بگسترد عُقاب ِ آهنين / شكار ِ اوست شهر و روستاي ِ او
هزار بيضه هر دمي فروهِلَد / اجل دَوان چو جوجه از قَفاي ِ او
كُلَنگ سان دِژ ِ پَرَنده بنگري / به هندسي صفوف ِ خوش نَماي ِ او
چو پاره پاره ابر كافگَنَد همي / تگرگ ِ مرگ، ابر ِ مرگ زاي ِ او
به هر كرانه دستگاهي آتشين / جَهيمي آفريده در فضاي ِ او
ز ِ دود و آتش و حَريق و زلزله / ز ِ اشك و آه و بانگ ِ هاي هاي ِ او
به رَزمگَه خداي ِ جنگ بگذرد / چو چشم ِ شير، لعل گون قَباي ِ او
اَمَل، جَهان ز ِ قَعقَعه يْ سِلاح ِ وي / اَجَل، دوان به سايه ي ِ لِواي ِ او
نهان به گَرد، مِغْفَر و كلاه ِ وي / به خون كشيده موزه و رَداي ِ او
به هر زمين كه بگذرد، بگستَرَد / نِهيب ِ مرگ و درد، وَيل و واي ِ او
دو چشم و گوش ِ دَهر، كور و كَر شود / چو بَرشود نَفير ِ كَرّ ِناي او
جهان خوران ِ گنج بَر به جنگ بَر، / مُسَلّطند و رنج و اِبتِلاي ِ او
بَقاي غول ِ جنگ هست درد ِ ما / فَناي ِ جنگبارگان دواي ِ او
ز ِ غول ِ جنگ و جنگبارگي بَتَر / سرشت ِ جنگباره و بقاي ِ او
اَلا حَذر ز ِ جنگ و جنگبارگي / كه آهريمن است مُقتَداي ِ او
نبيني آن كه ساختند از اَتُم / تمام تر سِليحي اَذكياي ِ او
لَهيبَش اَر به كوه ِ خاره بگذرد / شود دوپاره كوه از اِلتقاي ِ او
تَف ِ سَموم ِ او به دشت و دَر كُنَد / ز ِ جانور تَفيده تا گياي ِ او
شود چو شهر ِ لوط شُهره بُقْعَتي / كزين سِلاح داده شد جزاي ِ او
نمانَد ايچ جانْوَر به جاي بَر / نه كاخ و كوخ و مردم و سراي ِ او
به ژاپن اندرون، يكي دو بمب از آن / فُتاد و گشت باژگون بناي ِ او
تو گفتي آن كه دوزخ اندرو دهان / گُشاد و دَم بِرون زد اَژدَهاي ِ او
سپس به دَم فروكشيد سر به سر / ز ِ خلق و وَحش و طَير و چارپاي ِ او
شد آدمي به سان ِ مُرغ ِ بابْزَن / فَرَسْپ ِ خانه گشت گِردِناي ِ او
* * *
بُوَد يقين كه زي خراب رَه بَرَد / كسي كه شد غُراب رهنماي ِ او
به خاك ِ مشرق از چه رو زنند رَه / جهان خوران ِ غرب و اَولياي ِ او
گرفتم آن كه ديگ شد گُشاده سر / كجاست شرم ِ گربه و حياي ِ او؟!
كسي كه در دلش به جُز هواي ِ زَر / نيافريده بويه اي خداي ِ او
رفاه و ايمِني طمع مدار هان / ز ِ كشوري كه گشت مُبتلاي ِ او
به خويشتن هَوان و خواري افگَنَد / كسي كه در دل افگَنَد هواي ِ او
نِهَند منّت ِ نداده بر سَرَت / وُ گر دَهَند، چيست ماجَراي ِ او؟!
به نان ِ اَرْزَنَت بساز و كُن حَذَر / ز ِ گندم و جَو و مس و طلاي ِ او
به سان ِ كَه، كِه سوي ِ كَهرَبا رَوَد / رَوَد زَر ِ تو سوي ِ كيمياي ِ او
نه دوستيش خواهم و نه دشمني / نه ترسم از غُرور و كِبرياي ِ او
همه فريب و حيلَت است و رَهزَني / مخور فريب ِ جاه و اِعتِلاي ِ او
غِناي ِ اوست اشك ِ چشم ِ رنجبر /مَبين به چشم ِ ساده در غِناي ِ او
عَطاش را نخواهم و لِقاش را / كه شوم تر لِقايَش از عطاي ِ او
لِقاي ِ او پليد چون عَطاي ِ وي / عَطاي وي كَريه چون لِقاي ِ او
* * *
خُجسته روزگار ِ صُلح و ايمِني / شكفته مرز و باغ ِ دلگُشاي ِ او
خُجسته عهد ِ راستي و مردمي / فروغ ِ عشق و تابش و ضياي ِ او
خُجسته دَور ِ ياري و برادري / حيات ِ جاوداني و صفاي ِ او
فَناي ِ جنگ خواهم از خداي ِ خود / بَقاي ِ خلق بسته در فَناي ِ او
زِهي كبوتر ِ سَپيد ِ آشتي / كه دل بَرَد سرود ِ جان فزاي ِ او
رسيد وقت ِ آن كه جُغد ِ جنگ را / جُداكنند سر به پيش ِ پاي ِ او
* * *
بهار ِ طبع ِ من شكفته شد چو من / مَديح ِ صُلح گفتم و ثَناي ِ او
بر اين چَكامه آفرين كند كسي / كه پارسي شناسد و بهاي ِ او
بدين قصيده برگذشت شعر ِ من / ز ِ بِن دُرَيد و از اَما صَحاي ِ او
شد اقتدا به اوستاد ِ دامغان / " فَغان از اين غُراب ِ بَين و واي ِ او"
تابستان 1329 خورشيدي
-------------------------------------------------------
ديوان بهار، جلد يكم، چاپ چهارم، انتشارات اميركبير - 1358 *
Friday, October 07, 2005
گيسوي آوازهاي ِ ميهني ي ِ ايرانيان، افشان در بادهاي كرانه هاي جهان
بانو گيسو شاكري هنرمند شايسته ي ِ ايراني ي ِ "شهربَند" ِ كشور ِ سوئد (با "شهروَند" اشتباه نشود!) آوازهاي زيبا و شورانگيز خود را كه ريشه در ژرفناي فرهنگ و هنر و ادب ِ ايرانيان دارد، همچون گيسوان بانويي رؤيايي در بادهاي كرانه هاي جهان افشانده و اكنون در گُستره ي ِ كوشش ها و كُنِش هاي نسل ِ جوان و پويا و آينده ساز ايراني، به ياري ي رسانه هاي الكترونيك، در شبكه ي ِ جهاني پيشكش ِ همه ي هنردوستان و دل بستگان ِ به فرهنگ ِ والاي ِ ميهنمان، كرده است.

خُنياگر ِ امروز (گيسو شاكري) در كنار تصويري از خُنياگر ِ ديروز (قمرالملوك وزيري)، نخستين
بانوي ايراني ي ِ خُنياگر بر صحنه در هفتاد سال پيش از اين
با درود و آفرين بر اين هنرمند سزاوار و سپاس از دوست ارجمند آقاي خسرو ناقد كه اين آگاهي ي ِ شادي بخش را فرستادند، نشاني ي ِ تارنماي ِ اين نغمه سراي ارزنده را -- كه افزون بر زندگينامه ي كوتاه ِ او و برخي از گفت و شنودها با او و نيز شماري از تصويرهايش، نمونه هايي از خُنياگري هاي دلپذيرش را نيز در پرونده هاي آوايي در بر مي گيرد -- براي آگاهي ي ِ خواستاران در زير مي آورم تا پيوندي باشد با گوشه اي از درياي ناپيدا كرانه ي ِ فرهنگ و هنر ايراني.
گيسو شاكري هنگام ِ اجراي يكي از خُنياگري هاي ِ خود
http://www.gissoo.com/
پژوهشي در زندگي ي ِ اجتماعي ي ِ زنان ايران در بخشي از تاريخ ِ مُعاصر
Thursday, October 06, 2005
يك بام و دو هوا در كاخ سفيد! دو نام براي يك ناميده!

Dear Sir/Madam
I noted that you have used the wrong term of "Arabian Gulf" instead of the historical and internationally recognized term of the Persian Gulf in your press release:http://www.dod.mil/releases/2005/nr20051005-4856.html
I would like to point out that according to all historical/geographical documents, also United Nations' directives, the name of this waterway which separates Iran (Persia) from Arabian Peninsula is the PERSIAN GULF :UN Links :
PERSIAN GULF is also the only term used by the U.S. Department of State:
http://www.state.gov/p/nea/ci/c2422.htmor http://www.state.gov/p/nea/ci/c2404.htm
Same to the National Geographic Society ;World Map :http://mapmachine.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/viewandcustomize.html?task=getMap&themeId=p2
Asia Map :http://mapmachine.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/viewandcustomize.html?task=getMap&themeId=p71&size=s&topten=100,p100,p3,p4,p5,p501565,p501719,p70,p71,p93&iplace=&sext=-180.0,-90.0,180.0,90.0&iext=-180.0,-90.0,180.0,90.0
You can visit this page for some maps & documents and see even Arab scholars until 1960s used "Al-Khalij Al-Farsi" (Arabic name of the "Persian Gulf");http://www.persiangulfonline.org/maps.htm
"Arabian Gulf" in fact is the ancient name of the present-day "Red Sea" (located between Arabia and Africa).
Please imagine that all nations start to rename the historical and legal names of seas and oceans: African people try to change the name of Indian Ocean to African Ocean, American people rename Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America or Pakistani people try to use Pakistani Sea instead of the Arabian Sea !....
Also please be aware that Persian (Iranian) people never tried to use "Gulf of Iran"/"Gulf of Persia" instead of "Gulf of Oman" and never tried to change the name of "Arabian Sea" into "Persian Sea".
US Navy came to the Persian Gulf region for peace but now by using that fake term for this waterway you are following Saddam's policies. I am sure that you are not going to follow him.
May I ask you to kindly use the proper term in that article?
Thanks so much for your attention.
Sincerely,
آگاهي نامه اي روزآمد از برنامه ي ِ پژوهشي ي ِ ساسانيكا
با سپاسي ديگر از دوست پژوهشگر ارجمند آقاي دكتر تورج دريايي، آگاهي نامه ي تازه فرستاده ي ايشان در
Sasanika: Late Antique Near East Project is pleased to announce that Maclaren USA & Morteza Rastegar Family Endowment have pledged an annual subvention in the name of “Striving for Harmony and Peace through Education and Creating Awareness.” We would like to thank them for their generosity and helping to further historical awareness.
Progress Report
Recently the following sources have been entered and placed on http://www.sasanika.com/ website: The Paikuli Inscription of King Narseh (293-302 CE), one of the longest Sasanian inscriptions; The Chronicle of Arbela has been translated from German into English; All sections of Agathias dealing with Persia have been entered with a long introductory remark; Eutropius’s Breviarium which deals with the Persians; and Procopius’ Book I & II have been entered. Under Armenian and Syriac sources the Chronicle of Eddessa and several martyrologies of Christian Persian women have been entered. Under Georgian sources The Passion of St. Eustace of Mtskheta of the sixth century CE is entered and for Copitc sources, passages from Kephalaia dealing with early Sasanian history, that of Ardashir I and Shapur I are entered.
Sasanika is a non-profit program at California State University, Fullerton Foundation, and contributions are tax-deductible. If you would like to help the furthering of the project please contact:
Touraj Daryaee
Professor of Ancient History
California State University, Fullerton
http://au.f511.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=tdaryaee@fullerton.edu
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
A Special Lecture Series on Central Asian and Iranian Buddhism
Thanks to Dr. Hamid Akbari who has sent the following information to this Centr.
CFIS
The University of Toronto at Mississauga
Yehan Numata Program in Buddhist Studies
Department of Historical Studiesin collaboration with University of Toronto at Mississauga, Central and Inner Asia Studies, Department and Centre for the Study of Religion, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, Canadian Society for Syriac Studies, and Toronto Initiative for Iranian Studies present
A Special Lecture Series on Central Asian and Iranian Buddhism
When Uighur Buddhism Encountered Manichaeism, Nestorianism and Islam in the Middle AgesNiu RujiDirector of Research Centre for Minorities of Northwest, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
Room 200B, Bancroft Building Friday, 3 June, 4:00 p.m.
Old Roads and Early Paths for the Transmission of Buddhism: Alternatives to Alfred Foucher's vieille RouteJason NeelisDepartment of Religion, Florida State University
Room 200B, Bancroft Building Friday, 23 September, 4:00 p.m.
Iranian Esotericism on the Silk Road: Zoroastrians, Buddhists, and Manichaeans
James Russell
Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
Room 200B, Bancroft Building Friday, 7 October, 4:00 p.m.
The Kizil Caves and Transmission of Buddhism Along the Silk Road in the First Millennium.Rajeshwari GhoseCentre of Asian Studies, University of Hong Kong
Room 208N, Munk Centre Friday, 21 October, 4:00 p.m.
Religious Diversity among Sogdian Merchants in China (6th century A.D.): Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Manichaeism, Hinduism"
Frantz GrenetÉcole Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris
Room 208N, Munk Centre Wednesday, 9 November, 4:00 p.m.
Afghanistan before Islam: Buddhism and other Religions in the Bactrian DocumentsNicholas Sims-Williams
Department of the Languages and Cultures of Near and Middle East, University of London
Room 208N, Munk Centre Monday, 14 November, 4:00 p.m.
For additional information please contact <http://au.f511.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=historic@utm.utoronto.ca> or 905-569-4913
Sasanika Research Project: Progress Report
Many thanks to Dr. Touraj Daryaee for sending the following message and fresh news. J. D.
Bust of Khosraw II (/Khosraw-Parviz), Sasanid king, found 5 years ago near Baghestn (Bahestan/Bisotoun) in western Iran, Picture by: Dr. T. DaryaeeSasanika News
Sasanika: Late Antique Near East Project is pleased to announce that Maclaren USA & Morteza Rastegar Family Endowment have pledged an annual subvention in the name of “Striving for Harmony and Peace through Education and Creating Awareness.” We would like to thank them for their generosity and helping to further historical awareness.
Progress Report
Recently the following sources have been entered and placed on http://www.sasanika.com/ website: The Paikuli Inscription of King Narseh (293-302 CE), one of the longest Sasanian inscriptions; The Chronicle of Arbela has been translated from German into English; All sections of Agathias dealing with Persia have been entered with a long introductory remark; Eutropius’s Breviarium which deals with the Persians; and Procopius’ Book I & II have been entered. Under Armenian and Syriac sources the Chronicle of Eddessa and several martyrologies of Christian Persian women have been entered. Under Georgian sources The Passion of St. Eustace of Mtskheta of the sixth century CE is entered and for Copitc sources, passages from Kephalaia dealing with early Sasanian history, that of Ardashir I and Shapur I are entered.
Sasanika is a non-profit program at California State University, Fullerton Foundation, and contributions are tax-deductible. If you would like to help the furthering of the project please contact:
Associate Professor of Ancient History
California State University, Fullerton
tdaryaee@fullerton.edu
Hamed Nikpay the brilliant young Iranian Vocalist, Multi instrumentalist and Song Writer
Hamed NikpayI recently had an interview with Hamed Nikpay, a young multi-talented Iranian who has just recently moved to the U.S. from Iran.

http://www.rozanehmagazine.com/SeptOct05/MainSeptOct05.html
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Kindly, forward this to all those who appreciate good art on your mailing list. If you like his music, will you write him a few words? Here is his email
hamednikpay@yahoo.com
Hamed Nikpay, left
I think we need to help him in whatever ways we can. He has classes in Palo Alto and in Campbell.

If you or someone you know are interested you may contact him at these number
6215-906 (650)
Many many thanks in advance
Shirin
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To hear to the music of this artist, please click on his web-address at the Link section of this page.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Celebration of the late Karim Emami
Sunday, October 02, 2005
دريچه اي به سوي باغ ِ بي كران ِ فرهنگ ِ ايران زمين
وارد مینیاتور کردم.* در بخشی از این کتاب تاثیر غربت و مهاجرت برکار هنرمند دیده می شود. برای نخستین
راديو فردا، فيروزه خطيبي، لُس آنجلس
نمايشگاه فرهنگ و هنر ايران باستان در موزه ي ِ بريتانيايي

چندي پيش در همين صفحه از نمايشگاه فرهنگ و هنر ايران دوران هخامنشي در موزه ي بريتانيايي سخن گفتم و بازتاب هاي نشريافته نسبت بدان را نيز در پي آوردم.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
مهرگان فرخنده باد!
مهر ِ فَراخ چَراگاه را مي ستاييم كه از مَنثرَه (سخن ِ وَرجاوَند ِ ايزدي) آگاه است. زبان آور ِ هزارگوش ِ ده هزار چشم ِ بُرزمَند ِ بلند بالايي كه بر فراز ِ بُرجي پهن ايستاده است. نگاهبان ِ زورمندي كه هرگز خواب به چشم ِ او راه نيابد."
(اوستا، كهن ترين سرودها و متن هاي ايراني، گزارش و پژوهش جليل دوستخواه، مهريَشت، بند 7، جلد يكم، ص 355)
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فريدون چو شد بر جهان كامگار/ ندانست جز خويشتن شهريار/ به رسم ِ كيان گاه و تخت ِ مِهي / بياراست با تاج ِ شاهنشهي/ به روز ِ خجسته سر ِ مهرماه / به سر برنهاد آن كياني كلاه / زمانه بي اندوه گشت از بدي / گرفتند هركس ره ِ بخردي / دل از داوري ها بپرداختند / به آيين يكي جشن ِ نو ساختند / نشستند فرزانگان شادكام / گرفتند هريك ز ياقوت جام / مَي ِ روشن و چهره ي ِ شاه ِ نو / جهان نو ز داد و سر ِ ماه ِ نو / بفرمود تا آتش افروختند / همه عنبر و زعفران سوختند / پرستيدن ِ مهرگان دين ِ اوست / تن آساني و خوردن آيين ِ اوست / اگر يادگارست ازو ماه و مهر / بكوش و به رنج ايچ منماي چهر ..."
(فردوسي، شاهنامه، به كوشش ِ جلال خالقي مطلق، دفتر ِ يكم، ص 89)
امروز دهم ماه مهر ( برابر با مهر روز از مهرماه، روز شانزدهم مهر در گاه شماري ي ِ باستاني ي ِ ايرانيان) روز ِ جشن مهرگان است. مهرگان همتايي براي نوروز و دومين جشن بزرگ ايرانيان در روزگاران كهن بود. اين جشن به هنگام خرمن برداري و آغاز دومين نيمه ي سال برگذار مي شد. بنيادگذاري ي اين جشن را -- همان گونه كه در شاهنامه آمده است -- به فريدون شهريار ِ اسطورگي و داستاني ي ايران نسبت داده اند؛ چنان كه جمشيد، ديگر شهريار ِ داستاني را پايه گذار ِ جشن ِ نوروز شمرده اند.
در ايران كنوني، جشن مهرگان همتراز با نوروز برگذار نمي شود و تنها برخي از نهادهاي فرهنگي و بيشتر، هم ميهنان ِ زرتشتي مان بدان روي مي آورند. امّا در بيرون از مرزهاي جغرافيايي ي ِ ايران، نه تنها ميليون ها ايراني ي دور از ميهن اين جشن فرخنده و يادمان ارجمند نياكان را گرامي مي دارند و با شور و سرور فراوان برگذار مي كنند؛ بلكه چهره ها و نهادهاي فرهنگي و داانشگاهي ي جُز ايراني نيز به پيشباز آن مي شتابند و در سخنان و پژوهش هاي شان از اين رويداد مهم تاريخ فرهنگ ايراني سخن مي گويند. در پي اين درآمد، دو نمونه از اين رويكردها را مي آورم. يكي گفتاري پژوهشي از م. پرايس كه انجمن فرهنگي ي ايرانيكا در كاليفرنيا به اين دفتر رسيده است و ديگري فراخوان برگذاري ي اين جشن در آمريكا از ويليام اُ. بيمَن، استاد مردم شناسي، تآتر، سخن و رقص در دانشگاه براون كه با لطف براي من فرستاده است.
بي مناسبت نيست كه در اين جا يادآوري كنم كه ميترَه يا ميثرَه (برابر مهر در فارسي) در نزد آرياييان باستاني و در كيش هاي هندو - ايراني، خداي بزرگي به شمار مي آمده و كيش هاي پرستش و اسطوره هاي ويژه اي داشته است. در دوره هاي پسين، اين كيش از راه آسياي كِهين (تركيّه ي ِ كنوني) به سرزمين هاي باختري راه يافت و سرتاسر ِ اروپا را تا كرانه ي اقيانوس اطلس درنورديد و كيشي بزرگ به نام ميترائيسم (مهرآييني يا مهرديني) با ساختار و نهادهاي ويژه اي از آن پديدآمد كه در درازناي سده ها تا هنگام چيرگي ي مسيحيان و توانمند شدن ِ نهاد ِ فرمانروايي ي كليسا و سركوب و نابودگرداني ي خشونت آميز مهرآيينان، در آن سرزمين ها رواجي گسترده داشت.
بازمانده ي مهرابه ها (پرستشگاه هاي مهري) و تنديس هاي ميترا و ديگر نمادهاي ميترايي را تا به امروز هم مي توان در همه جاي اروپا در شهرها و روستا و موزه ها و مركزهاي پژوهشي ديد.
كهن ترين كليساهاي اروپايي بر فراز مهرابه هاي كهن ساخته شده و واژه ي " اَبي" همان "-ابه"، جزء دوم تركيب مهرابه است كه همراه نام بسياري از كليساها (مانند "وِست مينيستر اَبي" در قلب شهر لندن) به كار مي رود.
نگاره اي از ميترا (مهر) و نمادهاي ميترايي (مهري)
به اعتراف دانشنامه هاي معتبر غربي، تعيين ِ روز 25 ماه دسامبر به منزله ي زادروز عيسي مسيح نيز، برگرفته از ويژه بودن ِ همين تاريخ به زادروز ميترا در روزگاران رواج ِ مهرآييني است.
Iranica Institute : Iranian Festivals
Festival of Mehregan
M. Price
The prophet, Zoroaster created many feasts and celebrations to pay homage to many deities and yazata (Eyzads) who symbolized all forces beneficial to humans. In addition to the ‘Gahambars’ dedicated to Ahura Mazda and the six holy immortals, there are other important festivals devoted to the major Eyzads such as Mehr, at Mehregan and Tiri at Tiragan. The tradition ascribes the foundation of the seven feasts and other celebrations to the prophet himself; but in origin they appear to have been much older. They are pastoral and farming festivals restructured and dedicated to the major deities by the prophet. With the gahambars, the first feast was celebrated in mid-spring, the second in mid-summer, the third was ‘the feast of bringing in the crop’. The ‘home-coming feast’ (coming of the herds from pasture), was followed by the mid-winter feast and Hamaspathmaedaya, the feast of the feasts celebrated on the last night of the year, before the spring equinox. This feast was eventually evolved into No Ruz, celebrating the New Year. Avestan texts (the Zoroastrians’ holy book) divide the Iranian year into two equal parts or seasons. The first season was summer or ‘Hama’ and the second was winter or ‘Zayana’. The coming of the two seasons would be celebrated through No Ruz and Mehregan. The later is the festival dedicated to Mehr Izad. It is celebrated on the 16th of the seventh month (Mehr) at the time of the harvest festivals and beginning of the winter. It has been the second most elaborate celebration after No Ruz. The festival is called ‘Mithrakana’ in Avesta and means "belonging to Mithra". Mehr has been Mithra in Avesta and Mitrah in Phahlavi. It is the yazata of the covenant and of loyalty. It has come from the word mei, meaning exchange. In Avesta he is the protector of "Payman e Dousti" (contract of friendship). In modern Persian it means love and kindness. He is the lord of ordeal by fire (walking through fire to prove innocence, story of Siavash in Shahnameh) and presides over judgment of the soul at death. Ancient Greeks identified him with Apollo. This feast would be celebrated for 6 days, starting on the 16th ‘ the ‘Mehr Ruz’ and ending on the 21st known as ‘Raam Ruz’. The first day was called ‘Mehregan e Khord’ and the last day ‘Mehregan e Bouzorg’ (lesser and major Mehregan). The oldest historical record about Mehregan goes back to the Achaemenian times. The Historian, Strabon (66 - 24 BC) has mentioned that the Armenian Satrap (governor) presented the Achaemenian king with 20,000 horses at the Mehregan celebrations. Other Greek sources mention that the kings would dress in purple, dance, drink and this was the only occasion they could get drunk in public. Alcohol a luxury and expensive item was consumed communally. The celebration is also mentioned in Talmud, the ancient Jewish texts. The festival is not specific to Iranians and has been celebrated by many cultures in Asia Minor and throughout ancient Mesopotamia. However what has been celebrated in Iran with it’s uniquely Iranian characteristic is based on the ancient Zoroastrian texts. In Bundahishn (Foundation of Creation), an ancient Zoroastrian text, Mehr day is mentioned as the day when the first male and female, Mashi and Mashiane were created from Gayo-maretan (Kiomarth, the first prototype of all humans). It is also believed that sun’s first appearance, and Feraydon’s victory over Azydahak (Zahak in Shahnameh) happened on this day. Azydahak is a mythological king in Avesta who wants to destroy all humans and is defeated by the legendary prince, Feraydon who later becomes the king. According to the legend on this day several Eyzads descend to earth and helped Feraydon over the next six days to defeat and eventually imprison Azydahak on the 21st of the month on top of the Damavand Mountain. After this victory, Feraydon ordered all believers to wear ‘Kosti’ (special ceremonial belt Zoroastrians wear) and the prayers ‘Ouj’ were recited for the first time. In Sasanian times there were plays and re-enactment of this legend accompanied with prayers and songs at the Royal courts. Ancient Iranians believed that it was in Mehr day that humans were given urvan (ravan in modern Persian, meaning soul) and the earth was enlarged on this day to provide more land for the growing population. Moon (Mah) which was a cold and dark object for the first time received light from sun on this day and began illuminating at night. Mehr is also the protector of the light of the early morning. This light is called havangah in Avestan texts and is referred to the first ray of light appearing just before dawn. Zoroastrians would get up at this time and pray to Mithra to keep protecting this light against forces of darkness. In mystical Persian literature we know these prayers as ‘Da ye verde sobhgahe’(prayers of early morning). In the ‘Yasht’ section of Avesta (chapters dedicated to prayers) the 10th Yasht is devoted to Mehr and the whole chapter deals with the two most important characteristics attributed to Mithra, truth and courage. Mehr Yasht makes it quite clear that Mehr and sun are two different entities. Mehr is portrayed as a truthful and brave king with one thousand ears and ten thousand eyes. He is also the protector of warriors, and it has been this aspect of its’ personality that made this deity popular with the Roman Military and Mithra was eventually evolved into a major Roman cult and Mithraism spread all over Europe. The celebrations described by the Muslim historians and observers attest to the glory and significance of the occasion. Huge bon fires were set with feasts, songs, music, dancing and prayers. For Zoroastrians today the occasion is a communal one. In Jasn-e Mehr Izad, they all join together for observance and prayer. Till recently each family gave a contribution of grains, lentils and the like to the fire-temple. Animal sacrifices are made by some and the remains are mixed with lentils, herbs and a substantial meal (ash-e khirat) is prepared. Once cooked, the meal is distributed freely to all local people including the non-Zoroastrians. Different kinds of food and delicacies are prepared. These are shared by all including dogs, which are venerated amongst Zoroastrians. The festival prayers are performed by the Mobads (priests) and gifts such as pure oil for the sanctuary lamps, candles and incense are presented to the local shrines. Esphand a local popular incense is burnt and sweet smelling flowers and herbs are dedicated to the temples. Contrary to the ancient times, there is no rigidly prescribed pattern of behavior for approaching the shrines, but many still touch the doorsill before entering in a graceful gesture of obeisance, while uttering prayers and invocations. Iranian Muslims still follow the same procedure once approaching a mosque. Because of the sanctity of this feast, its ancient communal rites are elaborately celebrated at the ‘Atash Varahram’; the holiest fire in Iran. The greatest observance is the lighting outside this temple of a huge fire just after the sunset. At home, a special table is laid with the fire vase or an incense burner, a copy of the ‘Khordeh Avesta’ (Zoroastrian Holy Book), a mirror for self-reflection, water (the source of life), coins (prosperity), fruits, flowers, sweets, wine and various grains. Elders or priests recite appropriate prayers, especially ‘Mehr Niyaish’ (prayers to Mehr) to signify the occasion. A poem is read to glorify the festival. Food is consumed and those present dance to the tune of music until late in the night. Music was always a part of all ancient celebrations and Sasanian court was famous for its musicians and composers. Musical pieces were written for all occasions. Mehregan Khord and Bouzorg are the names of two ‘maghams’ in Persian music. They are mentioned by Nezami, Farabi and other writers in the Middle ages, but did not survive and are not in the present day ‘radif’ in Persian music. For the ancient Iranians Mehr symbolized truthfulness, bravery and courage. These attributes were re-enforced and venerated through prayers, rituals, feasts, celebrations and acts of charity. Though most modern Iranians have heard about Mehregan, but unlike No Ruz it is not celebrated by all and is mainly regarded as a Zoroastrian festival. In the recent years there has been a revival of this joyful and merry occasion both in Iran and outside and more Iranians are participating in this festival. Also since, school year starts on 1st of the Persian month Mehr, on about 23 September, in Iran, Mehregan is celebrated as a time to rejoice learning and knowledge to make the festival more acceptable with the Islamic authorities.
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About the Iranica Institute:
Iranica Institute was established in 1995 by a former college professor, Mr. Ahmad Kamron Jabbari. It has since grown into an international network of scholars, educators, artists and everyone who is interested in the issues that concern a geographic area, historically know as the Iranicas [Eranshahr]. This area includes the following: Iran (Persia), Armenia, Eastern Turkey (Anatolia), Georgia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of India, Central Asian countries of Tajikistan,Uzbekistan, Kirghizistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakstan, parts of ancient Mesopotamia, ethnic people such as the Jews, the Kurds and the Assyrians, and the countries around the Persian Gulf. To join this network, please write to:
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Posted by Professor William Beeman,Providence, Rhode Island
Sunday, September 25
Jashn-eh Mehregan"The Ninth Annual Iranian Arts and Cultural Event"....is a day trip to Iran, where we will enjoy traditional dance performances,listen to mystical music, admire the fine arts and crafts, meet young IranianAmerican entrepreneurs, learn tips about healthy living and taste the deliciousethnic food of Iran.In this autumn festival, for several consecutive years, new friendship wereformed while old friends reunited. Bonding is the spirit of this celebration.Everyone from any cultural background, age is welcome to join. Children areparticularly invited.When: Sunday, September 25, 2005Time: 11:00 am till 6:00 pmWhere: Cupertino Community Center: 10185 N. Stelling Rd. Cupertino, CA 95014,USAContact: (408) 381-4268
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/creatingawareness/post?postID=iEqUBIfO7rycxpI22WLfaVQx4A_96YYNicF4zEDErhNa0yyqMuZlx0EJ5R9qDRHSUyVoWnhpnB5w9w mailto:payvand95@aol.com














