PCC’s Board of Directors Meetings
The meetings of the Board of Directors were held on July 16 and August 13 to discuss and plan the activities of the Center.
A Poet and a Poem – July 15, 2026
The forty-seventh session of “A Poet and a Poem” took place on July 15. This virtual session featured the biography and poems of Abul Faraj Runi, presented by the Poetry and Literature Group of San Diego, featuring Farshad Babakhani, Fariba Babakhani, Sepideh Shamloufard, and Mana Ajideh. Other poems were also recited by the attendees of the event. The “A Poet and a Poem” session was not held in August in observance of the summer break.
Film and Discussion – July 26, 2026
The July Film and Discussion program, featuring a screening of the film Train Dreams, directed by Clint Bentley, was held on Sunday evening, July 26, at 6 PM, moderated by Mahmoud Reza Pirouzian. A question-and-answer session with conducted with the program’s guest, Ms. Mehrnaz Mohabati, the sound engineer and ADR mixer for the film. During the program, the film was reviewed and discussed, and the guest responded to inquiries from attendees.
The August Film and Discussion Series was canceled due to scheduling conflicts with Mr. Ardeshir Farah’s concert.
Persian Traditional Singing Workshop (Tasnifkhani) with Kourosh Taghavi – July 24, 2026
On the evening of Friday, July 24, Kourosh Taghavi performed one of his Tasnif singing programs accompanied by his setar in a packed hall at the Iranian American Center. In this program, several old Iranian songs were taught and performed in a choir format.
Ardeshir Farah and Luis Villegas, Live in Concert –
August 29, 2026
For the first time, Ardeshir Farah, the renowned composer and guitar virtuoso, performed with Luis Villegas, another great guitarist, a very beautiful and nostalgic program with a group of excellent musicians at the invitation of the Persian Cultural Center in San Diego. The program took place in the Mandeville Hall at the University of California, San Diego.
Youth Committee
The PCC Youth Committee held its July monthly meeting and elected the officers for the upcoming year. We are pleased to announce the following youth leaders:
Presidents: Hanna Hajisattari and Sameen Khatibi
Vice Presidents: Ramteen Azmoodehn and Nava Taghavi
PR Committee: Armin Naghshineh-Pour, Benjamin Najmabadi, Kian Rahi, and Johnathan Tayebati
Treasurer: Ronika Nafarifard
Secretaries: Nargol Ghovvati and Benjamin Najmabadi
During the meeting, the Youth Committee also discussed plans and activities for the upcoming year. Some of the projects and events will include: San Diego community clean-up, Father Joe’s Thanksgiving Walkathon, food and toy drives, family nights, tutoring, college application seminar, and feeding the homeless.
Summer Youth Projects & Accomplishments: The PCC Youth Committee had a very productive summer, participating in several meaningful community service and cultural activities. One of the highlights was a special community service project led by Hanna Hajisattari, who organized a series of English-language workshops for Persian-speaking seniors at a senior housing community in Rancho Bernardo. Several of our Youth Committee members also volunteered their time and helped Hanna with the workshops and activities. The workshops included lessons and worksheets focused on practical English vocabulary, useful phrases, and everyday conversations. Our youth volunteers worked directly with the participants, helping them practice their English and build confidence in communicating in common daily situations.
The youth also assisted seniors with U.S. citizenship questions and preparation for the citizenship exam. Due to the high demand and positive response from the senior community, this project will continue on an ongoing basis.
During the summer, our youth members also had the honor of representing the Iranian School of San Diego (ISSD) and the PCC Youth Committee at the Excellence in Less Commonly Taught Languages Award (ELLA Award). Their participation was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the importance of preserving and promoting the Persian language and culture and to recognize the dedication of our students to their heritage.
We are very proud of all of our Youth Committee members for their dedication to community service, leadership, and helping others. Their willingness to volunteer their time, support one another, and serve our community demonstrates the true spirit of the PCC Youth Committee.
We would like to congratulate our new officers and wish them a successful year filled with meaningful projects, leadership opportunities, and community service. We look forward to another year of learning, giving back, and making a positive impact in our community.
