PCC’s Board Meetings
Persian Cultural Center’s board of directors holds its meetings every second Wednesday of the month at the Iranian American Center (IAC). The last two meetings took place on March 11 and April 14, 2021.
Virtual Movie Discussion Series – March 25, 2021
The Intouchables (2011), directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, was the movie selected for the March virtual movie discussion. Mahmoud Pirouzian hosted the discussion, at which Mahmoud Behrouzian reviewed the movie.
Three Chefs in the Kitchen – March 13 and April 10, 2021
This is a new cooking program presented via zoom. The chefs, Sima Kashani, Zhaleh Shayan, and Venus Safaie, demonstrate how to prepare Persian dishes and desserts. On March 10, 2021, the dishes were sabzi polo mahi (main), and loze (dessert). On April 10, 2021, the dish was kofteh Tabrizi with garlic baguette. A panel of judges commented on the dishes. Read more about the program and the next presentation on page 20.
Quarantine Night’s Poems – April 21, 2021
In this virtual event hosted by Farshad Babakhani and PCC’s Poetry & Literature Committee, poems from Seif Forghani were read and attendees also read poetry.
Jong-e Farhangi – April 16, 2021
April Jong was an online event hosted by Ali Sadr. Guest Hossein Mortezaeian Abkenar talked about Short Story. A question and answer period followed the discussion.
Virtual Nowruz Celebration – March 19 and 20, 2021
Due to the ongoing pandemic, instead of our traditional Nowruz gala this year, PCC prepared a memorable Nowruz celebration online. The program was live-streamed on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram on Friday, March 19 at 8 p.m. and again on Saturday, March 20 at 10 a.m. Shalah Salah, the current president of PCC, greeted all participants by wishing everyone a happy and prosperous Nowruz and the new year of 1400. Local representatives Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and Todd Gloria, the Mayor of San Diego, then sent warm, heartfelt messages to the PCC members and the Iranian American Community at large (their full remarks are included below). Famous Iranian American comedians Maz Jobrani, Tehran, and Max Amini also gave their own Nowruzi messages. Then, members of PCC’s Persian Dance Academy, under the direction of Ila Darafshandar, performed a beautiful dance.
The main part of the program, however, was the performance of the renowned Rastak music group who played several beautiful songs from various parts of Iran. For the past decade or so, Rastak has collected, arranged, and performed many folk songs from all around Iran. Their sold-out concerts and the sales of their albums are indicative of the great popularity of their music.
This program was watched live all around the world and in Iran. It is still available to watch on PCC’s YouTube channel.
Nowruz Message by Nathan Fletcher, Chair of San Diego Board of Supervisors
Sallam Doostan {Hello friends} I am Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and it is my great honor to join you again for this year’s Nowruz celebration. The diversity of our community is what makes us stronger and I want to thank the Persian Cultural Center for advancing that idea each and every single day. The Persian and Iranian community of San Diego is a vital part of what makes our region so special. Nowruz is a time to cleanse the soul and move forward with the renewed, refreshed perspective. It is a time of revitalization. This celebration of a new day is something we can all collectively look forward to a day and a time of unity, looking forward to a day when we have beaten COVID-19. So on behalf of the San Diego Board of Supervisors, I wish you the best and hope you have a safe celebration.
Nowruz Message by Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego
Good evening, I am Mayor Todd Gloria. On behalf of the City of San Diego, I would like to wish the Persian Cultural Center and our entire Persian Community a very happy Nowruz. There is no denying the last year has been challenging for all of us, but it’s my hope you will look to the values of Nowruz for strength and inspiration at this moment. I’m talking about the values of peace, solidarity, reconciliation, renewal, and taking care of each other. Together we will grow and move forward to realizing a new day. Wishing you and yours a new year full of love, peace, happiness, and prosperity. Happy Nowruz.
For the first time, the San Diego County Building was illuminated to red, white and green for Nowruz
Tehran
From the bottom of my heart, Happy Nowruz and best wishes from this Tehran to that Tehran.
Max Amini
Wishing all a very good year for all, full of happiness and health.
Maz Jobrani
From Persian Cultural Center to all my Iranian friends around the world, Happy Nowruz.
