PCC NEWS
PCC’s Board of Directors Meetings
The meetings of the Board of Directors of PCC were held on September 9 and October 14 to review and plan the activities of the Persian Cultural Center.
A Poet and a Poem – September 16, 2026
The 48th session of “A Poet and a Poem” took place on September 16. This virtual session featured the biography and poems of Humam e Tabrizi, presented by the Poetry and Literature Group of San Diego, featuring Farshad Babakhani, Fariba Babakhani, Sepideh Shamloufard, Hajar Sattarzadeh, Mana Ajideh, and Ryan Sharafi. Other poems were also recited by the attendees of the event.
Persian Traditional Singing Workshop (Tasnifkhani) with Kourosh Taghavi – September 16, 2026
On the evening of Saturday, September 16, Kourosh Taghavi performed another one of his tasnifkhani (traditional singing workshop) programs in a crowded hall at the Iranian American Center, accompanied by his setar. In this program, several old Persian songs were taught and performed as a choir.
Film and Discussion – September 27, 2026
Continuing the series on Iranian films, the September “Film and Discussion” program focused on the movie Maskhareh-Baz (A Hairy Tale) (2018), directed by Homayoun Ghanizadeh. The film was screened for an audience at the Iranian American Center, followed by a critique and discussion session attended by enthusiasts both in person and virtually. The program was moderated by Mahmoud Reza Pirouzian.
Mehregan Festival – October 3, 2026
For the tenth consecutive year, to support the Iranian arts section at the San Diego Museum of Art, the Persian Cultural Center and the San Diego Museum of Art held the Mehregan Festival at the museum. This event took place in the James Copley Hall of the museum, with performances by Rana Mansour, along with their group. All proceeds from this event were dedicated to the preservation and development of the Iranian arts section at the San Diego Museum of Art. Thanks were extended to Ms. Anahita Babaei, who managed this program, and the PCC’s Art and Culture Committee members.
Hafez Day – October 10, 2026
The seventh annual “Hafez Day” program was held on Sunday, October 10, at the Iranian American Center. This program is the result of cooperation between the Persian Cultural Center and the San Diego Central Library. The program began with a welcome from Ali Sadr. He also explained the history of Hafez Day. The guest speaker was Dr. Fatme Delia Montazeri from the University of California, Berkeley, who delivered a talk on “Why Hafez Still Speaks to Us: The Enduring Mystery of a Persian Poet.” After a short Q&A, the program continued with Live music by Siamak Bozorgi (Oud) and Arash Bahrololoomi (Daf). They performed beautiful pieces of Iranian music.
A Poet and a Poem – October 21, 2026
The 49th session of “A Poet and a Poem” took place on October 21. This virtual session featured the biography and poems of Hakim Nazari, presented by the Poetry and Literature Group of San Diego, featuring Farshad Babakhani, Fariba Babakhani, Sepideh Shamloufard, and a youth group of ISSD alumni. Other poems were also recited by the attendees, enriching the event with diverse voices and perspectives.
Let Her Sing Concert – October 24, 2026
For the first time in San Diego, Diaspora Arts Connection, in collaboration with the Persian Cultural Center of San Diego, presented Let Her Sing®: A Celebration of Female Voices. The concert took place at The California Center for the Arts, Escondido. The San Diego debut forms part of the 10th anniversary of Let Her Sing®, a program created to celebrate women vocalists and affirm the right of every woman to sing, create, and be heard. The lineup features six remarkable artists: Mina Deris, Mehrnam Rastegari, Marjan Farsad, Gelareh Sheibani, Eilbret Dooman, and Roxana Sarrafi. The concert was hosted by Iranian-Canadian soprano, songwriter, and Let Her Sing® alumna Golrokh Aminian. The artists performed with the Let Her Sing® house band under the direction of Music Director Yahya Alkhansa, with Navid Ghaem Maghami returning as Art Director.
Film and Discussion – October 26, 2026
At the October program, guest speaker Mr. Fardin Saheb-Zamani presented an overview of Ebrahim Golestan’s documentary films, including The Hills of Marlik, The Treasure of the Jewels, and Wave, Coral, and Rock.
Youth Committee
The PCC Youth Committee continues to engage approximately 25 dedicated young members in community service, leadership, and educational activities. They are proud of their enthusiasm and commitment to making a positive difference in our community.
On October 16, the Youth Committee hosted a college application seminar at IAC, featuring Heidi Bridges, Student Success Coordinator and College Counselor. This informative event was open to high school students of all grade levels and their parents, providing valuable guidance on college preparation and the application process.
The volunteers continued their English tutoring program for seniors, helping participants improve their communication skills and confidence. This meaningful program also strengthens connections between generations.
Future activities of the group include participating in the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive in San Diego, visiting nursing homes, and attending the annual Father Joe’s Walk on Thanksgiving to help the homeless. Updates on this committee’s programs can be followed through the association’s weekly emails and social media platforms.
