Twin Cities Iranian Culture Collective

Iranian Film Showcase: The Seed of the Sacred Fig
2025-01-17 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
Shot entirely in secret, Mohammad Rasoulof’s award-winning thriller, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, centers on a family thrust into the public eye when Iman is appointed as an investigating judge in Tehran. As political unrest erupts in the streets, Iman realizes that his job is even more dangerous than expected, making him increasingly paranoid and distrustful, even of his own wife Najmeh and daughters Sana and Rezvan.

Yalda Night Party!
2024-12-20 18:30 - 2024-12-21 00:00 (America/Chicago) | Hennepin Hall, 983 E. Hennepin, Minneapolis, 55414
The Twin Cities Iranian Culture Collective Invites You:
Join us on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024
To Celebrate Yalda Night
(Winter Solstice)
6:30 pm to midnight
Persian Cuisine Buffet
6:30 to 9 pm ($55 per person)
Free Admission after 9 p.m.
Cash Bar and Dancing with DJ Mohammad Sargazi.
Tickets: https://square.link/u/y4V3VYTu

Free Tours of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Persian Art Collection
2024-12-05 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Minneapolis Institute of Arts Mia, 3515 Colfax Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN, United States
Take a free one-hour tour of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts’ unique collection of Persian and Persianate art, led by MIA guide Nahid Khan.. Most of the works in the Gallery of the Islamic World come from the Persian world, including book arts, ceramic arts and contemporary works, and Nahid will talk about a few of them, as well as some textiles from Uzbekistan that are hanging nearby. She will also take you through the Ancient Art gallery, where you’ll learn about three of the pre-Islamic Persian works on display, and make a stop at the Fountain Court next to the Rotunda to view contemporary American artist Frank Stella’s Takht-i-Sulayman version II (1969).
These tours are free, but registration is required. Go to https://www.zeffy.com/…/tour-of-the-minneapolis… to register.
FIRST TOUR:
Gathering time at 5:30 p.m. in Mia inner lobby (seating area between information desk, museum shopand cafe).
Tour commences at 6 p.m. sharp. We will take stairs and/or elevator to the second floor, to the galleries ofAncient and Islamic arts.
Tour ends at 7 p.m.
Participants are free to wander through the Mia.
Nahid will return to the Mia inner lobby to meet the second group.
SECOND TOUR:
Gathering time at 7:15 p.m. (seating area between information desk, museum shop and cafe).
Tour commences at 7:30 p.m. sharp. We will take stairs and/or elevator to the second floor, to the galleries of Ancient and Islamic arts.
Tour ends at 8:30 p.m.
Participants are free to wander through the museum.
Mia closes at 9 p.m. on Thursday evenings, and galleries will begin closing around 8:45 p.m.
MIA VISITOR INFORMATION:
Admission is always free.
Visitors should stand one foot away from artworks and not touch the artworks.
Photography is allowed unless otherwise stated; flash photography should be avoided to protect the
artworks from excessive light damage.
Pencils rather than pens should be used to take any written notes.
Portable folding chairs and wheelchairs are available. (Ask at the entry desk.)
Other details for Mia Visitors (including parking): https://new.artsmia.org/visit/

This event is funded in part by the Minnesota Humanities Center with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Backgammon night with the Twin Cities Backgammon Club
2024-11-25 18:30 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | MN
The Twin Cities Iranian Culture Collective is excited to partner with the Twin Cities Backgammon Club for an evening of backgammon and fun. If you need a quick refresher or want to learn how to play, the Backgammon Club will have some experienced players on hand to get you started, as well as a few extra boards, if you don’t have one of your own.
Backgammon has been popular in Iran for thousands of years, and remains so to this day. Members of the TCICC will share their stories about Iran’s backgammon culture.
We’ll also serve up a selection of complimentary Persian appetizers and sweets, and our friends at TC Backgammon Club will hold a drawing to win a beautiful backgammon set.
This event is free and everyone is welcome, but please let us know if you are coming by ordering a free ticket here. Twin Cities Backgammon Club members can also RSVP on their Meetup site.

Persian Pop-up: An Evening of Wine and Persian Tribal Textiles.
2024-11-07 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | 526 Selby Event Space, 526 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102, 526 Selby Ave, St Paul, 55102, United States
An evening of wine tasting and conversation about art in the tribal textiles of Persia. We will open the evening with notes on a selection of wines from Solo Vino wine store. Our special guest is life-long textile and rug collector and artist Joseph Breidel who will bring part of his collection to the art gallery and give a speech. If you are a wine connoisseur or antique rug enthusiast this event is for you.
Being a wine connoisseur is similar to being a rug collector. You hunt for quality books and study old maps: it is all about geography and learning about different people. In studying wine, you learn about the people that made the wine, where they might have come from, where they moved to, and what types of grape varietals they brought with themselves. In studying weavings and textile, you learn about different tribes, where they eventually settled, what types of fabric and wool they used, and what traditions they had in constructing a carpet.
In order to attend you must RSVP. This free event, limited to 50 attendees. Appetizers and charcuterie will served.
Event hours: 5 :00 pm to 7:30 pm
Doors open 5:00 pm

Acknowledgment
“This work is funded in part by MHC with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. “No grant funds were used for the purchase of alcohol.”

Mehregan - The Twin Cities 2024 Iranian Fall Festival
2024-09-28 11:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | 526 Selby Ave. , St. Paul, MN, 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul, MN, 55102
Here’s the schedule:
Doors will open at: 11:00 a.m., with:

– A chaikhaneh (tea house) featuring Iranian tea served from traditional Iranian samovars, and complementary sweets provided by the Ellie’s Pastry Shop.
– kids activities, organized by Elham Ayoubi and Yassi Sokhanvari with balloon artist Mandana Okpor-Company. (Until 3 p.m.)
12:30 to 1:15 pm – Lunch
Lunch items will be available for purchase. .
1:15pm – Welcome by TCICC board chair Hossein Jalali.
1:30 – 2:30 Dance performance by Parisa Naini, accompanied by tombak player Amirali Behdani.
2:30 – 3:30 Pianist Faraz Ghassemi delves into the essential characteristics of Persian music and showcases some traditional pieces, highlighting techniques and stylistic nuances that make this genre so special.
3:30 – 3:45 – Sisters Collection Afghan sewing group fashion show
3:45-4:30 tea break
4:30-5:30 Scholar and translator Reza Saberi presents a multi-media Introduction to Persian poetry.
5:30 – 7:00 – Dinner
Light dinner fare for purchase.
7:00 – 8:00. Special performance by the Dorian Band, a mesmerizing group of Iranian musicians based in Houston, TX, whose music combines East and West.
8:00 – 10:00 Dancing to Persian pop with DJ Sohrab Kavoosi.

A Night of Persian Music
2024-09-27 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, 1531 Hewitt Ave. St. Paul MN 55104, Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, 1531 Hewitt Ave., St. Paul, MN, 55104, United States
Experience the mesmerizing fusion of East and West with Dorian, a sensational band formed by six Iranian virtuosos based in Houston. This debut concert at Sundin Music Hall showcases a groundbreaking blend of traditional Persian instruments – including the enchanting Taar and rhythmic Tonbak – harmonizing flawlessly with Western counterparts like piano, flute, and violin. Be captivated by 15 evocative compositions performed in two parts. Join us for an enchanting evening where musical boundaries fade, cultures unite, and a new sonic landscape unfolds. To find out more about the Dorian band, visit them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dorianpersianband/
Tickets $15-$40: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/75160b60-818d-43ff-8a69-95b2434633f4

Group Exhibition: So Far, So Close
2024-09-06 18:00 - 2024-09-22 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Q.Arma Underground Gallery, 1224 Quincy St. NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55413, United States
Opening reception and artist talk: Friday, Sept 6, 6-9 PM. Artists talk moderated by Aida Shahghasemi will be held on the day of the opening reception at 7:30-9:00 PM. Closing Reception: Saturday, Sept 21, 3-5 PM
The So Far, So Close exhibition explores the complicated experience of displacement
from the motherland through themes of space, distance, and memory by three Iranian female artists – Katayoun Amjadi, Ziba Rajabi and Shirin Ghoraishi – who reside outside of Iran by choice or by force.
Even though these artists have resided so far from their homeland for years, they feel so close to it, and distance has not diminished their love and care for it. Through the Persian language and Iranian culture, a part of their existence is defined by where they are from, regardless of where they take these temporal bodies. Meanwhile, they embrace and value their borderless life journey and cherish experiences that they have had as a result of a deliberate choice to live abroad and the opportunity to explore the unknown.
This work is funded in part by MHC with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Tales of Persia: Stories, Art and Play in Cumming Park
2024-08-24 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Cumming Park, 1219 Cumming Park Drive, Arden Hills, MN, 55112, United States
“Tales of Persia” is an engaging and creative outdoor event designed for children and families. This free event combines storytelling with interactive art activities, allowing kids to explore creativity while learning about Persian culture. It aims to introduce Persian culture to both Persian and non-Persian children and foster a love for storytelling and art while providing a fun and educational experience in a natural setting.
This event is funded in part by the Minnesota Humanities Center with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

"English" Play and Reception @ The Guthrie / ticket discounts available
2024-08-04 13:00 - 16:15 (America/Chicago) | Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Minneapolis, MN, 55415, United States
Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer prize-winning play, English, tells the story of four Iranians who studying English at a school in Karaj, hoping someday to emigrate. The performance will be followed by a reception at 3:10 with the director and performers. Light appetizers and tea will be served. At the reception, you will have the opportunity to share your own stories about learning English.
The Guthrie is offering 50% off code (promo code: ICC) for the Aug. 4 matinee. The code will have a limit of 6 tickets per person, with no restrictions on seating area. This is available by phone and window, not online, so you will need to contact the Box Office at 612.377.2224 during regular hours.

Reflections: Art Exhibit by Roya Nazari Najafabadi / Slideshow of Iran in 1976 by Stephan Kistler
2024-07-17 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Art @ 976, 967 Payne Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55130
We are delighted to invite all to the opening event and artist reception for our next exhibition, ‘REFLECTIONS’ – a solo show of paintings, photographs and mixed media installations by Roya Nazari Najafabadi.
Roya Nazari Najafabadi is an Iranian-born artist who lives in Minneapolis, MN. Through painting, photography, and mixed-media, she explores the experiences and struggles of Iranian women, including their resilience and quest for freedom. She seeks to tell stories, through her art forms, that otherwise would be kept silent, and raise awareness about the social/political challenges faced by Iranian Women today. She says: “My upcoming exhibition, ‘Reflections,’ captures my artistic journey and the collective Iranian experiences of Iranian women. It highlights their strength, creativity, and unwavering spirit.”
This exhibition, and the opening event, are co-sponsored by and created in close collaboration with the Twin Cities Iranian Culture Collective, as part of their Annual Iranian Culture Festival, and funded in part by the Metro Regional Arts Council with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
The opening event and artist reception on July 17 (6-9 pm) will include a brief presentation about her work by Roya Nazari Najafabadi. It will also feature a celebration of Iranian Culture through a slide show presentation by Stephan F. Kistler [ @artforpaynerelief ], documenting his travels to Iran way back during a spring break from ETH Zurich in 1976; a delicious sampling of Persian cuisine; and a curated program of Persian background music.
This invitation is open to all! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet the artist and see her outstanding art; learn about a country is not easily accessible to travelers; and experience first-hand its rich culture and most hospitable and welcoming people!

MSP International Film Festival: Critical Zone
2024-04-20 21:35 - 23:30 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
Critical Zone will be shown again at 9:35 p.m. on Saturday, May 20. For $3 discount, use promo code IRCMSPIFF24.
Amir drives through Tehran at night, dealing drugs and talking to the users, prostitutes, pimps, people in pain and other troubled souls. With his dog, he contemplates his loneliness and his, and his country’s, future.
Amir faces the monotony of work like anyone else. But in this case, he’s a nocturnal drug dealer, embracing Tehran’s invisible and impotent counterculture as an act of resistance. Director Ali Ahmadzadeh’s powerful and controversial film was shot in secret in Tehran, and used only amateur actors. A cry of defiance, Critical Zone has won praise around the world, but has also resulted in Ahmadzadeh being pressured by Iran’s Ministry of Security to withdraw the film from festivals, and in his being denied work in Iran.

MSP International Film Festival: Critical Zone
2024-04-18 19:35 - 21:35 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
This film will be shown again on Saturday, April 20 at 9:35 p.m.
Amir drives through Tehran at night, dealing drugs and talking to the users, prostitutes, pimps, people in pain and other troubled souls. With his dog, he contemplates his loneliness and his, and his country’s, future.
Amir faces the monotony of work like anyone else. But in this case, he’s a nocturnal drug dealer, embracing Tehran’s invisible and impotent counterculture as an act of resistance. Director Ali Ahmadzadeh’s powerful and controversial film was shot in secret in Tehran, and used only amateur actors. A cry of defiance, Critical Zone has won praise around the world, but has also resulted in Ahmadzadeh being pressured by Iran’s Ministry of Security to withdraw the film from festivals, and in his being denied work in Iran.
Purchase tickets at https://mspfilm.org/show/critical-zone/. For a $3 discount, use promo code IRCMSPIFF24.

MSP International Film Festival: Terrestrial Voices
2024-04-17 14:45 - 16:15 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
This film will be repeated again on Thursday, April 25 at 11:50 a.m.
Inspired by ghazal, a style of Persian poetry, Terrestrial Verses collects interviews with people from Iran as they navigate the perplexing bureaucracy that penetrates everyday life. From birth to death, these citizens try desperately, often with humor, to endure.Directors Ali Asgari and Alireza Khatami have gathered a group of people, of all ages, staring at a fixed camera, to speak their mind, to try to reason with the unreasonable, as they face down Iran’s bizarre and labyrinthian order–from teachers, to religious leaders, to government functionaries. In doing so they have captured, in these 77 minutes, and with humor, anger, and sadness, the whole of a country in the grips of madness.Purchase tickets at: https://mspfilm.org/show/terrestrial-verses/For a $3 discount, use promo code IRCMSPIFF24.

MSPIFF Film Festival: In the Land of Brothers
2024-04-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
This film will be shown again on Thursday, April 18 at 2:30 p.m. Almost 5 million Afghan refugees live in Iran, and most of them are in the fraught position of being suddenly deported back to a dangerous existence. Filmmakers Raha Amirfazli and Alireza Ghasemi follow three separate tales that superbly illustrate this little-known plight of a people left almost stateless by decades of conflict. Use promo code IRCMSPIFF24 for a $3 discount.

Voices Unveiled: A Nowruz Concert and Community Gathering
2024-03-30 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, MN, 55102
Voices Unveiled is an innovative music ensemble established in November 2022 by Ehsan Matoori, a virtuoso santoor player and accomplished composer. Collaborating with two extraordinary Iranian female vocalists, Maliheh Moradi and Mina Deris, who recently relocated to the United States from Iran, the ensemble brings a unique blend of talent and cultural richness to the stage.
The performance will be in Farsi and Arabic, but you won’t have to speak either language to appreciate the music and its message: translation of the lyrics will be displayed on the large screen behind the stage.
While the primary objective of Voices Unveiled is to poignantly depict the harsh realities and injustices experienced by Iranian women, particularly those in the artistic field, the ensemble also aspires to authenticate Iranian culture and art, particularly during revered ancient celebrations like Yalda, Nowruz, Tirgan, and Mehregan.
The performance will be followed by a reception with the artists, with Persian tea and cookies.
For directions and parking information: https://ordway.org/visit/directions-parking/.

Get your tickets here.
Presented by the Twin Cities Iranian Culture Collective.

Film: BELOVED (DELBAND)
2024-01-14 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
Life as a herder is hard and solitary, but 82-year-old Iranian Firouzeh loves the ever-changing nature, the hard life and her faithful cows. She hikes across the rugged landscape, hauls bundles of wood and still nimbly climbs trees. Beloved follows this strong-minded woman as she toils in all seasons and tells the story of her life, with work and fate as the dominant themes. When she was a young girl, a marriage was arranged for her with an older man, with whom she had 11 children. But not one of them comes to visit her now. Spending the winter in the low-lying village, she makes fervent efforts to get closer to her kids. Nevertheless, she looks forward to the prospect of spending another summer in the mountains with her cows, ignoring well-meaning advice that she should simply retire.

Film: THE STRANGER AND THE FOG (GHARIBEH VA MEH)
2024-01-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
Another holy grail of Cinema-ye Motafavet (Iranian New Wave) has been found and brought back to life. Impossible to see for decades, Bahram Beyzaie’s dazzling Gharibeh va meh, about a mysterious stranger arriving at a coastal village in a drifting boat and falling for a woman, is now fully restored from original camera and sound negatives.
In this endlessly symbolic tale, ghosts of the past, narrow-minded villagers and forces beyond the control of the characters take the viewer into a dizzying labyrinth of rituals. In the film’s meticulously structured circular narrative, characters, times and spaces rhyme and mirror each other, turning filmmaking into an act of dreaming. Gharibeh va meh and later Cherike-ye Tara represent one of the strongest duos of Iranian cinema; in both, characters are the product of each other’s imagination before transitioning into myth. They also share the mysteries of the sea, the use of pre-existing folk music instead of a musical score, the presence of myth and symbolism, heavy influence from Persian classical theatre and literature, and giving prominence (in terms of both attention/desire and control) to strong-willed women who transcend the confines of the victimized women of 1970s Iranian cinema. –Ehsan Khoshbakht (for Il Cinema Ritrovato)

The Stranger and the Fog was restored in 4K using the original camera and sound negatives and was carried out at L’Immagine Ritrovata in 2023. Color grading was supervised by Bahram Beyzaie. With special thanks to Ehsan Khoshbakht and Mozhdeh Shamsai.

OPPONENT (MOTSTÅNDAREN)
2024-01-13 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
Official Selection for Sweden – Best International Feature Film, 96th Academy Awards
In the aftermath of a devastating rumor, Iman and his family have been forced to flee Iran. As refugees, they end up in a run-down hotel in northern Sweden.
Despite feeling powerless, Iman tries to maintain his role as the family patriarch. To increase their chances of asylum, he breaks a promise to his wife and joins the local wrestling club. As the rumours start to resurface, Iman’s fear and desperation begin to take a hold.

Film: A REVOLUTION ON CANVAS
2024-01-13 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
Part art-heist, part family drama, part political thriller. In this hybrid political thriller and verité portrait documentary, Sara Nodjoumi, working with co-director and husband, Till Schauder, makes her directorial debut with this personal film, diving into the mystery surrounding the disappearance of more than 100 “treasonous” paintings by her father, seminal Iranian modern artist Nickzad Nodjoumi.

film: THE PERSIAN VERSION
2024-01-12 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
Coming from two countries at odds with each other, Iranian-American Leila (Layla Mohammadi) strives to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures, while boldly challenging the labels society is so quick to project upon her. When her family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant, Leila navigates her relationships at arm’s length in an effort to keep her “real” life separate from her family life. However, when her secret is unceremoniously revealed, so are the distinct parallels between her life and that of her mother Shireen (Niousha Noor). Punctuated by a bright color palette, snappy comedic relief, and vibrant dance numbers, The Persian Version delivers an honest portrayal of a woman who remains unapologetically herself, blended seamlessly into a heartfelt story about family, belonging, and the undeniable influence of pop music.
Winning both the Audience Award and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, writer-director-producer Maryam Keshavarz delivers a universal and timely story of the Iranian and the Iranian-American experience.

2023/24 MSP Iranian Film Fest
2024-01-12 17:00 - 2024-01-14 21:00 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
Note new dates: The 2023 MSP Iranian Film Showcase has been postponed, and will be presented in partnership with the MSP Film Society, January 12-14 2024 at The Main Cinema – 115 SE Main St, Minneapolis. More details coming soon!

Twin Cities Mehregan Fall Iranian Culture Festival
2023-10-07 10:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | 526 Selby Ave. , St. Paul, MN, 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul, MN, 55102
We are excited to announce the lineup for our 2023 Fall Iranian Culture Festival, “Mehregan: A Persian Celebration of Love, Kindness and Hope, to be held October 7 at the new 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul event space. (Enter next to salon.)

The doors will open at: 11:00 a.m. with:

a display of Iranian tapestry, embroidery and silver works, from the collections of Niccu Tafarrodi.
a chaikhaneh (tea house) featuring Iranian tea served from traditional Iranian samovars, and sweets provided by the Southdale’s Luminous Cafe.

Lunch items will be available for purchase from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. , including chicken or lamb skewers (koobideh) with flat bread. Cooked on an outdoor grill by master chef Alireza.
The afternoon program kicks off at 1:15 p.m. with a welcome by TCICC board chair Hossein Jalali.
1:30 – 2:30 A special appearance by singer-songwriter-artist Marjan Farsad, before she begins her national tour. She’s performing in the Twin Cities on November 5!
2:30 – 3:30 Pianist Faraz Ghassemi performs a program of music inspired by his Iranian heritage, including classical melodies, pop favorites and original compositions.
3:30 – 4:30 – the poetry of Omar Khayyam, set to music like you have never heard it before! Setar master Dan Rein sings and plays the setar, dotar, and dotar banjo, accompanied by Mikkel Beckman on washboard, Sean Egan on bass clarinet and percussion, and Matt Cartier (from the popular Americana / Roots band Pert Near Sandstone) on banjo.
4:30-5:30 Classical Persian Dancer Parisa Naini and the Shirzan Dance Ensemble performing traditional Iranian folk dances. Just back from their appearance at the San Antonio, Texas Mehregan festival!
5:30 – 7:00 – light dinner fare for purchase, including aush reshteh (barley noodle soup), meat cutlet sandwiches and kuku sabzi (Iranian veggie quiche).
7:00 – Music on the cutting edge – a “telematic electronic ambient jazz composition with visual arts,” performed by guitarist composer Niayesh Shababi on stage, with Mohamad Nikpour connecting remotely from Quebec.
8:00 p.m. – 9:30: dancing to Persian pop with DJ Mohammad Sargazi.

Persian / Farsi Conversation Group
2023-08-20 13:30 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Luminous Cafe, Southdale Center, Edinas
Our next Persian / Farsi Conversation group gathering will be 1:30 PM on Sunday August 20 at the Luminous Cafe in the Southdale Center, Edina. Persian pastries and maybe ash reshte (noodle soup) will be available for purchase. Let us know if you can join us!

Persian Inspirations Concert
2023-06-11 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Rog Amphitheater, Roseville, MN
Music and dance from the Persian world presented by the TC Iranian Culture Collective, in Roseville’s Central Park! This year’s concert features singer Sear Azizi, singing popular songs in Farsi, Dari and Tajik, accompanied by Rachel Molloy, percussion, and Milan Ebrahimi, guitar. Plus a dance performance by Parisa Naini and the Shirzan Dance Collective.
Bring blankets, lawn chairs, picnic baskets, grab a spot and enjoy the sights and sounds at this free event, part of the Creative Crossroads series that features a different world region each Sunday evening.

SEE YOU FRIDAY, ROBINSON
2023-04-16 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
This film will be shown again on Thursday, April 20 at 1:40 pm.
Faced with a setback on one of her own films, Mitra Farahani works as a sort-of cinematic matchmaker, orchestrating a correspondence between beloved Iranian filmmaker Ebrahim Golestan and the legendary Jean-Luc Godard.
Through persistence, talent, and luck, Farahani brings the initially reluctant filmmakers together through emails, photos, videos and letters.

WORLD WAR III
2023-04-14 21:50 - 23:50 (America/Chicago) | The Main Cinema, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, 55414
This film will be shown again on Wednesday, April 19 at 1:30 pm, and Wednesday, April 26 at 9:40 pm.
Houman Seyedi’s World War III, a searing social critique, captivated audiences at the 2022 La Biennale di Venezia, and was Iran’s surprise entry to this year’s Academy Awards.
Shakib (Mohsen Tanabandeh) is a homeless man with a tragic past. He spends most of his time as a day worker, taking any job he can get to earn enough money to spend time with a prostitute he has come to love. His most recent job is at a construction site, which turns out to be the set of a film production about Nazi atrocities. Shakib and many of his co-workers are coerced into being extras in the film, and then, by way of an accident, Shakib is cast against his will as Adoph Hitler, sending him down a fateful and treacherous path.

Being an Iranian Jew in the Islamic Republic: Pivoting against a double erasure
2023-03-29 12:00 - 2023-04-16 13:00 (America/Chicago) | 325 Nicholson Hall, University of Minnesota, 216 Pillsbury DR SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
This talk will explore the ways Iranian Jews get to assert their place. With the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Muslim identity became almost synonymous with the possibility of identifying as Iranian. Yet, religious minorities exist in Iran today and are on a constant journey and struggle to find their voice and agency in the country. The pressures Iranian Jews face are unique but comparable to the ones faced by Armenians and Zoroastrians. This talk will offer ways to read the Jewish and other minorities in the context of contemporary Iranian society.
Lior Sternfeld is an associate professor of history and Jewish Studies at Penn State Unversity, and the author of “Between Iran and Zion: Jewish Histories of Twentieth-Century Iran,” (Stanford University Press, 2018).

Nowruz Concert and Community Gathering
2023-03-25 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | MN
In observance of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, the Twin Cities Iranian Culture Collective cordially invites you to “United For Freedom: An Iranian Nowruz Concert and Community Gathering,” to be held Saturday, March 25, 5-9 p.m. in the theater of the Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN. The evening will feature performances by award-winning composer, vocalist, and setar virtuoso Fared Shafinury; and classical Persian dancer Parisa Naini and the Shirzan Dance Collective. Light Iranian hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Hemisphere Restaurants Catering, with Persian sweets by Luminous Cafe. Buy tickets at bit.ly/NowruzMN2023.

2022 Twin Cities Iranian Film Festival
2022-08-17 11:00 - 2022-08-19 20:00 UTC | MN
The 2022 Twin Cities Iranian Film Festival will be presented in partnership with the MSP Film Society, August 17-19 at MSP Film at The Main – 115 SE Main St, Minneapolis. More details coming soon!
