During this period of social distancing, Farhang Foundation celebrates the performing arts by inviting esteemed artists to perform short segments in our new web series Farhang Performances at home. The Hoopoe then offers the rose The Parable of the Princess and the Beggar. The Hoopoe reminds the Partridge that even with all that power, nobody remains on earth for eternity. The libretto is drawn from Sufi mystic poet Attar's seminal text about . A series of compelling lectures in conjunction with the historic PERSIA: ANCIENT IRAN AND THE CLASSICAL WORLD exhibition by the Getty Villa Musuem. He fell to the dust in a flood of tears. UCSB Lecture Series on Iranian Modern and Contemporary Art. UCI and Farhang Foundation partner to enhance the study and The Nightingale is warned of superficial and delusive love, the parrot of false immortality, the duck of frivolous attachments, the Heron of misguided longing and so on. These are the custodians of one of the richest cultures in the world and benefit from learning more about their art and culture. He is an advocate of innovative and adventurous music and approaches this advocacy as a performer, composer, conductor and entrepreneur. We further this mission through three methods: creation, curation, and education. The basic story of Conference of the Birds is that thousands of birds gather from around the world to decide who their sovereign shall be. His music has been performed in Europe, China, and across the United States. When that droplet first appears, it is replete with reflections. Her most recent book is The Conference of the Birds (W. W. The Hoopoe is elected to lead them through the perilous journey. Beyond the laboratories, research centers and classrooms, USC Dornsife serves as a dynamic intellectual resource that is woven into the fabric of our communities. This is our core model and involves local performance organizations (community choir, college, etc) in conjunction with the original principals. Composer: Fahad Siadat; poet/LIBRETTIS: Sholeh Wolp; Original Story: Fard ud-Dn Attar; Lighting Design: R.S. He has conducted choirs at Columbia University, CalArts, and Chaffey College. When the birds hear the description of these valleys, they bow their heads in distress; some even die of fright right then and there. The celebration of Shab-e Yalda (winter solstice) is an evening dedicated to poetry, music and storytelling. And so, through the voice of the Hoopoe, Attar implores his readers to undertake this fascinating journey. With full support from USC, Farhang Foundation spearheaded this initiative with one goal in mind: to create a thriving and comprehensive Iranian Studies program at USC. Sholeh Wolp's translation of Attar's The Conference of the Birds was published in March 2017 by W. W. Norton & Co. Sholeh will be discussing the book this Thursday, April 6 at Poets House in NYC.. Can literature save the world? Attars use of everyday details, stories, and historical chronicles is a masterful technique he invented to animate the deeper meanings of what we consider reality.. Those for the dancers, however, were lovely. The Conference of the Birds - Wikipedia Sholeh Wolp is a poet and playwright. Words Without Borders is the premier destination for a global literary conversation. As a composer, his music has been performed in Europe, China, and across the United States. The story is structured like nesting dolls, utilizing smaller tales and parables nestled within a larger narrative to advance the voyage of the birds. The Hoopoe plays a central role in the poem - as a 'spiritual guide' and leader of the pilgrim-birds. Valley of Knowledge, where worldly knowledge becomes utterly useless.4. The voices of the wonderful cast of singers, led by composer Siadat, carried one through the journey, helping one to see, understand, and feel the obstacles the birds faced, their pain of defeat, and the joy of those 30 whose quest was realized. Farhang Foundation presents its annual exhibit "Iran Through Books" at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC. Who knows what you might end up discovering about yourself! To hear his work, visit www.fahadsiadat.com. Since launching in 2009, Farhang Foundation has set out to recognize those remarkable individuals who have dedicated their lives to the preservation of Iranian culture and history, the advancement of Iranian studies, and the enrichment of society through their extraordinary artistic contributions. Farhang Foundation hosts events throughout Southern California to mark this joyous occasion by providing diverse family-oriented cultural programming, concerts, traditional music, dancers, cuisine, and more. The Hoopoe once again steps in with words of encouragement and wisdom. They travel thousands of miles across seven valleys (Guest, Love, Knowledge, Detachment, Unity, Wonderment, and Poverty and Annihilation) in search of Simorgh. PERFORMANCE IN ENGLISH . The extremely talented featured singers were: Anne Harley, Hoopoe; Amanda Achen, Soprano; Molly Pease, Mezzo-soprano; Saunder Choi, Tenor; Paul Chwe MinChul An, Baritone; David Conley, Baritone; James Hayden, Bass; Kirk Averitt, Bass; Drew Corey, Soprano; Corona De Los Santos, Tenor; Kion Heidari, Tenor; Vera Lugo, Alto; Ianthe Marini, Soprano; Joslyn Sarshad, Soprano; Ariana Stultz, Alto; Jacob Sidney, Bass; Chlo Vaught, Soprano; and Elizabeth Waller, Alto. at 7:30 pm. Librettist Sholeh Wolp offers seminars on poetry and translation, Iranian art and diaspora, and the life of Attar. Choreographer Megerdichian seamlessly wove the singers, who also moved and danced, and the two beautiful dancers, Catalina Jackson-Uruea, and Tippy Dringman through all twelve sections of the 60 minute work. That map is for all of us, regardless of race, color, or creed, and awaits, patiently, for us to take up the journey. Yet, whoever looks into that mirror will also behold his or her own image. Named a 2020-2021 Cultural Trailblazer by the City of Los Angeles, Sholehs literary work numbers over twelve books and several plays. Their present situation doesnt seem so bad to them anymore. Persian Language Online is a free online resource supported by Farhang Foundation. They eventually come to understand that the majesty of that Beloved is like the sun that can be seen reflected in a mirror. Buck; Costume Design: Kate Poppen; Stage Manager: Anna Klevit; and Rehearsal Director Jennifer Deckert. Farhang Foundation | Los Angeles CA - Facebook The Hawk is too conscious and proud of his social-status as a companion to Kings & Royals. The poem begins with an elaborate welcome of each bird, highlighting their achievements and flaws. THE CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS. It evolves as we evolve. The chorus moves throughout the work embodying the birds on the journey while also functioning musically as the orchestra to tell the story and support the vocal solos. While it is a beautiful way to introduce Sufi thought and teachings, it is a poem with many lessons for our times. A large part of the poem is filled with one-on-one stories with the Hoopoe addressing each birds concern and excuse. He has appeared as soloist with LAs groundbreaking opera company The Industry, and the Grammy Award-Winning PARTCH and is regularly commissioned to write for concert music ensembles, dance companies, and theater troupes including: Cor Cantiamo, Theater Dybbuk, Rosanna Gamson Dance, Monmouth University, Jacksonville Dance Theater, the California EAR Unit, and the TOCCATA Orchestra. views, 160 likes, 32 loves, 8 comments, 26 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Farhang Foundation: Farhang Foundation was delighted to join forces with the BroadStage of Santa Monica in. The Conference of the Birds is told entirely through movement and a cappella song. Valley of Poverty and Annihilation, where the self disappears into the universe and the Wayfarer becomes timeless, existing in both the past and the future. Scroll to the end of this post to read an open-access version! The result is a landscape of visceral movement and sound outside of any one cultural tradition, creating a poignant and relatable experience through the human body and voice. On May 7, 2018, Farhang Foundation announced a historic gift of $1million dollars to the UCLA Herb Albert School ofMusic to launch the first Iranian Music Degree program outside of Iran. THE UNENDING THIRST with Sholeh Wolp, Fahad Siadat, Andr Megerdichian Join us for a live FREE talk about the artistic collaboration invoking the timeless wisdom of Attar's THE CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS through Poetry, Music, and Dance. Sholeh Wolp, librettist, Sholeh Wolp is a poet and playwright. In this light, to die means to let go of our lower self, and when that happens, church, temple, pagoda, mosque, or synagogue, religion or faithlessness, virtue or vice, all disappear and become irrelevant. Programs - Farhang It adheres to a meter of ten or eleven syllables per line, in rhyming couplets. One of the birds says. But despite their trepidations, they begin the great journey. When water itself is not stable, how can you use it as a firm foundation? Attar tells us that truth is not static, and that we each tread a path according to our own capacity. He holds a BFA from Butler University and MFA from the California Institute of the Arts. Farhang Connect: Attar, The Unending Thirst - YouTube at 7:30 pm. With these words, the Hoopoe encouraged the Peacock, to look at the bigger picture and aspire for the higher goals; explaining that the quest for ultimate wisdom must not be limited by oneself or the system! The Conference of the Birds presented at the Getty Villa - Facebook Jahangir Period | Chazen Museum of Art A storytelling series dedicated to our youngest Farhangees. Named a 2020-2021 Cultural Trailblazer by the City of Los Angeles, Sholehs literary work numbers over twelve books and several plays. > "Conference of the Birds" - Sholeh Wolp, Librettist - Photo by Vafa Khatami This is not a spiritual teaching that is shared by many eastern religions. Professor Shafiei Kadkani places Hafez, the other mystical . Special kudos must be given to Siadat who took his chorus of singers and composed a symphony without any other musical instruments. Andr Megerdichian has worked with such companies as the Limn Dance Company, Dance Kaleidoscope, The Mary Anthony Dance Theatre, and Janis Brenner and Dancers, among others. While in Long Beach, he formed his own company, Jeff Slayton & Dancers, that operated from 1978 to 1983. The Conference of the Birds is an a capella oratorio composed by Fahad Siadat and with a libretto by Sholeh Wolp that follows the birds of the world who embark on a journey to find their sovereign, Simorgh, a mythical creature. It features prominently in Persian visual culture including architectural landmarks and art too! This priceA jewel extracted from great Solomon,How would it hinder such a dizzy oneAs you, dear partridge? Featuring an a capella choir and seven soloists acting narratively and orchestrally, accompanied by a dancer. Attending birds include the Hoopoe, the Finch, the Parrot, the Partridge, the Falcon, the Francolin, the Nightingale, the Peacock, the Cock pheasant, the Pigeon, the Turtle-Dove, the Hawk, and the Goldfinch. Attar's CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS - World Premiere at The - First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Dance Shorts Film Festival: a compendium of 17 short dance films, Ces noms que nous portons: A Stunning Collaboration, Its Not About Pretty Performs at the Bootleg Theater, BLAKTINX Alumni Concert Ingredientes exemplified the diversity of creativity within the Latinx community. He has served as a faculty member at The Limn Institute (NYC), the Duncan Center Conservatory in Prague Czech Republic, created choreography and taught master classes and workshops, throughout the United States, Europe, and China. Farhang Foundation is a 100% member-supported nonreligious, nonpolitical, and not-for-profit foundation with a mission to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community-at-large. The Conference of the Birds Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary In Persian, Si=30 and murgh=birds. By becoming proficient in Persian language, as well as the history, culture, and contributions of Iran, students will learn about a complex region of the world that is increasingly at the center of todays political climate and international affairs, as well as gain a competitive edge in the job market. where began teaching at California State University, Long Beach as a part time faculty member. Whatever has its foundation in water, be it fire, is nothing but illusion. at The Broad, 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 . Valley of Wonderment, where, entranced by the beauty of the Beloved, the Wayfarer becomes perplexed and, steeped in awe, finds that he or she has never known or understood anything.7. Farhang Foundation in collaboration with local museums and galleries, presents FOCUS IRAN: Contemporary Photography and Video, a biennial juried exhibition of contemporary photography and video works relating to Iranian culture or heritage. Based on Sufi mystic poet Attars seminal text, The Conference of the Birds is a new, movement driven, a cappella oratorio about the journey of the soul as it seeks union with the Divine. The Parrot, always having lived in a cage dreams of immortality and refuses to take a journey where it might perish! Rise above this greed;The Simorgh is the only jewel you need.. As lyricist/ librettist, Sholeh has written for international composers such as Huba de Graaf (Netherlands), Aida Shirazi (Canada), Sahba Motallebi (U.S./ Iran), Niloufar Nourbakhsh (U.S.), Sahba Aminikia (U.S./ Iran), Shawn Crouch (U.S.), and Chris Gordon (U.S.), Fahad Siadat (U.S), Ramin Amin Tafreshi (Netherlands), among others. The ocean can be yours; why should you stopBeguiled by dreams of evanescent dew?The secrets of the sun are yours, but youContent yourself with motes trapped in beams.. The Hoopoe continues to narrate anecdotes at every stage. The princess secretly summons the man and out of compassion bids him to escape. Farhang Foundation is a non-religious, non-political, and not-for-profit foundation (501.c.3 Tax Exempt ID: 26-1574533) established in 2008by a group of philanthropists in Southern CA. The Simurgh, claims the Hoopoe, is the King they all seek. 243 likes, 16 comments - Farhang Foundation (@farhangfoundation) on Instagram: "Attar's CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS - World Premiere at The @broadstage_sm Farhang . Farhang Foundation hosts events throughout Southern California to mark this joyous occasion by providing diverse family-oriented cultural programming, concerts, traditional music, dancers, cuisine, and more. Website: sholehwolpe.com. "We are the birds in the story. For the best experience using our website, we recommend upgrading your browser to a newer version or switching to a supported browser. Your email address will not be published. The Conference of the Birds is an allegorical epic poem about our human struggle, both physical and spiritual. Website: sholehwolpe.com. Download 2019-2021 Annual Report (21MB PDF), first-ever Iranian Studies program at USC, Terms of Use, Disclaimers and Privacy Policy. The Farhang Foundation. IranianHotline - Iranian American Information- Persian Events & Iranian Below you will find specific activities from each member of the artistic team that can be programmed before or after the performance. Mission. Attar's CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS - World Premiere at The - Facebook Founded in 2009, the Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival has quickly become a leading festival dedicated to celebrating Iranian heritage through short film, video and animation. Iranian Hotline is a non-religious and non-political Iranian-American Resource Guide. Valley of Detachment, where all desires and attachments to the world are given up. This united response is a sign of humanitys awakening to an unprecedented milestone which the 12th century Iranian Sufi mystic poet Attar calls the power of unity in diversity.. An assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina and Co-Artistic Director of The Resonance Collective, his work is rooted in the humanistic, highly physical, explorations of modern dance traditions while exploring the diverse tensions and curiosities of today. The foundation works in three ways to achieve its goals: Download 2019-2021 Annual Report (21MB PDF). Sholeh Wolps translation of AttarsThe Conference of the Birdswas published in March 2017 by W. W. Norton & Co. Sholeh will be discussing the book this Thursday, April 6 at Poets House in NYC. Id rather die deceived by dreams than giveMy heart to home and trade and never live. Farhang Foundation is a member-supported, non-religious, non-political, not-for-profit organization established in 2008 to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community-at-large. The Hoopoe, ca. Poet-in Residence at University of California, Irvine, Farhang FoundationContributors LEARN MORE. Jeff Slayton was one of the faculty members that helped design the Dance Center at CSULB as well as develop and implement the BFA, MFA and MA degree programs. Like any other journey, or quest-narrative, there are hurdles in this one too. Her most recent book, Abacus of Loss: A Memoir in Verse is lauded by National Book Award finalist Ilya Kaminsky as a book that created its own genrea thrill of lyric combined with the narrative spell.. Nowruz Ther Vernal Equinox marks the beginning of Spring and Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. Voice Festival, a week long celebration of the human voice with a focus on redefining the oratorio as a modern sacred storytelling form, holistic contemporary vocal performance, and compositional techniques. We curate exceptional music from traditions around the world through the Golden Thread Concert Series. We are the birds in the story. Farhang Foundations Iranian Studies Initiative at the University of Southern California (ISI at USC) is a multi-phased effort launched in 2010 to establish a first-ever Iranian Studies program at USC. Before we spoke, we moved, we danced, we told stories and communed with the spirits of heaven and earth with our bodies. Valley of Love, where reason is abandoned for the sake of love.3. The sea can reflect the sky with its moving stars, shifting clouds, gestations of the moon, and migrating birdsbut ultimately the sea is not the sky. This includes two weekends with the composer and choreographer, and five days to rehearse with principals. Farhang Foundation on Instagram: "Attar's CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS Cast members can be heard on major motion picture soundtracks, choral and solo albums, and performing in music venues around the globe including Walt Disney Concert Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Musical Hall, Tokyo Garden Theatre, Banff Center for the Arts, and the Hollywood Bowl. When the Hoopoe urges them to travel the distance, the birds come up with their own excuses. Twelfth century Persian poet Farid Ud-Din Attar's epic poem The Conference of the Birds is now adapted in a gorgeously illustrated book by Peter Sis. Structure and Process Farhang Foundation is a member supporter nonreligious, nonpolitical,. He has performed as soloist with LAs groundbreaking opera company The Industry, PARTCH, and the Twilight Orchestra. Featured image: Cast of Conference of the Birds Photo by Vafa Khatami, Jeff has had a long and influential career as a dancer, choreographer, and educator. When the ego is annihilated, the inner eye blinks open and we reclaim our true identity. In 2012, he founded See-A-Dot Music Publishing, a company devoted to the advocacy of adventurous choral music. The Conference of the Birds follows the birds of the world who embark on a journey to find their sovereign, Simorgh, a divine/mythical creature. While crossing the Valley of Detachment, the Hoopoe narrates a beautiful story about the moth & flame. Help support Farhang Foundations free programming, donate today! . If you are a fan of allegories, symbolism, and witty humour, the Conference of the Birds is a must-read. Thats why our mission at Farhang Foundation is to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community-at-large. Sholeh Wolp is an Iranian-American poet, playwright and librettist. MANTIQ UT TAYR (Conference of the Birds) is a Persian poem by Sufi poet Farid-ud-din Attar. His work is rooted in the deeply humanistic, highly physical, explorations of modern dance traditions while exploring the diverse multitude of tensions and curiosities of today. with Sholeh Wolp, Fahad Siadat, Andr Megerdichian. The princess replied: Artless man, when I first saw you I was laughing at you, fool. Can Literature Save the World? On Translating Attar's "The Conference Featured soloists: Anne Harley, Fahad Siadat, Amanda Achen, Molly Pease, Saunder Choi, David Conley, Paul Chwe Minchul An, James Hayden, Featured dancers: Catalina Jackson-Uruea & Tippy Dringman, In recent decades the advent of internet and social media has enabled people of various cultures and creeds to band together in response to the gathering darkness in our world the rampant violence instigated and nourished by political greed, religious extremism and unabashed bigotry. Those who are trapped within their own dogma, clinging to hardened beliefs or faith, are deprived of the journey toward the unfathomable Divine, which Attar calls the Great Ocean. All quotes are fromThe Conference of the Birds, by Attar, translated by Sholeh Wolp (W. W. Norton & Co, 2017). at The Broad, 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 . Ther Vernal Equinox marks the beginning of Spring and Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. Although the power it brought the king was real,Possession of this gem meant that delayDogged his advance along the spirits Way The other prophets entered paradiseFive hundred years before the king. Each of those mediums was an expression of desire, born of a necessity to connect. By nature, it is liquid. After addressing all their concerns and fears, the Hoopoe describes in great detail, and beautiful language, the seven valleys they must cross in order to reach the court of the great Simorgh: 1. They are accompanied throughout the narrative by two dancers who serve as physical manifestations of the ideas being sought. Some arrive at it as pure drops of water, enter, are absorbed, and become one with the Ocean; others arrive trapped inside themselves, egos intact, and enter the welcoming Ocean as well. About - Farhang In 2020, Sholeh was named a Cultural Trailblazer by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. PDF The Conference of the Birds - WordPress.com HEX is committed to performing works that reimagine the expressive potential of the human voice and reframing the expressive possibilities of the human voice. The work utilizes virtuosic physicality and musical techniques found in singing styles across the globe. While crossing the Valley of Unity, the Hoopoe narrates an anecdote about the lovers who have become one. He became a full time faculty member in 1986 and continued to teach at CSULB until 1999. Like the birds of this story, we may take flight together, but the journey itself will be different for each of us. Fahad and Andr also offer a joint seminar on composer/choreographer collaborations, as well as a studio lab for undergraduate and graduate students, leading to the creation of a newly devised music/dance piece. Attar's The Conference of the Birds - World Stage Premiere - Facebook USC Dornsife Middle East Studies Program and the Farhang Foundation presented the inaugural Farhang Foundation Iranian Studies Initiative Conference on Friday, April 10, 2015. . As a composer, his music has been performed in Europe, China, and across the United States. The journey is longand the thought of death frightens me.I am neither brawny nor brave.My heart is so terrified of deaththat I may not even lastthrough the first leg of this quest. two performances. Information about Attars life is scarce and has been mythologized over the centuries. Farhang Foundation proudly presents: ATTAR: THE UNENDING THIRST with Sholeh Wolp, Fahad Siadat, Andr Megerdichian.A talk about the artistic collaboration invoking the timeless wisdom of Attar's THE CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS through Poetry, Music, and Dance. And so began the conference. Videos by Farhang Foundation in Los Angeles. Attar repeatedly warns us about our conceited selves, our nafs (), which I have translated as ego, from the Latin root g, meaning I, our lower self, the upholder of self-righteousness and self-proclaimed truths. An assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina and Co-Artistic Director of The Resonance Collective, his work is rooted in the humanistic, highly physical, explorations of modern dance traditions while exploring the diverse tensions and curiosities of today. We educate creative musicians during the annual N.E.O. The entire evening was sung a cappella, with the stunning voices becoming a full orchestra. The human soul is genderless, and I have respected that in my translation. dance, choreography, premire | 5.9K views, 38 likes, 5 loves, 2 comments, 4 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Farhang Foundation: Farhang Foundation and The Broad Stage Present: THE CONFERENCE OF. THE CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS, World Premiere . Twelfth-century Persian and contemporary English are as different as sky and sea. Presently she is the Author-in-Residence at UCI. Farhang Foundation is a 100% member-supported nonreligious, nonpolitical, and not-for-profit foundati Farhang Foundation | Los Angeles CA The Conference of the Birds cast is a critically acclaimed, internationally recognized group of performers who have appeared as soloists with renowned organizations including the New York Philharmonic, LA Opera, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, The Industry, and London Symphony Orchestra.
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