“Everything in dance is poetry. Every movement describes a story, a feeling. The dancer takes the audience into a world of fairy tales.” ~Farima Berenji
A Lecture by Scholar and Ethnologist, Farima Berenji We have always known of Christmas on December 25th, with a traditional decorated tree, candles, and gifts. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ yet its rituals and traditions far precede that time. Unquestionably, our ancestors adopted the rituals from an ancient Iranian pagan religion known as Mithraism, […]
Join us for an evening celebrating Yalda (winter solstice), the longest night of the year. Shab-e Yalda (Yalda Night) is the Persian Winter Solstice Celebration on the eve of the Winter Solstice. The Persians believed that this night is the night of the birth of Ahura Mazda and Mithra, Persian God of Light and Truth. […]
Sepandārmazgān was a day when women rested and men had to bring them gifts.Learn of the history and origins of Sepandārmazgān, the Persian festival of love, in this enchanting one hour lecture by Persian Scholar Farima Berenji. Sepandārmazgān is dedicated to Spenta Armaiti also known as “Diana” the Persian Goddess of love, beauty, and desire. […]
Mithrasim, Zoroastrianism, and our cultural roots The roots of mystical thinking were found in ancient Iran. The philosophy of Iranian mysticism by nature fosters adoption of other cultures. It is not based on a single source but is based on many, and that philosophy traveled to emerge among many civilizations. Many of today's […]
Cultural Integration Fellowship Spring Celebration of the Naw-Ruz Festival, The Baha'i New Year Please join us for a presentation hosted by Nushin Mavaddat and Baha'i friends celebrating the Spring renewal in the worlds of nature, ideas, and spirit. Farima Berenji is one of the guest presenters in this online celebration. Dr. Elena's talk, The Spiritual […]
Mistikler Kervanı-Sufi İnzivası
Music and Sema Workshops, Zikr, Sema Gathering, Sacred Circles, Sohbet With Yarsan Pir (Master) Seyed Salman Hosseini, Sufi Dance Master, Farima Berenji, and musicians and teachers Evren Evin, Evan Phillips, Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev and others... UPDATE: Master Seyed Vessal Hosseini from Iran (vocalist), the amazing Fatih Kocer from Turkey (vocalist and musician), and Dr. Reza […]
Legends of the Ancient Iranic Female Warriors and Commanders In ancient Persia, women were considered living goddesses and many had important positions in court of law, ministries, military, state departments, and other official administrative positions. Many ancient Persian cities and states were ruled by women and had their army under full control of female commanders. […]
A Lecture by Scholar and Ethnologist, Farima Berenji Learn the little known background of the Persian Magi who journeyed toward the sacred star on Christmas in this delightful holiday lecture by Farima Berenji. There are many stories of the Magi. Were the Persian Magi priests, a coven of sorcerers, or a class of highly educated […]
Join us for an evening gathering sharing stories, poetry, and more for Yalda, the winter solstice. This year we dedicate our evening with prayers and sacred rituals honoring the bravery of the Iranian people who are facing a long period of unrest. Feel free to share stories or poetry during this third annual online Yalda […]
The annual State of the County held by the Santa Clara County Supervisors includes 2023 State of the County address by Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg. The event celebrates our community with Dance performances by Mosaic America and the Simorgh Dance Collective Music with the Lincoln High School Orchestra Student Art Gallery Exhibition by […]