Friday 22 July 2011

Tirgan Festival (1)




   I’m going to the Tirgan or Iranian festival this weekend. It’s on from Thursday to Sunday and the video gives you a sampling of the event. I think that Toronto has something for any nationality or ethnic group which you can imagine. There’s even part of Toronto that is referred to as Little Nepal.  From the festival website:
Tirgan 2011 – with the theme of 'Visions of Eternity’ – takes many years of invaluable experience to new heights as it commemorates Tirgan, an ancient Iranian celebration observed in the month of July (the month of Tir in the Persian calendar).
There are many legends on the origins of Tirgan. One legend describes that Iran and Turan, two long standing enemies, decided to declare peace by demarcating the boundaries between the two empires. Arash, the best archer in the Iranian army, was chosen to ascend Mount Damavand to shoot an arrow whose landing location would determine the boundary. The arrow flew from dawn to noon and fell on the banks of Jihun, and the boundaries of Iran expanded beyond all expectations.
This led to Tirgan festivities and contributed to enhancing the richness of the Iranian culture over the course of three millennia. Today, Iran’s population is composed of over fifteen different ethnic groups with their own dialect or language, outfit, music, dance, and cuisine.

  I’ll try to get as many pictures as I can as well as sample the variety of food.

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