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Awards

The Nowruz Award 2019 – Professor Seyed-Emami

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Professor Seyed-Emami is the recipient of 2019 “Nowruz Award for Personality of the Year in the Field of Environment and Natural Heritage.”

Dr. Kavous Seyed-Emami was a sociologist, environmentalist, university professor, co-founder
and director of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation. We honor Professor Kavous Seyed-Emami posthumously for his life of dedication and hard work on behalf of Iran’s natural heritage and his tireless efforts devoted to conservation and preservation in Iran. Professor Seyed-Emami is the recipient of 2019 “Nowruz Award for Personality of the Year in the Field of Environment and Natural Heritage” for:
– His comprehensive planned projects for the preservation of Iran’s natural and environmental heritage
– For his extensive work on implementation of projects for rare animal habitat projects in Iran and Asia focusing on protecting and saving them from extinction
– For his efforts to bring together international researchers and experts in the field of
environmental subjects and assist them in order to help Iran’s environment
– For organizing programs in order to inform and educate people about the environmental
issues in Iran and assisting artists to engage people about the environment.
– For his decades of tireless struggles, devoted determination and a dedicated life to
preservation of Iran’s natural heritage.

Bio
Kavous Seyed-Emami (1953–2018) was an Iranian-Canadian university professor and a prominent environmentalist. Professor Seyed-Emami was a Western-educated Iranian and returned to Iran after the Iranian Revolution and fought in the war against Iraq. He later started his academic career as the professor of Sociology at Imam Sadiq University in Tehran and a visiting scholar at the University of Lethbridge in 2017. He was one of the founders of the
Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation (PWHF), a private non-profit organization dedicated to the
conservation and preservation of wildlife in Iran, which he led before his death.

Professor Seyed-Emami was arrested by the Iranian government and in February 2018, Iran’s judiciary claimed that he committed suicide while in detention in Evin Prison, Tehran, because of the evidence against him in a spying case. This claim, including the alleged suicide, has been vehemently rejected by his family.

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland offered her condolences and stated that Canada expects” the Government of Iran to provide information and answers into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.” She welcomed the return of Seyed-Emami’s sons back to Canada in March 2018 and asked the Government of Iran to lift the travel ban on Seyed-Emami’s spouse, Maryam Mombeini.

We honor Professor Kavous Seyed-Emami posthumously for dedicating his life to conservation and preservation of Iranian Natural heritage.

The Nowruz Award 2019 – Mr. Parviz Sayyad

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Mr. Parviz Sayyad, playwright, director, producer and actor of theater and cinema, is the recipient of 2019 “The Norouz Award for Best Artist of the Year in Theater and Cinema. He
receives this award for the following reasons:
– For his tireless decades of efforts and a life dedicated to Iranian cinema and theater both in Iran and in exile
– For his life time of artistic and creative ingenious on behalf of Iranian cinema and theater with exceptional artistic standards
– For creating lasting characters in Iranian cinema and theater
– For commitment to art and paying special attention to artistic values
– For his devotion to human rights and not forgetting human rights violations in Iran, and its
reflection on simple and popular drama.

Bio

Parviz Sayyad is unquestionably one of the best known Iranian actors and comedians of the
pre-revolution era in Iran. Even today, decades after the Iranian revolution, Mr. Sayyad is still a household name among Iranians. He is a showman, actor, talented comedian, director, screenwriter and producer of many TV shows and Iranian cinema. One of the most memorable characters he has played was actually created by him. The character “Samad”, a naive innocent country-boy, mischievous with a heart-of-gold whose views of life around him are simple, plain and to the point. Samad through his childish take on life, hinted at political/cultural issues of the time. The character Samad has been compared with Chaplin’s Tramp, and as a result, Mr. Sayyad is often referred to as Charlie Chaplin of Iran.

His first film, the comedic Hasan Kachal (1970), or “Hasan the Bald”, is well remembered. He later gained more fame starring in one of the oldest Iranian TV series “;OKTAPUS” playing the role of a well-mannered, diplomatic yet sneaky and soft-spoken board member. However, his real cinematic break came with one of the most famous Iranian TV series “Sarkar Ostovar” when he created and played the role of “Samad”.  After that, Sayyad went on to star in the famous “Samad” film series (somewhat reminiscent of the American “Ernest”series). His character, Samad (or Samad Agha, as he demanded others to call him), was a prominent comedic icon of Iran during the 1970s. His 1977 film Dead End was entered into the 10th Moscow International Film Festival.

PHF announces: The Iranian New Year 1397 is named as “The Year of Iranian Women”

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PHFAnnouncement:

The Iranian New Year 1397 is named as

“The Year of Iranian Women”

Pasargad Heritage Foundation (PHF), observing its annual tradition, and on the occasion of “Nowruz” – the Iranian festival and celebration of the beginning of the Spring and New Year – has suggested naming the year 1397 (Iranian Calendar) as the “Year of Iranian Women”.

Every year, the selection of a name for the incoming year is enacted within the framework of preservation and guardianship of the tangible and intangible cultural and historical heritage of Iran.

The goal is to attract the attention of people to the unique values of Iranian culture that are based on reason and love – the very values that have greatly been neglected and experienced discrimination and enmity and are now openly exposed to degeneration and destruction.

This year, and upon the following considerations, PHF has named the year of 1397 as “The Year of Iranian Women”

– Iranian women are amongst those women of the world who continuously have guarded the cultural heritage of their homeland.

– For Years the Iranian women have preserved and transferred their national traditions, festivities, as well as their tangible and intangible heritage that are mostly declared forbidden by the current Iranian government to the next generation.

– Regardless of their personal religious beliefs, The Iranian women, whether Zoroastrian, Christian, Jew, Bahai, or Moslem, have played a major role in the transference of the non-religious and secular culture of Iran to the next generation.

– And during this past year, the Iranian women have introduced a rare tactic to obtain their freedom from oppression and compulsory dress-code (wearing hejab). The freedom (of a woman) to dress as she wishes has in fact been a part of ancient Iranian culture that was taken away by the invading Arabs and the imposition of their newly formed faith. The present movement of Iranian women to get back one of their human rights and to revive old Iranian traditions is of utmost significance. All through history, and whenever possible, Iranian women have struggled for their freedom to choose what to wear. They had enjoyed this freedom for 43 years (Between 1314 and 1357) and until the advent of the Islamic revolution. In this regard, their struggle could also be recognized as a cultural endeavor.

Along with naming of the year 1397, PHF would like to wish everyone a very joyous New Year and a happy great and beautiful Nowrooz.

Let us begin the New Iranian Year by appreciating the long and unstoppable struggle of the Iranian women for preserving their culture and gaining their freedom. Let us hope for a year full of happiness, peace and freedom for the people of Iran and the whole world.

Shokooh Mirzadegi

PHF Executive Director

www.savepasargad.com

Pasargad Foundation Awards “Personality of the Year 2018”

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The Pasargad Heritage Foundation Presents:

The Nowruz Award March 21, 2018.

This press release has been published by the Pasargad Heritage Foundation to the Personalities of the Year for their vision and efforts to preserve the national, cultural, historical, and natural heritage of Iran that also belongs to all humanity.

Mr. Hashem Razi, Iranologist, researcher, translator and author of ancient manuscripts, and 80 books is the recepient of the “Personality of the Year 2018”, in the field of “Cultural and Historical Heritage”, for:

– His endless efforts in preservation and dissemination of historical and cultural heritage of Iran;

– Publishing the long forgotten works of cultural personalities of Iran;

– Authoring a dictionary of Avesta-ic names for the first time in the whole world;

– Collecting and authoring of an encyclopedia of Ancient Iran, for the first time;

– Collecting and authoring a unique book on ancient Iranian festivities;

– And for his life-long endeavor and efforts to preserve and introduce the historical and cultural heritage of Iran.

Read the entire article on this page

Ms. Niloofar Beyzaie, a playwright, theater director, researcher and translator has been selected as the Personality of the Year 2018, in the field of “Art and Culture”, for:

– Her unwavering efforts in directing and writing subjects related to refugees and people living in exile.

– Her special attention to Iranian cultural issues and reflecting them in her plays.

– Her persistent focus on women’s rights and degradation of Iranian women’s position in today’s Iran compared to the ancient Persian culture.

– Her distinct and humanistic look at the Human Rights issues in Iran especially in her plays written in German.

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Mr. Assad Seif, an author and journalist is the recipient of “The Cultural Personality of the Year 2018”, for:

– His 20-year-long activities in the literary and artistic world of Iranian Diaspora and exiled community;

– His many publications that focus on variegated aspects of contemporary Iranian cultural and literary creations in exile;

– His focus on collecting and registering the artistic creations of Iranian exiled artists and writers, to be preserved for future.

 

 

The personality of the year 1396/2017 in the field of “Cultural and Historical Heritage”

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Dr. Youssef Madjidzadeh, an archaeologist, researcher, professor of archeology and art history at several Iranian universities, member of the scientific council of the Journal of archeology and history of “Markaze Nashre Daneshahi”, is selected as the personality of the year 1395, in the field of “Cultural and Historical Heritage”, for:
– His tireless and life-long efforts in preservation of historical and cultural heritage of Iran
– Teaching archeology and art history to many generations of Iranian students
– Directing the excavations in Qazvin Plain and Tepe Qabristan excavations,
– Directing the excavations at Prehistoric Site of Uzbaki in the County of Savojbolagh of Tehran Province.
– Directing the excavations at the Prehistoric Site of Konar sandal in the city of Jiroft in the Kerman province.
– And all of his invaluable research on Iranian history and culture.
Dr. Majidzadeh received his training in pre-historic Mesopotamian archeology from the Oriental Institute of Chicago University and directed research and extensive excavations in Qazvin, Tehran and especially in Kerman. His contribution to the history of Iran is unrivaled. The excavation in Jiroft under his supervision proved that Iran was one of the first cradles of civilization, with urban life and government circa 5000 BC, i.e., long before the pre- Achaemenid period. In addition to his influential role in shedding light to forgotten period of Iranian history, Dr. Majidzadeh’s is a popular figure due to his social life and demeanor. His students, his colleagues and the local people of areas where his excavations have taken place, all believe that he has a humble, esteemed and lovable character and personality.

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Biography of Dr. Youssef Madjidzadeh
Dr. Youssef Madjidzadeh was born in the year 1315 (1936)in Tabriz, and finished his undergraduate education in Tehran. In 1341(1962), he graduated with the degree of B.A. from Tehran University in the field of archeology as the top student. Upon receiving a scholarship he continued with his studies in the field of Near Eastern archeology specializing in prehistoric archeology of Mesopotamia and Iran in the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago in the United States starting in 1344 and graduated with the degree of Ph.D. in 1976 (1355). He started working at Tehran University as assistant professor in the Department of Archaeology and History of Art at the Faculty of Literature and Humanities in 1350 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1356 (1977). Dr. Madjudzadeh was later elected as the chairman of the Department of Archaeology and History of Art and the director of the Institute of Archaeology at Tehran University. He was also appointed a member of the Council of appointments and promotions of the Faculty of Tehran University during the earlier months of Islamic Revolution for 3 years before he retired in 1367 (1988).
Scientific activities outside the university:
Member of the Scientific Council of the Journal of archeology and history of Markaze Nashre Daneshahi since 1366
Archaeological excavations at Tepe Chogha Mish in the province of Khuzisgtan for three seasons.
Participation in the excavations of Qazvin Plain and the director of Tepe Qabristan for eight seasons.
General Director of the Excavations in Qazvin Plain and the director of the Tepe Qabristan excavations for two seasons.
Director of excavations at Prehistoric Site of Uzbaki in the County of Savojbolagh of Tehran Province from 1377 (1998) to 1381 (2002).
Director of excavations at the Prehistoric Site of Konar sandal in the city of Jiroft in the Kerman province from 1381 (2002) to 1387 (2008).

The list of international technical and scientific publications in English
1. “The Land of Aratta”, Journal of Near Eastern Studies35, No. 2 (1976).
2. “Correction of the Internal Cronology for the Sialk III Period on the Basis of the Pottery Sequence at Tepe Ghabristan”,Iran 16 (1978).
3. “The Development of Pottery Kiln in Iran from Prehistoric to HistoricalPoeriod”,Paleorient 3 (1955-77).
4. “An Early Prehistoric CoppersmithWorkshop at Tepe Ghabristan”,Aktendes VII Internationalen Kongress für Iranische Kunst und Archaologie, 1979.
5. “Sialk III and the Pottery Sequence at Tepe Ghabristan: The Coherence of the Cultures of the Central Plateau of Iran”,Iran19 (1981).
6. “Lapis Lazuli and the Great Khorasan Road”,Paleorient8/1 (1982).  
7. “An Early Industrial Proto-Urban Center On the Central Iranian Plateau:Tepe Ghabristan”, A. Leonard Jr. and B. B. Williams (eds.),Essays in Ancient Civilization Presented to Helene J. Kantor, The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago(Studies in Ancient Civilization, No. 47) ,Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1989.
 8. “The Arjan Bowl”,Iran30 (1992)
9. “The Oldest Narrative Pictorial Phrase on a Pottery Vessel from Tappeh Qabristan”, Iranian World, Essays on Iranian Art and Archaeology, Presented to Ezat O. Negahban, eds. A. Alizadeh, Y. Majidzadeh, S. Malek Shahmirzadi, Iran University Press, 1999.
10. “A Sumerian Statue from Khark Island on the Persian Gulf,” in N.F. Miller and K. Abdi, eds., Yeki bud, yeki nabud: Essays on the Archaeology of Iran in Honor of William M. Sumner, Los Angeles, 2003, pp. 152-55.
11. “Les fouilles d’Ozbaki (Iran). Campagnes 1998-2000,”  Paléorient  27/ 1, 2001, pp. 141-145.
12. “Au berceau de la cvilisation Oriéntale,” Archéologia 399, Avril 2003, pp. 36-45.
13. “Un litige à propos d’un achat du Louvre,” Archéologia 405, Novembre 2003, pp. 4-6.
14. “La première campagne de fouilles à Jiroft dans le bassin du Halil Roud (janvier et février 2003),” Jiroft fabuleuse découverte en Iran Dossiers d’Archéologie 287, octobre 2003,  pp. 64-75.
15. Jiroft, the Earliest Oriental Civilization. Cultural Heritage, Handicraft and Tourism Organization, Tehran 2003.
16. “La découverte de Jiroft,”  Jiroft fabuleuse découverte en Iran Dossiers d’Archéologie, n° 287, octobre 2003,  pp. 18-63.
17. “L’ ancêtre des ziggourats à Jiroft,” Archéologia 413, Juillet-Août 2004, pp. 14-25.
with Jean Perrot
18. “Découvertes récentes à Jiroft (sud du plateau iranien),”  Académie des Inscription et Belles-lettres, Comptes Rendus des séances de l’année 2003 (juillet octobre), Paris 2003.
19. “Récentes découvertes à Jiroft (Iran): résultats de la campagne de fouilles excavation 2004,” Académie des Inscription et Belles-lettres, Comptes Rendus des séances de l’année 2004 (juillet octobre), Paris 2004.
20. “L’iconographie des vases et objets en chlorite de Jiroft,” Paléorient 31/2, 2005, pp. 123-152.
21. “À travers l’ornementation des vases et objets en chlorite de Jiroft,” Paléorient 32/1, 2006, pp. 99-112.
The list of publications in English language published in the Journal of Archaeology of Tehran University
1. “The Excavations in Tepe Ghabristan, The First Two Seasons, 1970-71”,Marlik2 (1977).
2. “The Oldest Pictorial Phrase on the Pottery from Tepe Ghabristan”,Surveyand Excavation3(1979).
3. “A Sumerian Fragmentary Statue from Khark,” in Iranian Journal of Archaeology and History, vol. 11, nos. 1-2 (Autumn-Winter 1996 and Spring-Summer 1997, Nos. 21-22), August 1998, p. 2 (in English), pp. 14 (in Farsi), 23 figs.