BY DEVIKA C.MEHTA
LOS ANGELES, CA - Zoroastrians of the Indian subcontinent, also known as Parsis, came together on July 4 with Farhang Foundation to unveil a new public art installation in Santa Monica - the Freedom Sculpture - which many hope will be a beacon for the world. The step was taken by Farhang Foundation to celebrate the diversity of...
LOS ANGELES, CA - Zoroastrians of the Indian subcontinent, also known as Parsis, came together on July 4 with Farhang Foundation to unveil a new public art installation in Santa Monica - the Freedom Sculpture - which many hope will be a beacon for the world. The step was taken by Farhang Foundation to celebrate the diversity of...
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America and got immense support from the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America and Zoroastrian Association of California.The historical monument, Cyrus’ Cylinder, very similar to the Statue of Liberty on the east coast, was unveiled in Santa Monica on American Independence Day amidst the presence of a strong crowd of about 75,000 people including FEZANA president Homi Gandhi and ZAC President Tehmi Damania. Others who were also present were Ervad Zarrir Bhandara ,a Parsi priest , Maneck Damania, Farhad Choksy, and Zerkxis Bhandara.
On the occasion, an elated Gandhi spoke at length with IJ and discussed the involvement of Zoroastrians in the unveiling.
Gandhi said, ”The Los Angeles visit of the exhibition of Cyrus Cylinder and other artifacts ,one depicting a praying Zoroastrian priest, was supported by Farhang Foundation and FEZANA had participated in promoting this visit. One of our Zoroastrian member from Los Angeles has been an active senior member of the Farhang Foundation and we have worked together on many programs, festivities of Iranian arts, culture, highlighted and promoted by the Farhang Foundation.”
Gandhi went on to say that Zoroastrians wanted to celebrate the unveiling of this great monument to humanity in Los Angeles. They had promoted Farhang Foundation’s crowdfunding efforts and publicized this event.
Adding, he also described FEZANA’s involvement with the US visit of the original Cyrus Cylinder in 2013. “We had partnered with the Iran Heritage Foundation in promoting the touring exhibition and hosting lectures, seminars, at all five locations. FEZANA published a special edition of its quarterly FEZANA Journal to mark the tour of the Cylinder of Cyrus from ancient Iran which upholds the idea of religious freedom and human rights.”Elaborating about his organization, Gandhi mentioned that FEZANA comprises of 26 member associations and 14 small corresponding groups spread over the major cities of North America.
On the symbolic presence and current disparaging situations in the country, Gandhi stated, “The message on this artifact from antiquity resonates with relevance today in the many multicultural world cities with diverse ethnicities and identities, which are a microcosm of the Achaemenian empire. We have much to learn from Persian history to promote a peaceful, progressive harmonious world. The Achaemenian Empire, rooted in Zoroastrian faith and culture, was reported to be the largest empire covering 45% of the world population at that time.” Interestingly, the sculpture has been designed by architect and artist Cecil Belmond, who has tried to capture the contemporary interpretation of the 2500-year old Cyrus Cylinder, an ancient Persian artifact widely considered to be the first declaration of Human Rights. It is worth mentioning that the site has been created with about $2.5 million donations from the crowdfunding campaign and has been supported by luminaries such as Elon Musk and Lynda Resnick.
On the occasion, an elated Gandhi spoke at length with IJ and discussed the involvement of Zoroastrians in the unveiling.
Gandhi said, ”The Los Angeles visit of the exhibition of Cyrus Cylinder and other artifacts ,one depicting a praying Zoroastrian priest, was supported by Farhang Foundation and FEZANA had participated in promoting this visit. One of our Zoroastrian member from Los Angeles has been an active senior member of the Farhang Foundation and we have worked together on many programs, festivities of Iranian arts, culture, highlighted and promoted by the Farhang Foundation.”
Gandhi went on to say that Zoroastrians wanted to celebrate the unveiling of this great monument to humanity in Los Angeles. They had promoted Farhang Foundation’s crowdfunding efforts and publicized this event.
Adding, he also described FEZANA’s involvement with the US visit of the original Cyrus Cylinder in 2013. “We had partnered with the Iran Heritage Foundation in promoting the touring exhibition and hosting lectures, seminars, at all five locations. FEZANA published a special edition of its quarterly FEZANA Journal to mark the tour of the Cylinder of Cyrus from ancient Iran which upholds the idea of religious freedom and human rights.”Elaborating about his organization, Gandhi mentioned that FEZANA comprises of 26 member associations and 14 small corresponding groups spread over the major cities of North America.
On the symbolic presence and current disparaging situations in the country, Gandhi stated, “The message on this artifact from antiquity resonates with relevance today in the many multicultural world cities with diverse ethnicities and identities, which are a microcosm of the Achaemenian empire. We have much to learn from Persian history to promote a peaceful, progressive harmonious world. The Achaemenian Empire, rooted in Zoroastrian faith and culture, was reported to be the largest empire covering 45% of the world population at that time.” Interestingly, the sculpture has been designed by architect and artist Cecil Belmond, who has tried to capture the contemporary interpretation of the 2500-year old Cyrus Cylinder, an ancient Persian artifact widely considered to be the first declaration of Human Rights. It is worth mentioning that the site has been created with about $2.5 million donations from the crowdfunding campaign and has been supported by luminaries such as Elon Musk and Lynda Resnick.
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