Q & A

* Irvine Iranian Celebration Organizer Fardad Fateri on Unifying a Community

For the eighth year, Irvine resident Fardad Fateri is overseeing the Iranian New Year celebration at Irvine’s William R. Mason Regional Park from 7 a.m. to dusk Sunday.(CQ 3/30) Fateri, dean of student affairs for the DeVry Institute of Technology, brought to the regional park in 1989 several small groups that had been gathering separately across Orange County. The event drew 35,000 participants in 1995, making it one of the world’s largest gatherings of people of Iranian descent outside of Iran. Fateri spoke with Times correspondent Russ Loar.

Q: Why did you feel a need for one large event?

A: People of Iranian descent used to go to parks close to their homes, but our neighbors did not understand the history of the event or the purpose of it. We wanted somehow to project a positive image of this event and put it into a cultural context. At the same time, we wanted to bring the different ethnic communities closer together.

Q: What is the significance of the yearly event for Iranian Americans?

A: The cultural event dates back 3,000 years, before any of our recent international political groups existed. Our new year is usually on the first day of spring, on March 20. We have a 13-day celebration. On the 13th day, we’re supposed to have an outing because it’s considered bad luck to stay home. We picked the Sunday closest to the 13th day. People of Iranian descent, regardless of their religious or political affiliation, celebrate.

Q: Is the celebration restricted to people of Iranian descent?

A: No. We encourage all of our friends and neighbors and colleagues to come and share this day with us. The more we learn about one another, the better chance we will have of advancing this society together.

Q: What will people find at the celebration?

A: There will be booths with different restaurants selling Iranian food, desserts and pastry, and different types of businesses will be there marketing their goods and products. Families will be all over the park, picnicking, barbecuing, dancing, playing games and playing instruments. Historically, young men and women are supposed to meet on this day and start a courtship that would end in a marriage, so I know a lot of that is going on as well.

Q: How have Irvine residents responded to the annual celebration?

A: When we first started a few years ago, some people were worried that some terrorist action may take place simply because of the image people have about Iranians in general. But we have never had any trouble. There is no drinking going on; there is no violence. This is a peaceful family event. We have a culture that’s 3,000 years old, and we want to share it.