The End of 1388
As this Iranian year comes to an end I have been wondering about all that has happened and what we have been through. For Iran in general and also for ourselves it was an event filled year, although not one we would wish to be repeated. This year has been one of the driest that I remember, yet we managed not to have any water shortage; and I pray that next year will be the same. As it is part of life, some of it is good and some of it not so good. As one always says "it is all about how you look at things and if you look there is always something good and positive about all that we experience even though we may fail to see it now." And I have tried with all my might to see the positive sides of all that I have experienced this year, even though at times it has not been easy.
As this Iranian year comes to an end I have been wondering about all that has happened and what we have been through. For Iran in general and also for ourselves it was an event filled year, although not one we would wish to be repeated. This year has been one of the driest that I remember, yet we managed not to have any water shortage; and I pray that next year will be the same. As it is part of life, some of it is good and some of it not so good. As one always says "it is all about how you look at things and if you look there is always something good and positive about all that we experience even though we may fail to see it now." And I have tried with all my might to see the positive sides of all that I have experienced this year, even though at times it has not been easy.
Charshanbeh Sorui Tradition Is Great Fun
In recent years we have missed the big Charshanbeh Sorui gatherings as we were mostly outside of Iran so we had to do with a small ceremony. Or if we were in Tehran, from fear of getting stuck in the traffic getting there and specially back home, we stayed at home and missed all the fun and joy of jumping over the fire and saying: "Your redness to me and my yellowness to you" (basically wishing for the glow and energy of the fire to come to the person who jumps over it and that for all the ills, badness and year long tiredness of the year to be taken from that person. - 03/17/10
In recent years we have missed the big Charshanbeh Sorui gatherings as we were mostly outside of Iran so we had to do with a small ceremony. Or if we were in Tehran, from fear of getting stuck in the traffic getting there and specially back home, we stayed at home and missed all the fun and joy of jumping over the fire and saying: "Your redness to me and my yellowness to you" (basically wishing for the glow and energy of the fire to come to the person who jumps over it and that for all the ills, badness and year long tiredness of the year to be taken from that person. - 03/17/10
A Rich November in Tehran
The cold wind keeps coming and playing with the Tehran citizens; as soon as we turned all the heating on and put on our woollies, we have had an outburst of a wonderful Indian summer which was short-lived but much appreciated as the air is clean and sky is bright and life, despite the notorious Tehran traffic, becomes a little more bearable; and we can even get a glimpse of my beloved Mount Damavand! - 12/6/09
The cold wind keeps coming and playing with the Tehran citizens; as soon as we turned all the heating on and put on our woollies, we have had an outburst of a wonderful Indian summer which was short-lived but much appreciated as the air is clean and sky is bright and life, despite the notorious Tehran traffic, becomes a little more bearable; and we can even get a glimpse of my beloved Mount Damavand! - 12/6/09
Happy Children at Mexican Embassy in Tehran
Some months ago Cultural section of the Mexican Embassy in Tehran sent out an invitation to many of Tehran schools inviting their students to take part in 13th Children's drawing Contest" launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, primarily aimed at Mexicans children abroad, but also open to children around the world. - 11/13/09
Some months ago Cultural section of the Mexican Embassy in Tehran sent out an invitation to many of Tehran schools inviting their students to take part in 13th Children's drawing Contest" launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, primarily aimed at Mexicans children abroad, but also open to children around the world. - 11/13/09
Dream the Impossible Dream
October has been a strange month like the rest of this year and we have been wondering, worrying about little big things or big little things and friends and the pain and worry that their loved ones endure and what kills me most is the fact that there is very little we can do, yet in my heart I am optimistic although I feel totally exhausted. - 11/2/09
October has been a strange month like the rest of this year and we have been wondering, worrying about little big things or big little things and friends and the pain and worry that their loved ones endure and what kills me most is the fact that there is very little we can do, yet in my heart I am optimistic although I feel totally exhausted. - 11/2/09
What a Difference A Day Makes!
What amazes me most these days is the speed of things. My mind can hardly catch up with one event before a new one unfolds and takes you into another world and at the same time there are a lot of physical things that we do, such as taking part in the peaceful and usually quiet marches around central Tehran. - Syma Sayyah - 6/21/09
What amazes me most these days is the speed of things. My mind can hardly catch up with one event before a new one unfolds and takes you into another world and at the same time there are a lot of physical things that we do, such as taking part in the peaceful and usually quiet marches around central Tehran. - Syma Sayyah - 6/21/09
Green Presence: Magical, Wonderful and truly extraordinary, yet it is real!
This week I have witnessed history in the making with my own eyes a few times. I have never felt more Iranian that I have done this week and I have not felt so close and united with my fellow citizens of this land of ours, and so proudly too. This is not a joke; we are not adventurers, we are normal citizens of this country exercising our rights and acting in silence our objections to the outcome of the recent election and calling for a new election. - 6/19/09
This week I have witnessed history in the making with my own eyes a few times. I have never felt more Iranian that I have done this week and I have not felt so close and united with my fellow citizens of this land of ours, and so proudly too. This is not a joke; we are not adventurers, we are normal citizens of this country exercising our rights and acting in silence our objections to the outcome of the recent election and calling for a new election. - 6/19/09
Photos: June 18 Election Protests in Tehran: The Faces
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in the streets of Tehran again on Thursday June 18 to protest the outcome of the June 12 Iran's presidential election. Following photos show some of the faces of the people who took part in this march across the capital city. - 6/19/09
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in the streets of Tehran again on Thursday June 18 to protest the outcome of the June 12 Iran's presidential election. Following photos show some of the faces of the people who took part in this march across the capital city. - 6/19/09
Photos: June 18 Election Protests in Tehran: Signs and Slogans
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in the streets of Tehran again to protest the outcome of the June 12 Iran's presidential election. Following are some of the signs people were carrying. - 6/19/09
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in the streets of Tehran again to protest the outcome of the June 12 Iran's presidential election. Following are some of the signs people were carrying. - 6/19/09
Photos: June 18 Election Protests in Tehran: People in the streets
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in the streets of Tehran again on Thursday June 18 to protest the outcome of the June 12 Iran's presidential election. Following photos shows the people in some of the streets of the capital city including Ferdowsi, Enghelab and Valie Asr. - 6/19/09
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in the streets of Tehran again on Thursday June 18 to protest the outcome of the June 12 Iran's presidential election. Following photos shows the people in some of the streets of the capital city including Ferdowsi, Enghelab and Valie Asr. - 6/19/09
Catching up with myself
We arrived in Oxford just in time to celebrate Chaharshanbe-Suri in our very little garden with our neighbors, we sat outside even though the weather was a little cold and managed to have a barbeque, everybody seemed to enjoy it and some of them even joined us in jumping over the bonfire and reciting my yellowness to you, your redness to me - 4/24/09
We arrived in Oxford just in time to celebrate Chaharshanbe-Suri in our very little garden with our neighbors, we sat outside even though the weather was a little cold and managed to have a barbeque, everybody seemed to enjoy it and some of them even joined us in jumping over the bonfire and reciting my yellowness to you, your redness to me - 4/24/09
Tehran's Fruit Market
Recently, on my way out to visit a location south of Tehran with my colleague Mr Astani, we visited the new Tehran fruit market. Although it is primarily a wholesale market, the public can buy there. I had not been to the market since my childhood when I used to go with my grandmother for serious food shopping - 4/29/09
Recently, on my way out to visit a location south of Tehran with my colleague Mr Astani, we visited the new Tehran fruit market. Although it is primarily a wholesale market, the public can buy there. I had not been to the market since my childhood when I used to go with my grandmother for serious food shopping - 4/29/09
Happy International Womens Day
Since I first thought like a woman many moons ago I have honored this day, which women have celebrated since 8th March 1909 in New York. The one thing I so deeply admired about them is the fact that they did not think of themselves as victims, despite all the odds, together they took some initiatives and took their lives in their own hands, and did they think themselves better than others. Here we also have to change men and women's attitudes and upbringing.
Since I first thought like a woman many moons ago I have honored this day, which women have celebrated since 8th March 1909 in New York. The one thing I so deeply admired about them is the fact that they did not think of themselves as victims, despite all the odds, together they took some initiatives and took their lives in their own hands, and did they think themselves better than others. Here we also have to change men and women's attitudes and upbringing.
My Granny's Aash-e Sholeh Qalamkar
Along with my sister Sohaila, I was brought up by my grandmother who was the head of her family, and in those days, once a year, the family would all come over to our house and stay over while we cooked aash-e sholeh qalamkar in a huge pot, which was large enough to comfortably hold a couple of the kids! - 3/2/09
Along with my sister Sohaila, I was brought up by my grandmother who was the head of her family, and in those days, once a year, the family would all come over to our house and stay over while we cooked aash-e sholeh qalamkar in a huge pot, which was large enough to comfortably hold a couple of the kids! - 3/2/09
In the New Year Please Stop this Madness
We started the New Year not only with much needed rain which made the famous Tehran traffic jams even more unbearable but, as civilized citizens of the world, as those who believe that all God's children are born equal, shocked and mortified that the killing of ordinary citizens in Gaza by the bombs of the Israeli government is still going on. - 1/1/09
We started the New Year not only with much needed rain which made the famous Tehran traffic jams even more unbearable but, as civilized citizens of the world, as those who believe that all God's children are born equal, shocked and mortified that the killing of ordinary citizens in Gaza by the bombs of the Israeli government is still going on. - 1/1/09
Mothers for Peace Demonstrate in Tehran Against the War in Gaza
Mothers for Peace in Iran are a group of women who came together to share their solidarity and belief in peace and harmony in the world and dialogue and understanding rather than violence and war. Today, Sunday, they demonstrated in front of the Palestinian embassy in Tehran. - 1/11/09
Mothers for Peace in Iran are a group of women who came together to share their solidarity and belief in peace and harmony in the world and dialogue and understanding rather than violence and war. Today, Sunday, they demonstrated in front of the Palestinian embassy in Tehran. - 1/11/09
Tehran is much cooler
Tehran is really getting cooler and I am writing to you from my desk where the central heating unit is on and I have my warm tops on. I could not believe that just a couple of weeks ago, we were wondering if it was time to close up the coolers for this year or not, and the next week we turned the heaters on and now I have put on my woollies and thick socks with such a drastic change in the weather. - 11/18/08
Tehran is really getting cooler and I am writing to you from my desk where the central heating unit is on and I have my warm tops on. I could not believe that just a couple of weeks ago, we were wondering if it was time to close up the coolers for this year or not, and the next week we turned the heaters on and now I have put on my woollies and thick socks with such a drastic change in the weather. - 11/18/08
Wonderful Persian Termeh Shopping
Last week I went with my friend Mary for a special shopping trip to the Tehran main bazaar. She was looking for a special kind of Persian material called termeh to make into a coat for a special occasion. Termeh is a valuable and beautiful decorative cloth, finely woven and comes in many different, usually bright and cheerful colors and patterns. - 10/30/08
Last week I went with my friend Mary for a special shopping trip to the Tehran main bazaar. She was looking for a special kind of Persian material called termeh to make into a coat for a special occasion. Termeh is a valuable and beautiful decorative cloth, finely woven and comes in many different, usually bright and cheerful colors and patterns. - 10/30/08
Mom's Ush
It was just over three years ago that my mother left us and among many things, I miss the sound of her laughter more than anything else. Yes, three years since my mom passed away and because she was such a diverse and varied lady, I decided that every year we would try to remember her, her memory and her life in different ways. -Syma Sayyah - 9/25/08
It was just over three years ago that my mother left us and among many things, I miss the sound of her laughter more than anything else. Yes, three years since my mom passed away and because she was such a diverse and varied lady, I decided that every year we would try to remember her, her memory and her life in different ways. -Syma Sayyah - 9/25/08
Summer is coming to an end
For the past few days we have been feeling sudden outbursts of autumn wind which make life more bearable although Tehran is still too hot. Summer has been quite hellish and I am sure my bones will be much happier when we switch the water coolers off as the weather becomes cooler but I think that we still have a few more weeks to go. - 9/16/08
For the past few days we have been feeling sudden outbursts of autumn wind which make life more bearable although Tehran is still too hot. Summer has been quite hellish and I am sure my bones will be much happier when we switch the water coolers off as the weather becomes cooler but I think that we still have a few more weeks to go. - 9/16/08
Tehran is Hot
This wish goes for the recent package presented to Iran by the group of 5+1 brought over by a high delegation headed by Mr. Solana. Many hope that it will somehow and eventually be accepted by Iran, given that Iran right to sovereignty is accepted and silly threats and sanctions are lifted. - 7/14/08
This wish goes for the recent package presented to Iran by the group of 5+1 brought over by a high delegation headed by Mr. Solana. Many hope that it will somehow and eventually be accepted by Iran, given that Iran right to sovereignty is accepted and silly threats and sanctions are lifted. - 7/14/08
100 delicious Italian recipes with 100 Iranian artists drawings
Once in a while one comes across people who truly enjoy what they do and knowingly or unknowingly set high standards to be lessons to others. One such lady is Mrs Felicetta Ferraro who as the cultural attache of the Italian embassy in Tehran has been doing this for the past 8 years. - 5/28/08
Once in a while one comes across people who truly enjoy what they do and knowingly or unknowingly set high standards to be lessons to others. One such lady is Mrs Felicetta Ferraro who as the cultural attache of the Italian embassy in Tehran has been doing this for the past 8 years. - 5/28/08
Teymour and Yeganeh
Recently when I was going back to the office I had often noted a gentleman sitting on an old stool reading very loudly in pretty good English. Today I plucked up courage and went and spoke with him. - 5/27/08
Recently when I was going back to the office I had often noted a gentleman sitting on an old stool reading very loudly in pretty good English. Today I plucked up courage and went and spoke with him. - 5/27/08
You never know what's going to happen next!
When I arrived, he said that he had pain in his chest and could not lie down. I called my doctor (and my guardian angel) Dr Shahnaz Atabak and explained the symptoms. Immediately she said that I must take him to an emergency unit, he most probably has had a heart attack. - 5/8/08
When I arrived, he said that he had pain in his chest and could not lie down. I called my doctor (and my guardian angel) Dr Shahnaz Atabak and explained the symptoms. Immediately she said that I must take him to an emergency unit, he most probably has had a heart attack. - 5/8/08
A walk with Emma on the east side of Tehran
I love Tehran and as the weather has become more tolerable I have been able to take some walks around town. Last week I took my friend Emma on a walk through the central east side of Tehran. We met near the central bank and started our walk from Berlin Street - so-called because it is next to the German embassy - where they sell all sorts of fashion and clothing items. - 4/10/08
I love Tehran and as the weather has become more tolerable I have been able to take some walks around town. Last week I took my friend Emma on a walk through the central east side of Tehran. We met near the central bank and started our walk from Berlin Street - so-called because it is next to the German embassy - where they sell all sorts of fashion and clothing items. - 4/10/08
End of the Year Thoughts
The year that is just coming to its close was a year when for the first time in my life people talked about the weather in Iran as much as they did in England. All this talk was because we had one of the worst winters ever. Cold and snow seemed not to want to leave... - 3/21/08
The year that is just coming to its close was a year when for the first time in my life people talked about the weather in Iran as much as they did in England. All this talk was because we had one of the worst winters ever. Cold and snow seemed not to want to leave... - 3/21/08
8th March belongs to all women everywhere: Happy International Women's Day
I come from a very mixed and rather unusual background. Women in our family have been even more different than those around them. I have seven sisters and six brothers from two fathers and five mothers.
My grandmother was married to Mr Ishmael Sayyah, the brother of Ms Fatemeh Sayyah the well known scholar, one of the first women in Iran ever to be educated and the first to teach at university. - 3/07/08
I come from a very mixed and rather unusual background. Women in our family have been even more different than those around them. I have seven sisters and six brothers from two fathers and five mothers.
My grandmother was married to Mr Ishmael Sayyah, the brother of Ms Fatemeh Sayyah the well known scholar, one of the first women in Iran ever to be educated and the first to teach at university. - 3/07/08
Dr S.J. Shahidi's 40th at Dehkhoda in Tehran
I could hardly believe that it has already been 35 days since Dr Shahidi's passing when Shokoufeh Shahidi my friend called to invite me to his 40th ceremony at Dehkhoda, last Thursday from 3-5. Time has passed so quickly despite the cold. - 2/27/08
I could hardly believe that it has already been 35 days since Dr Shahidi's passing when Shokoufeh Shahidi my friend called to invite me to his 40th ceremony at Dehkhoda, last Thursday from 3-5. Time has passed so quickly despite the cold. - 2/27/08
Ahmadinejad: The Secret History of Iran's Radical Leader by Kasra Naji
Many of you may not know that a new book by Kasra Naji has been published. Kasra, an old friend of ours, has worked as a journalist for major news media such as The Guardian, LA Times, The Economist, BBC, The Financial Times, CNN, ABC and many others about the Middle East and Asia. - 2/11/08
Many of you may not know that a new book by Kasra Naji has been published. Kasra, an old friend of ours, has worked as a journalist for major news media such as The Guardian, LA Times, The Economist, BBC, The Financial Times, CNN, ABC and many others about the Middle East and Asia. - 2/11/08
Great Cold and Great Shame
But what has made me absolutely mad despite the roof and snow and traffic was the terrible news that Zanan (Women) Magazine has been closed down. I am not one of their regular readers but I know that it is one the best things in Iran, and as a citizen I am proud that we have such a good magazine. - 2/1/08
But what has made me absolutely mad despite the roof and snow and traffic was the terrible news that Zanan (Women) Magazine has been closed down. I am not one of their regular readers but I know that it is one the best things in Iran, and as a citizen I am proud that we have such a good magazine. - 2/1/08
Tehran covered in snow
We all have played with snow when we were kids and had a lot of fun. However as we grow up life takes away many of its simple pleasures and these days when it snows my immediate thoughts are - Will the pipes burst? Will the gas be cut off? Will we have a power cut or how long will it be before the side streets and alleys are so iced up that anyone walking on them has a more than average chance of breaking something? - 1/28/08
We all have played with snow when we were kids and had a lot of fun. However as we grow up life takes away many of its simple pleasures and these days when it snows my immediate thoughts are - Will the pipes burst? Will the gas be cut off? Will we have a power cut or how long will it be before the side streets and alleys are so iced up that anyone walking on them has a more than average chance of breaking something? - 1/28/08
Bayan Salis: An international bookshop in Tehran
Valiasr Avenue is the longest thoroughfare in Tehran and runs from Tajrish in the North to the main railway station in the south. In this most amazing and diverse avenue, once in a while you come across a small place that is a sparkling gem that can brighten your life and bring joy to your heart and a smile to your lips. - 12/21/07
Valiasr Avenue is the longest thoroughfare in Tehran and runs from Tajrish in the North to the main railway station in the south. In this most amazing and diverse avenue, once in a while you come across a small place that is a sparkling gem that can brighten your life and bring joy to your heart and a smile to your lips. - 12/21/07
A walk in downtown Tehran
From there we started to walk up Valiasr Avenue to where it crossed Enghelab Avenue, where I wanted to show my friend the City Theater building (taatre-shahr). The fact that it was the middle of Ramadan did not affect us in the least. - Syma Sayyah - 9/29/07
From there we started to walk up Valiasr Avenue to where it crossed Enghelab Avenue, where I wanted to show my friend the City Theater building (taatre-shahr). The fact that it was the middle of Ramadan did not affect us in the least. - Syma Sayyah - 9/29/07
An Interesting hour in Qazvin
Qazvin, which is about 90km to the west of Tehran has been quite famous in the past. It was chosen as the capital during the Safavid era and it was also an important and significant city during the time of the Ghajars. Qazvin is a city of about a million inhabitants and it seemed that everyone was out when we were driving around - 9/13/07
Qazvin, which is about 90km to the west of Tehran has been quite famous in the past. It was chosen as the capital during the Safavid era and it was also an important and significant city during the time of the Ghajars. Qazvin is a city of about a million inhabitants and it seemed that everyone was out when we were driving around - 9/13/07
A Tehran Summer
Many of you may have noticed that I have been rather quiet and have not been writing much for a couple of months. I went back to work last February and since then I have been devastatingly busy with different projects especially these past few months. The most unusual weather this summer has been more than a surprise. - 9/7/07
Many of you may have noticed that I have been rather quiet and have not been writing much for a couple of months. I went back to work last February and since then I have been devastatingly busy with different projects especially these past few months. The most unusual weather this summer has been more than a surprise. - 9/7/07
The Osnabrueck Symphony Orchestra in Tehran
For the first time in years a foreign orchestra played in Tehran this week and they received a rapturous welcome. After a visit to Germany last year by the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, the Osnabrueck Symphony Orchestra played a concert in the Vahdat hall. Although it was not well publicized, we were lucky to get some good seats.
For the first time in years a foreign orchestra played in Tehran this week and they received a rapturous welcome. After a visit to Germany last year by the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, the Osnabrueck Symphony Orchestra played a concert in the Vahdat hall. Although it was not well publicized, we were lucky to get some good seats.
Press TV
Recently I was invited to attend the launch of PRESS-TV, the new English language TV channel in at the NIRT main ceremony hall in Tehran. PRESS TV is a TV channel that reaches its targeted audience inside and outside Iran through satellite. I learned that it is now accessible through all the main satellite channels. - 7/19/07
Recently I was invited to attend the launch of PRESS-TV, the new English language TV channel in at the NIRT main ceremony hall in Tehran. PRESS TV is a TV channel that reaches its targeted audience inside and outside Iran through satellite. I learned that it is now accessible through all the main satellite channels. - 7/19/07
