Ohio University students from Iran may be across the globe from their home country, but they are still able to participate in their cultural traditions here in Athens.
The Iranian Student Society hosted the annual Yalda Night celebration in the Baker Ballroom on Saturday. The event received a large turnout from Iranian students and students of other nationalities alike.
Yalda Night is a traditional Iranian holiday held on the longest night of the year. The celebration includes music, dancing and dining.
Hashim Pashtun, a graduate student studying civil engineering, is the president of the International Student Union, which oversees the Iranian Student Society and various other multicultural organizations.
“The Iranian Student Society is one of the most active organizations that we have in the International Student Union,” Pashtun said. “My personal vision for all of the member organizations is to see as many new faces, or domestic students, or Americans, taking part in being in the audiences at these events, because we are presenting our culture to ... American students.”
The evening began with a tongue-in-cheek short film called "Do Not Go to Iran." Subtitles such as “Iran is just a big desert” and “Iran is not safe” were followed by footage of the country displaying beautiful scenery and children happily playing in public parks.
Three bands performed throughout the night, playing different forms of cultural music. Two played traditional Iranian music, while another played contemporary music currently popular in the country.
In addition to music, traditional Iranian dances were performed for the audience. One of which was a solo performance called the Azeri dance, while another was a group dance called the Kurdish dance. Another performer recited poetry from the Iranian poet Hafiz.
Several non-Iranian guests were invited to the stage to participate in a tradition in which they slice open pomegranates with different household items, such as hammers and screwdrivers. At the conclusion of the event, guests ate traditional Iranian cuisine and had an open dance.
Ehsan Ahmadi, a graduate student studying programming and industrial engineering, was reminded of his home country at the celebration.
“I’m Iranian, and I was far away from my country,” he said. “I love it because there were very great performances, very delicious food (and a) very organized community.”
Pashtun believes the event gave American students a better insight of Iranian culture.
“I think, from past years that I’ve been on campus, I have seen the impact of these kind of events on domestic students and American students, how they stay connected,” he said. “Audiences who you see today, the Americans, probably you will see them again.”
