Doostan Salam,

Here is a reminder for the Weekly Persian Poetry Hangout (Version 0.1)

Enrich the event with your stellar presence.

Specifics are below.

Best,

Reza.

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Weekly Persian Poetry Hangout (Version 0.1)

When

Tuesday June 3, 2008
 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm Arrivals and warm up / social.

 6:30 Start

 Please email if coming later than 7:00. In the very rare case that no one else shows up by 7:00, and there are no RSVPs
 indicating a later arrival, the event may end.

Content / Format

Any Persian poetry from anyone, that people want to bring and share. Roughly half the session.

A work from a classical Persian poet. Currently this is Shahnameh by Ferdowsi. It could be another poet later. Other half of the session.

For the this session, (June 3) we will look at the destiny and the very end of Zahhak and begin the story of Freydoon.
       
Here are the links for the text. One can print and bring the pages for one's use. If you have the Shahnameh book, that works too Zahhak 16   Freydoon 1   Freydoon 2 .

Where

Palo Alto Cafe

2675 Middlefield Rd # A,

Palo Alto, CA

(650) [masked]

Map and Directions

This venue is chosen because of its location, space, relative quietness, accessible Wi-Fi, and friendly Iranian owners. I have no affiliation with this establishment.
Support them by ordering what you like (note: they only take cash).

Quick Summary of the Previous Session

        Many great, random points were brought up by everyone, here's a small sample.
        Content depends largely on the participants.

1. Zahhaks emerge throughout history because of ignorance, which can be reduced through knowledge, kherad, and learning from great minds and daanaayan.

2. The Shahnameh is useful in today's everyday life. It is highly energizing. It provides a rich variety of time-tested cases and behavioral models for many of life's specific situations. A person/group/society may draw on these for happy and blossoming outcomes in various situations. Some specific models in the story of Zahhak were discussed.

3. Mehr and Mitraism, their interplay and contrast in the story.
   

4. There is also an erfaani way of reading the story of Zahhak and the Shahnameh.
   

5. More discussion about zan-khodaee and mard-khodaee in the story of Zahhak, clues for spotting these trends today, and the responses to them according
   to the Shahnameh. To be continued.

6. Logical, verbal, emotional, knowledge-based, and visual methods of interacting with the world. The visual world-view through symbols in the Shahnameh.
   

7. Farhang = Far + ahang  =  moving forward.

8. The story's suggestions for facing and hindrances and obstacles.

9. Does even Zahhak have any rights?  The sacredness of any and all life.

10. Discussion of Khayyam, Ghazzali, others. Many fun, insightful one-liner verses, nokteh, and jokes were shared.

11. This was a fun session. Honors to all, especially those who came from afar.  This session was dedicated to Behzad and Ali, who braved the roads and brought their
    gracious presence all the way from Marin to Palo Alto to this meeting and participated energetically.
    

How to Find Each Other

Look for each other in the cafe. If you are new, look for the table with this object on it:

 

Cup from the Hekhamaneshi period.

What not to Expect

• This event won't be a class, a lecture, a recital, or a performance. Everyone helps create the event together.
• Not a forum for political / religious heated debates.
• This is a free event, so no admissions charge.

Who

Whoever got this email from me or someone I know, is welcome to show up. Guests are ok too.

For guests, all nationalities, genders, ethnicities, ages, and all levels of familiarity with Persian poetry (even zero or hyper knowledgeable) are welcome. 

P.S. Some of you are getting this info cuz we have met and you shared an interest in the topic.