Farhang.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday March 8, 2023

 

Announcing Farhang Foundation's 2023 Nowruz Banner Design In Support Of Woman Life Freedom

The 2023 Farhang Nowruz Street Banners designed by artist Rashin Kheiriyeh

Farhang Foundation announces this year's Nowruz Banner Design as part of its annual awareness campaign for Nowruz 2023

 

LOS ANGELES – Farhang Foundation proudly announces the 2023 annual Nowruz street pole banner design for this year's Nowruz, The Iranian New Year awareness campaign in Southern California.

The Farhang Foundation's annual Nowruz Street Banner campaign is now in its fourteenth year, and each year Farhang reaches out to artists worldwide for original designs that exemplify Nowruz, the Iranian new year. This year the traditional campaign required an even higher emphasis on its message. After the struggles and triumphs of the current WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM movement of Iran, and Farhang Foundation's public campaign in the fall/winter of 2022 supporting the movement, Farhang continues on this path by not only welcoming Nowruz this March but also incorporating the Freedom movement's important messaging into the campaign.

"This year, Farhang Foundation had to make the tough decision to cancel our annual Celebration of Nowruz at UCLA, in respect for the people of Iran," said Alireza Ardekani, Executive Director of Farhang Foundation. "Although our celebration of Nowruz will not be taking place this year, we strongly believe that Nowruz is one of the most important annual Iranian traditions going back thousands of years, and regardless of any events and celebrations, we feel that welcoming Nowruz to Southern California and sharing this rich and beautiful tradition with millions of people is of utmost importance. We are so proud of this year's powerful and stunning design, and it gives us great joy to see these beautiful banners flying proudly throughout Southern California."

This year's winning design was awarded to artist Rashin Kheiriyeh. Rashin, based in Washington D.C., has made Farhang history by becoming the first artist ever whose designs have been selected for two separate Nowruz campaigns, the first being in 2017. This year's design is based on Rashin's winning public mural, which Farhang Foundation had the privilege of installing on Pico Blvd in Santa Monica in 2021.

"I created my design with a woman's silhouetted head in profile and a bird sitting on her nose as a symbol of hope and freedom for Iranian women. After Mahsa Amini's death, I added the slogan WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM in Persian calligraphy designed into the figure's hair and dedicated the design to Mahsa's revolution," said Rashin Kheiriyeh. "I am especially proud to have Farhang Foundation once again select my design for this year's Nowruz campaign, and I am grateful that my design and message may have a small hand in amplifying the voice of Iranians throughout Southern California."

Nowruz banners on Wilshire Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard and Westwood Boulevard in Los Angeles

This year's winning design is currently on view on more street poles than ever before in the 14-year history of the campaign. It is proudly displayed throughout southern California, including in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, the Valley, and Costa Mesa.

The WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM Nowruz Banners will be on display through March 31, 2023.

 

ABOUT FARHANG FOUNDATION

Farhang Foundation is a member-supported nonreligious, nonpolitical and nonprofit foundation established in 2008 to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community-at-large. The foundation supports a broad range of academic and cultural activities by funding university programs, diverse cultural programs such as the celebrations of Nowruz, and Shab-e Yalda as well as musical performances, film screenings and festivals.

 

For media inquiries contact:
Tannaz Guivi | press@farhang.org / 310-666-1546