# Tirgan Festival

The Tirgan Festival (Persian: جشنواره تیرگان) is a biennial four-day celebration of Iranian arts and culture held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Festival celebrates Iranian arts and culture through an array of artistic and literary disciplines including music, dance, cinema, theatre, history, literature and visual arts. The festivals are held in multiple locations in Toronto, such as the Harbourfront Centre, the Distillery District, and St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. Tirgan Festival 2019 accommodated over 250 artists, 140 performances, and professional speakers.

## History

Originally showcased under the name, Under the Azure Dome, Tirgan 2006 celebrated Nowruz (the Persian New Year) as well as Iranian arts and culture on a mass scale. The festival was held between March 17 and March 19, 2006 at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre and featured over one hundred performers in dance, music, theatre, cinema, and visual arts. It drew 25,000 visitors from all over the world. In 2008, Tirgan featured artists including Ostad Mohammad Reza Lotfi, Saeed Shanbehzadeh, and Shahrokh Moshkin-Ghalam. Tirgan 2008 attracted over 60,000 visitors to more than 50 performances. With more than 70 performances by over 150 artists from around the globe, organized by over 300 volunteers, Tirgan 2011 attracted 120,000 visitors to become the world's largest Iranian festival.

## The Legend of Tirgan

Tirgan refers to an ancient Iranian festival. There are various legends concerning its origins. One legend describes how Iran and Turan, two long-standing enemies, decided to declare peace by drawing the boundaries between the two empires. Arash, the best archer in the Iranian army, was chosen to ascend Mount Damavand to shoot an arrow, with the landing location determining the boundary. Iranians watched in hope as the arrow flew from dawn until noon, expanding the boundaries of Iran beyond all expectations. What resulted was the inclusion of many diverse cultures throughout the territory of Iran. Tirgan became a celebration of that diversity.

## Highlights

Tirgan Festival promotes Iranian arts and culture.

## Organization

The Tirgan Festival is organized by the Iranian-Canadian Centre for Art and Culture, a non-profit, non-partisan, and non-religious organization, registered under the Ontario Corporation Act.

### Funding & Support

Tirgan relies primarily on donations from the community, grants from the federal, provincial, and municipal tiers of the Canadian Government, and corporate sponsorships.

## Under the Azure Dome 2006

“Under the Azure Dome” celebrated Nowruz.

## Tirgan 2008: ‘Exploring Diversity’

The second Tirgan Festival was held July 17 to 20, 2008. The theme of the festival was “Exploring Diversity” and it included more than 100 artists in 40 performances.

## Tirgan 2011: 'Visions of Eternity'

Tirgan's third biennial festival took place from Thursday July 21, 2011 to Sunday July 24, 2011. With a theme of "Visions of Eternity", the festival attracted more than 70 performances by over 150 artists.
The 2011 festival highlights included performances by Nima Kiann's Les Ballets Persans, the folk musical group Shanbehzadeh Ensemble, contemporary dance by Ida Saki, Iranian rock bands King Raam and Radio Tehran.

## Tirgan 2013: 'Hope'

From July 18 to 21, 2013, Tirgan held its fourth festival in Toronto. Tirgan 2013 brought together artists from around the globe. The festival featured more than 70 performances in traditional, contemporary, and transitional arts.
The programs are divided into six sections: Dance, Cinema, Literature, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts. Designed to include a variety of forms and styles these programs incorporate a blend of workshops, panel discussions, lectures, tours, interactive installations and exhibitions to engage, educate and entertain. Some highlights of the 2013 festival included: Vancouver Pars National Ballet, screening of film by Shirin Neshat, live musical performance by UK based Ajam (band), classical and folk music ensemble Sarv, and The Third Space visual arts exhibition curated by Sanaz Mazinani.

## Tirgan 2015: ‘Homeland’

Tirgan Festival returned to Toronto's Harbourfront Centre from August 20 to 23, 2015, bringing together over 200 artists from around the globe.

## Tirgan 2017: ‘Benevolence’

Tirgan 2017 was held at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre from Thursday July 27 to Sunday July 30, 2017, with the theme of “Benevolence”. The festival included over 200 performances and was attended by over 150,000 visitors.