Small, but mighty!
With that remark and fanfare, we concluded the 18th NAZC in Houston.
There was plenty of entertainment and food. Old friends reunited, and new friendships were formed. Beautiful people wore magnificent clothing. Many were dressed to the tee. Gentle and compassionate reminders of why we are a beloved community.
The three things that stood out to me in the various speeches presented were:
The heart warming story of a man who paid his Fezana loan so that he may help someone else in need.
Mr. Rivetna collecting his lifetime achievement award alongside his wife. In doing so, not only did he show all of us what true partnership entails, but also set an example for many young people in the audience.
Mr. Boman Irani, the keynote speaker, captivating the crowd for more than an hour with his speech. It highlighted our society’s many shortcomings as well as the excellent values we maintain. He is definitely a marvelous entertainer with a wicked sense of humor and wit. Not to forget an amazing singer!
It felt encouraging to note that 42% of the audience was under the age of forty. The teenagers volunteered to run the panels. They ran well. The two events I was able to attend were extremely interesting. The first topic was on inclusiveness, which emphasised the importance of sharing language, food, and culture to reunite with our ancestral brethren. The conversations focused on ideas for branding Zoroastrianism in North America, the majority of which I hope to see implemented in the coming days. The branding should focus on art, gastronomy, literature, and music, as well as architecture, education, and health. Why encouraging Zarthostis to join local councils is important if we want to make progress in including ourselves and our heritage in North American policy. This may also serve as an inroad to achieving any future rights that we may think necessary as a community, as well as a means of being heard if and when needed.
The Atash Kadeh in Houston is beautiful and the attention to detail is remarkable. It depicts the simplicity of our heritage, and yet it has the grandeur and magnificence it well deserves. The bare walls and bright light that flows through the glass panels are clever, while the beautifully crafted wooden panels that can enclose the rooms are practical. The beautiful artwork depicting Persipolis is rightly inclusive of our past glory. The water feature that depicts the kuvo, or the well, is ingenious, making a point of propelling us into the future with ease. Set in a rose garden, at the very entrance you can see the beautifully engraved glass with the Persian golab (rose) that depicts our history. Everything about it is just wonderful, and it was bursting with positive energy on January 1, 2025, as we all got a chance to walk through and embrace this fine institution.
It was a happy and unforgettable occasion for everyone. Congratulations on the committee’s hard work in putting together this congress.
