Farhang Cancels 2026 Nowruz Festival at UCLA
FARHANG FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES THE CANCELLATION OF PLANNED 2026 NOWRUZ EVENT AT UCLA BUT ADDS SPECIAL CONCERTS HONORING THE ENDURING VOICES OF IRANIANS
LOS ANGELES, CA — January 30, 2026 — Farhang Foundation announces that the previously planned 16th Annual Celebration of Nowruz at UCLA’s Dickson Court, scheduled for Sunday, March 8, has been cancelled. This deeply difficult decision comes in light of the ongoing and horrific loss of innocent lives in Iran.
“As we collectively mourn and stand in solidarity with the people of Iran, there is no culturally appropriate way to hold an in-person gathering and celebration of this scale or nature,” said Alireza Ardekani, CEO of Farhang Foundation.
“Farhang Foundation knows that our role as community organizers and promoters of Iranian cultural traditions has never been more important. Our farhang or culture is what unites us together as Iranians; it is what makes us strong as individuals; and it is the gift of values we share with the communities we live in. It is our culture that has allowed Iranians to transcend all challenges to our identity for thousands of years. So, today more than ever, Farhang Foundation's mission to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture resounds with renewed urgency, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to amplifying the beauty, depth, and resilience of Iranian culture and artistic expression.”
As such, the foundation believes that Nowruz, the biggest Iranian cultural celebration, must be acknowledged. Nowruz has always united millions of people across generations, geographies, faiths, and backgrounds serving as a shared cultural and spiritual anchor rooted in renewal, continuity, and collective belonging. In times of profound hardship, honoring our ancient traditions is more important than ever before, a way to remain connected to one another and to our shared humanity.
2026 Nowruz Street Banners Honoring Iranians
In this spirit, and instead of previously planned Nowruz festivities, Farhang Foundation will present two solemn concert events as spaces for the community to come together, reflect, and find strength, unity and harmony through music.
LIGHT ALWAYS PREVAILS: A NOWRUZ CONCERT TO HONOR THE ENDURING VOICES OF IRANIANS
Sunday, March 8
Royce Hall, UCLA
Tickets
Farhang Foundation is honored to present Light Always Prevails, a Nowruz Concert to honor the enduring voices of Iranians, a powerful performance bringing together two extraordinary female vocalists from different generations on one historic stage.
This year, we are immensely proud to welcome back the grande dame of Iranian classical music, Maestra Parissa, for a very rare and deeply moving performance. Maestra Parissa, whose illustrious career in Iran was halted after the 1979 revolution, last graced Farhang Foundation’s Nowruz stage in 2019, marking her final public appearance. During this pivotal moment in Iran’s history, we are profoundly honored that she will join us once again in a rare public performance to offer her powerful and timeless voice, one that promises solace and reflection as we mourn together.
The evening will also feature world-renowned soprano Golda Zahra, who will make her Persian-language stage debut at this concert. The presence of two world-class female vocalists, representing different generations yet united in artistic excellence and purpose, will be a rare and unforgettable highlight.
Both artists will perform alongside the Iranshahr Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Shahab Paranj, leading a 40-piece ensemble dedicated to the performance and advancement of Iranian symphonic music. Known for its commitment to commissioning, preserving, and presenting works by Iranian composers, the Iranshahr Orchestra brings together an exceptional group of world-class musicians to explore the richness and diversity of Iran’s musical heritage through a contemporary orchestral lens. The program will feature works composed exclusively by Iranian composers, reflecting a wide spectrum of musical voices, generations, and stylistic approaches.
This concert is presented in collaboration with the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and the Gramian–Emrani Center of Iranian Music at UCLA, home to Farhang Foundation’s historic Iranian Music Degree Program, which continues to play a vital role in fostering scholarship, performance, and innovation in Iranian music within an academic setting.
ECHOES OF FREEDOM: A NOWRUZ CONCERT
Saturday, April 4
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa
Tickets
Farhang Foundation is also proud to announce the continuation of its long-standing partnership with the prestigious Pacific Symphony of Orange County.
This year’s Echoes of Freedom concert will once again honor the enduring voices of Iranians through an extraordinary musical experience. The program will feature special guest headliners including legendary guitarist and composer Babak Amini, Iranian soprano Sara Hamidi making her U.S. stage debut, and internationally acclaimed Iranian countertenor Cameron Shahbazi.
The evening will also mark the return of Maestro Shardad Rohani, who will join the magnificent Pacific Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Music Director Laureate Carl St.Clair.
As we navigate this moment of collective grief, Farhang Foundation remains committed to ensuring that Iranian culture, music, and artistic voices continue to be seen, heard, and honored, today and for generations to come.
About Farhang Foundation
Farhang Foundation is a member supported nonpolitical, nonreligious, and not-for-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting the richness of Iranian art and culture for the betterment of society as a whole. With a singular mission at its core, the Foundation strives to preserve, nurture, and share the diverse heritage of Iran with the global community. Through steadfast commitment, the Foundation supports a wide array of academic, artistic, and cultural programs and initiatives, fostering collaborative partnerships with esteemed universities, renowned museums, and the vibrant world of performing arts. These partnerships enable the Foundation to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted aspects of Iranian culture and promote cross-cultural dialogue.
Media Contact:
Tannaz Guivi
Phone: 310-666-1546
Email: press@farhang.org
