While the Congress is labeled "North American,” there will be global participation from over 600 attendees and interesting speakers, assured the organizers. The forthcoming 18th North American Zarathushti Congress (NAZC) to be hosted by the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) from December 29, 2024 to January 1, 2025 has decided on a theme: "Generation Z: Propelling Zarathushti Resurgence.” The planners consider "Generation Z” a double word play for the term could denote all the Z(arathushti) generations or specifically the younger generation in their teens and early twenties, noted a press release from the organizers. One of their goals is ‘40 under 40’ to ensure 40% of the attendees are under the age of 40, benefiting from interactive sessions developed by the Youth and the Young Adult Committee.
Kayo Sidhwa (l) and Aderbad Tamboli
To create and sustain interest in the mega event to be held at The Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria, every three/four days the organizers had been sending out emailers beginning May 2024 announcing: Bollywood actor Boman Irani will be delivering the keynote address; award winning journalist and news executive Parisa Khosravi has been selected as distinguished speaker for this year’s Prof Kaikhosrov D. Irani Memorial Lecture; Prof Miguel Angel Andres-Toledo, FEZANA (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America) Professor of Zoroastrian Languages and Literature at the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto will deliver the Khorshed Jungalwala Memorial Lecture…
The NAZC executive committee will be led by co-chairs FEZANA president Kayo Sidhwa and Aderbad Tamboli, with Lyla Daroga as treasurer, Percy Master as secretary, and Aban Rustomji in charge of program, assisted by a team of 75 volunteers. "Programs on 10-year Zarathushti outlook, advocacy of Zoroastrianism and thought-provoking topics and issues will spark vibrant dialog between different ages. A fresh perspective, first-hand insights, and countless connections are just some of the things you will experience,” promise the organizers.
Above: The Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria;
Top: Boman Irani; Parisa Khosravi; Prof Miguel Angel Andres-Toledo
The Congress will commence with a prayer ceremony and end with a Behram roz jashan at the Bhandara Atash Kadeh followed by a visit to the Zarathushti Heritage and Cultural Center, home of FEZANA Information Research Education Service (FIRES). "Visions of Paradise” as part of the opening ceremony and a New Year’s eve banquet on the penultimate day will be included in the program. There will be a concurrent religious education program for children aged 5-12 years and tweens-teens aged 12-17 years.
The day prior to the Congress will see activities and field trips planned by the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce. The youth will have an option to socialize at events and outings planned for them. Entertainment by internationally renowned artistes and a hilarious Gujarati play are also on the cards.
Having successfully hosted the 7th World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC) in 2000 as also two North American Congresses in 1990 and in 2010, ZAH was initially set to organize this 18th Congress in 2020. However, the pandemic and 12th WZC in New York in 2022 required them to defer their Congress plans until this year. Even while the Congress registrations are yet to open, the room tariffs at The Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria have been negotiated at $109 (Rs 9,056) per night (up to four guests).