"We have reached 72 percent of our capacity… Here are some reasons why you should attend” the 15th North American Zarathushti Congress (NAZC) in Houston, December 29-31, 2010 announced the October Newsflash — Week 1. The reasons cited were: "A pre-Congress tour and gala dinner with Iron Chef finalist Jehangir Mehta; well acclaimed speakers, youth breakout sessions, a mini congress for kids and sitter services; professional and talented entertainers from Houston and all around North America.”
The Congress will start with a jashan followed by welcome by the ZAH (Zoroastrian Association of Houston) choir and speeches by the co-chairs and dignitaries that will set the tone for the theme of the Congress: "Preserve the past, protect the present and perfect the future.” The keynote speaker will be Dr Niaz Kasravi who has received her PhD in criminology, law and society from the University of California and worked extensively on human rights in Iran and the role of Iranian women in the reform movement.
The program envisages one plenary session and several concurrent sessions during the day. Professor of Central Eurasian studies, history, India studies, Dr Jamsheed Choksy will talk on Zoroastrians in current day Iran. Yet another plenary session is by historian Dr Rashna Writer on "Zoroastrians in the Diaspora: The challenge to remain distinct and distinguishable in Lydia, India or USA.”
Among the other reputed speakers are Dr Homi Dhalla, Jim Engineer, Dr Pallan Ichaporia, Dr Niloufer Ichaporia-King, Sarosh Manekshaw, Dr Farrokh Mistree, Dinyar Patel, Dr Nerina Rustomji, Dan Sheffield, Shahrokh Vafadari. As noted the September update by Arnavaz Sethna, "Our speakers are not just dynamic, they are people who have a great deal to say because they are experts in their fields and their topics are relevant to Zarathushti interests and needs… You will have a hard time choosing which session to attend as they will make people think in radical ways.”
Congress venue Inter-Continental hotel (top) and Jehangir Mehta (below) ;Congress attractions (center, from left) "The Silk Road” and Ocean Star Oil Rig Museum; (bottom) "Those were the Days” (left) and Rhythm India performers
Youth sessions will focus on career networking, NextGenNow, Towers of Success and World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC). They are meant to "build bonds that will extend beyond associations and state lines.” For Zoroastrians under 25 in USA and Canada, the ZAH Library has held an essay competition on the topic "The Shah Nameh: A Glorious Past — A Prologue to the Future” to coincide with the 1,000th anniversary celebration of the composition of the epic. With October 31 as the deadline, the winner has been promised a prize of $1,000, free registration for the Congress and a special opportunity to make an oral presentation.
A structured mini congress for children (ages five through 12) will accord them a unique opportunity to bond with Zarathushti children from North America and understand Zarathushti concepts based on Sunday School format. Besides getting familiar with Shahnameh stories through projects and games there will be opportunities for public speaking with peer mentoring.
Although evenings are meant to relax, enjoy a cocktail and catch up with friends whom you have not met in years, the entertainment committee has planned a fun-filled extravaganza for three evenings including the Zarathushti Symphony Orchestra conducted by Farobag Cooper. Yet another attraction is "The Silk Road” by Vehishta Kaikobad where a musical tableau will bring to light the glory of the community’s heritage. The opening gala entertainment, "Those Were the Days,” will bring humor, music, dance and song by the local Houston talent. Nozer Buchia productions will present a hilarious Parsi Gujarati natak Vaari Baanna Paachal (snooping from behind door/windows) followed by a musical evening with Adi Tamboli and Buchia. The last day will bring the New Year’s Eve gala and the passing of the torch ceremony.
There are two pre-Congress events: those in leadership positions in FEZANA (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America), the FEZANA associations and small groups, have been invited to participate in a full day meeting on December 27 for information exchange and discussion pertaining to the Coming Together Roundtable (CTR). "Our intent is to collectively gather input from the North American region for our representative to present to the CTR meeting of world leaders in Bombay in January 2011,” notes FEZANA president Bomi Patel. They plan to deliberate on the structure of the CTR, social, cultural, educational and intellectual projects, religious and organizational infrastructure.
The next day the Houston chapter of WZCC has organized a visit to the Ocean Star Oil Rig Museum and a gala dinner when globally skilled restauranteur and entrepreneur Mehta will talk on "Passion and Risk: Two Sides of the Success Coin.” On the days of the Congress exhibits and booths will display old artifacts and sell books, crafts and food items. Further details can be obtained from their website http://www.zah.org/nazc-10