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Presented by Pasargad Heritage Foundation
The Nowruz Award
For
the best
personality of the
year 2015, in the
category of
'intangible heritage'.
Ms. Gordafarid
Ms. Gordafarid, a narrator
and storyteller of Shahnameh ("The Book of Kings" penned by
Iranian poet, Ferdowsi, in 10th century A.D.), a researcher and an
activist in the field of intangible heritage
receives the Nowruz Award for the best
personality of the year in the intangible heritage category, for:
- Her persistence to learn how to tell
Shahnameh stories in a traditional way; a domain traditionally
solely belonging to men.
- Her courageous performance as a raconteur
of old Persian stories in public places such as tea-houses,
traditional sports clubs and street of a country where such
activities are preserved for men only.
- Her innovations in the way traditional
storytelling is performed and, thus, bringing it to a contemporary
level.
- Introducing classes for children and youth
to familiarize them with this art.
- basing her works on reliable texts of
Shahnameh.
****
Undoubtedly, Gordafarid's decision to embark
on a journey into the realm of telling stories of Shahnameh was an
important one. Narrating the stories of the "book of Kings"
(penned by Ferdowsi in 10th century A.D.) in a traditional way has
always been an undertaking for men. Gordafaris's insistence and
persistence to enter this realm coincided with her decision to
learn the traditional methods from the distinguished Masters (Morsheds).
She successfully finished her apprenticeship, gaining the Masters'
approval.
However, she did not stop there. She
decided to perform in the public just like trained men did. Her
appearance in teahouses, traditional sports clubs, gathering of
dervishes, as well as performing in the streets has thus become a
significant event in the history of story telling in Iran.
Although her involuntary forced departure
from Iran was as difficult as it is for anyone who is forced to go
into exile, her presence in the West has resulted in the
introduction of this ancient art to Iranians outside Iran and
especially the younger generation. Her presence (in the West) has
also resulted in the introduction of an art form to the Western
world that is an original form of Iranian performing art, based on
unforgettable stories coming from the ancient history of Iran.
Pasargad Heritage Foundation
www.savepasargad.com
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