The commemoration of Ferdous Kaviani was held on Friday, in the Marker Conference Hall in Tehran Pars, where his daughter and friends shared memories and reflections.
Armita Kaviani, the daughter of Ferdous Kaviani, began her speech with tears and sorrow, expressing disbelief over her father’s absence. She shared, “My father always sought friendship and affection. He desired peace everywhere.” She further added, “I believe that wish is still alive today, and with this gathering, Ferdous Kaviani’s mission continues.”
Armita also spoke of her father’s deep concern for his homeland, his fellow citizens, and especially his co-believers. He dreamed of Zoroastrians achieving high positions. According to Armita, her father endured many injustices. She noted that celebrations in Iran have diminished in recent years, and she urged that these festivities be revived, honoring her father’s wishes.
She concluded by thanking everyone who helped organize the ceremony and the Marker Tehran Pars community. With a heartfelt closing, she said, “No one can take Iran from us.”
We Are Proud to Be Iranian and Embrace Iranian Culture
Mobed Pedram Soroushpour, a representative of the Mobedan Association of Iran, began his speech by offering respect to the holy fravahar of ashu Zarathushtra Mehr Spitman and to the soul of Ferdous Kaviani, noting the gathering of artists in memory of this legendary figure in Zoroastrian art. He declared, “We are proud to be Iranian and to celebrate Iranian culture.” He highlighted that Iranian culture, one of the longest-standing in human history, is renowned for its depth and nobility.
Mobed Soroushpour described culture as a collection of a nation’s knowledge, ceremonies, beliefs, arts, and values, underscoring that Iranian culture is supported by thousands of years of heritage. He identified three foundational pillars of culture: first, wisdom and rationality; second, religious or conscientious beliefs; and third, art, which he described as the aesthetic expression of the universe. “Wisdom drives progress,” he stated, “conscience gives that progress direction, and art is its result.”
He also pointed to the emphasis on joy in Iranian culture, explaining that Iranians traditionally celebrated at least one festival each month, with additional celebrations at the start of each season. He noted, “A happy nation is one that remains hopeful and moves forward.” Mobed Soroushpour encouraged artists to help bring happiness and joy to all Iranians, emphasizing that the nation is in need of a culture of happiness.
He shared that Zoroastrians do not mourn the deceased but instead perform ceremonies to bring peace to the mourning family, as symbolized by the candlelit assembly held at the beginning of the ceremony. Reflecting on Iranian festivals, he noted that Mehrgan celebrates commitments, Esfandgan honors women, Tirgan celebrates freedom, and Nowruz represents renewal and innovation.
Mobed Soroushpour concluded by emphasizing that a nation builds its future by honoring its past, adding, “Our ancestors believed that heaven could be created, not simply promised.” He closed his speech by commemorating Ferdous Kaviani, whom he described as a true embodiment of Zoroastrianism among all Iranians.
He may have felt hurt but never hurt anyone
The message from Bahram Beyzaei, writer and director, was read by Afshin Zaim. The message read:
“Dear Mrs. Armita Kaviani, on the first anniversary of the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Ferdous Kaviani, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, the Zoroastrian community of Iran, and the theater and cinema community of our homeland. I will always remember our sole collaboration on stage in “King snake” and our only film project together, “Killing dogs” (sag koshi). Undoubtedly, his finest stage performance that I had the pleasure to witness was in Savari Dar Amad directed by Arbi Avanesyan. He was a friend with low expectations, carefree and unbound.”
Ferdous Kaviani Was a Noble, Honest, and Loving Person
Dariush Mo’addabian, actor, director, writer, and translator, reflected on his dear friend and colleague, Ferdous Kaviani, stating, “I cherish the memory of my dear friend.” He described Kaviani’s physical agility, genuine expressions, and focused performances as profoundly impactful during his teenage years.
Among the collaborations he had with Ferdous Kaviani, Dariush Maudebian mentioned the “Borobia (crowded) neighborhood”, and the series “Shekl-e Digar khandidan” (another of way laughing). He also recalled a play titled Embassy, performed in 1367, which he translated himself and staged with Ferdous Kaviani at the City Theater of Chaharsoo Hall. Maudebian characterized Ferdous Kaviani as a noble, honest, and loving person who held no grudges and never harmed anyone. He was serious about his work.
Mo’addabian recounted a memory involving Akbar Rahmati, his long-time collaborator. He shared that after each performance of “The Embassy” at Shahr theatre, Ferdous Kaviani would gather all the actors and remind them of the notes he had taken backstage as a director, despite their fatigue. Interestingly, at the end of each night, when the cast would say that the show was over and there would be no performances the next day, he insisted that everyone return to hear him sing individually, saying, “I can’t sleep until I do. I want everyone to be happy.”
Ferdous Kaviani was proficient in the German language
Esmail Khalaj, writer, director, and actor, began by congratulating everyone on this blessed day. “As you congratulated me, we are gathered here among dear Zoroastrians,” he said. Reflecting on his decade-long friendship with Ferdous Kaviani, he noted, “We collaborated on two or three projects and were already well acquainted.”
He recalled their shared experiences at Sangalj Hall, where they worked together on various shows. “There was a project called Work at Home, which we translated from German,” Khalaj shared. “Ferdous Kaviani was very proficient in German, while I knew only a little. I would write the equivalents of proverbs in Farsi.”
He praised Kaviani’s performance in Ziba Was from Horabad, where he played the role of the bride’s father, in the Horabadi language, calling it one of his best theatrical performances.
Ismail Khalaj also recounted a memory involving Ferdous Kaviani during rehearsals for one of his own plays. “One of the actors was being rude during the production,” he explained. “After the performance, as we exited the Shahr Theater, I turned to Ferdous Kaviani and remarked, ‘Did you see how rude that actor was?’ To which Ferdous replied, ‘He who is here doesn’t need to defend himself; why talk about him?'”
Ferdous Kaviani’s Humility Was Impressive
Afshin Namiranian, the head of the Tehran Zoroastrian Association, expressed his joy for the occasion and hoped that the spirit of this celebration would bring health and happiness to everyone present. He thanked all the organizers and participants in the event, calling it a positive omen to celebrate one of our monthly festivals, except for Mehregan, in such a beautiful manner.
Namiranian noted that this celebration was organized at the suggestion of the Tehran Zoroastrian House of Culture and Art, as well as Kaviani family, who were the main hosts. He regarded it as an opportunity to honor Ferdous Kaviani, may his soul rest in peace. He recalled that Kaviani was mentioned once, in 2016, but unfortunately he could not attend. We could not hold his commemoration while he was among us.
He continued “Of course, it is not important which prophet one would wish to praise. The main goal for us is to act as humans. Every prophet spoke of good thoughts, words, and deeds.” Afshin Namiranian added that, although he did not have the chance to know Kaviani from close, but those who did know him always spoke of him as a person with good thoughts and good deeds.
He reiterated “Just as our esteemed guests showed their respect by attending our ceremony, we also, in return, extend our respect to them. He extended his congratulation on occasion of Abangan festival on behalf of himself and the Zoroastrian community.”
Namiranian also highlighted one of Dariush Mo’addabian’s works titled The Poet’s Trap Theater, which he described as a great work. In closing, he expressed gratitude to everyone involved, including the Rajabi family, humorously noting, “I don’t know why we always had to thank this family at the end of the satirical series of The Wives and The Green House.”
Ferdous Kaviani Was an Iranian Zoroastrian
Esfandiar Ekhtiari, the former representative of Zoroastrians in Parliament, began his speech by extending his greeting to the holy Fravahar of Ashu Zarathushtra Mehr Spitman, to the culture of Iran, and to the artists of Iran.
In his speech, he highlighted that Iran is frequently discussed in current times. He specifically mentioned the ongoing conversations about three islands, asserting that not only those three islands but all parts of Iran are integral to the nation. “These three islands are part of Iran in a special way and are inseparable,” he emphasized.
Ekhtiari noted that Iranian culture and Zoroastrian culture are intertwined. “Throughout the long history of Iranian culture, we Zoroastrians have proudly preserved it and carried it into the present. Happiness and love are integral to Iranian culture. We believe that we are all human beings first, then Iranians, and only then do we identify by religion. Therefore, Ferdous Kaviani was a Zoroastrian Iranian.”
He recalled his statement of last March, saying “I mentioned that Ferdous Kaviani was an Iranian Zoroastrian, and there is no “but” about it, and I still say there is no “but about it”.
Ekhtiari further remarked that Ferdous Kaviani was also a popular artist. “I truly appreciated that his wife was present today, but unfortunately, I was informed that she was unwell and couldn’t attend.” He expressed admiration for the selflessness of Kaviani’s wife and children, noting, “I mentioned at the Esfandang festival that if a man is successful, it is often due to the support of a selfless woman. I am grateful to Ferdous Kaviani’s family who are here today.”
The artists’ community will never forget Ferdous Kaviani
Mehraneh Mahintorabi, actress, began by wishing everyone a happy Abangan festival, expressing her hope that we celebrate joy and festivity every day.
Reflecting on Ferdous Kaviani, she said, “He was my best colleague and my noblest companion.” She recalled their first collaboration in the series Mesh Mashallah and Box of Secrets, admitting that she was unaware of the full dimensions of his personality at that time.
Mahintorabi shared that she had the opportunity to work with him again for 14 months on the series Wives. “During that time, I came to know him as the most reserved, hardworking, humble, and honest person,” she noted. “The artistic community will never forget him.”
She also mentioned that during the filming, Kaviani’s acting style sometimes caused delays in the recording for Wives, to the point where even the sound crew found it amusing.
The Authorities Left Him Alone
Seyed Reza Orang, film critic, began by paying tribute to the pure soul of Ferdous Kaviani, stating, “If I am here, it is out of my devotion and love for him.”
Orang continued with a poignant memory: “In the 1960s, during times of bombardments and rockets, Pelekan Theater was performing with Ferdous Kaviani when the electricity suddenly went out. Ferdous remained composed until a bee lamp was brought in. His ability to maintain his emotions and sense of presence in all situations was a testament to his acting prowess.”
He reflected on Kaviani’s professional ethics, noting, “While we can practice any art, becoming an artist requires the qualities of a mystic—good thoughts, good speech, and good deeds. His morals were truly exceptional. In my 40 years as a critic, I have never encountered or read even a marginal case against him. He never protested, and everyone held him in high regard.”
Orang emphasized that Ferdous Kaviani never undermined the roles of others in his performances. “My only complaint is that the authorities left him alone,” he said, adding, “Yet in the spirit of Ferdous Kaviani, I strive to forgive them. Unfortunately, his exemplary morals were not utilized in educational settings.”
The commemoration ceremony for the veteran and talented actor Ferdous Kaviani took place on Aban 4, 1403, at the Marker Conference in Tehran Pars. The event began at 6:00 PM with the playing of the national anthem and a selection of songs featuring the voice of Vida Jahangiri, translated by Afshin Zaeem. It continued until 9:00 PM, attended by numerous artists, co-religionists, and admirers of this great Zoroastrian figure in Iranian cinema.
