As in previous years, this year’s Sizdah Bedar celebration was successfully held at Koushk Varjavand, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Farvahar Organization. The venue once again welcomed a large number of community members who came together to observe this cherished tradition.
The Farvahar Organization, as one of the most longstanding institutions within the Zoroastrian community, continues to play a vital role in supporting the social and religious needs of Zoroastrians living in Tehran — a contribution widely acknowledged and respected.
It’s worth recalling that had Farvahar not taken an active and public stance during the Sixth Parliamentary Election — especially by organizing the unforgettable final campaign rally at Vesal Field — the outcome for the Zoroastrian seat in Parliament might have turned out very differently.
That memorable rally and the stories surrounding it became a recurring theme in the “Chakchak” satire column of Amordad weekly for quite some time.
Among the notable accomplishments of the Sixth Parliament was the introduction of a dedicated budget for religious minorities. When the Zoroastrian representative — who had entered Parliament with strong backing from the Farvahar Organization — announced the allocation, there were widespread assumptions that the entire sum would be used for the construction of the Koushk Varjavand swimming pool, as a form of repayment for the rally’s success. However, that was far from the case — the funds were fairly distributed among various Zoroastrian organizations across the country.
Until the late 1990s, Farvahar magazine stood as the most widely read Zoroastrian publication in Iran. It was through its pages that the community stayed informed about developments and events. Gratitude and respect go to the late Hormozdyar Hormozdyari, whose tireless efforts kept the magazine alive and thriving.
Farvahar Publications stands as the oldest Zoroastrian publishing house in Iran, known for its dedication to publishing works on Zoroastrianism and ancient Iranian history and culture.
In the past year, the organization proudly held the fifth edition of the Farvahar Award, a well-received event that recognized top academic theses in the fields of ancient Iranian history, culture, and language. The ceremony also highlighted and introduced distinguished books recently published in these areas.
The Vesal sports ground once served as the central training space for Zoroastrian athletes in Tehran. The community fondly remembers the late Gohar Behmardi, who worked diligently to manage and support the facility.
For many years, Koushk Varjavand has been at the heart of Zoroastrian community life, hosting major celebrations such as Sizdah Bedar and the Sadeh Festival. In recent summers, it has continued to welcome Zoroastrians on warm Friday gatherings.
The late Jamshid Mehraziad is also remembered with deep respect for his humble and unwavering service to the Zoroastrian community, always stepping forward to help in various capacities.
Religious education classes for Zoroastrian youth have long been organized by the Farvahar Organization. However, during the final years of the 38th term of the Tehran Zoroastrian Anjoman, the responsibility shifted to the Anjoman itself and remained with them for over a decade.
The decision to take on religious education was made during the 37th term of the Anjoman’s board. New textbooks were developed and later approved by the late Mobed Rostam Shahzadi.
The 37th board took office during a particularly sensitive time in the community’s history. Due to the annulment of the Zoroastrian parliamentary seat by the Ministry of Interior in the 4th Islamic Consultative Assembly, Zoroastrians were left without representation in Parliament during 1992 and 1993 (1371–1372 in the Iranian calendar).
A new representative was eventually elected in a midterm vote, and shortly after, the elections for the 37th term of the Anjoman were held. The resulting board consisted primarily of young and energetic members who shared a unified vision with the newly elected parliamentary representative — marking the beginning of a renewed and dynamic period of leadership within the Zoroastrian community. The youthful and largely like-minded composition of the 37th board of the Tehran Zoroastrian Anjoman played a significant role in the successful re-election of the Zoroastrian representative during the 5th parliamentary term.
While the initiative to revise Zoroastrian religious textbooks and hold religious classes under the supervision of the Anjoman began during the 37th term, this responsibility was eventually returned to the Farvahar Organization in the early years of the 42nd term—after more than a decade.
The Farvahar Organization’s vital role in the Zoroastrian community is well known. Although its influence was even more prominent in past decades, it continues to be an essential force in the management of social and religious affairs. Its cooperation with the Tehran Zoroastrian Anjoman, the most influential Zoroastrian institution in the country, has often led to improved governance within the community.
In various election cycles, active members of Farvahar have taken part in the leadership of the Anjoman. The 42nd board is a clear example of this synergy.
In Mehr 1402 (October 2023), the head of the Farvahar Organization’s board of directors joined the leadership team of one of the Anjoman’s key general assemblies—an event that ultimately led to the formation of a five-member supervisory committee.
With the 46th Anjoman elections on the horizon, Farvahar is once again positioned to play a meaningful role—offering its experience, resources, and support to help ensure the process is efficient, transparent, and beneficial for the Zoroastrian community.
