The College of Liberal Arts and the City of Reno invite you to the first Iranian Culture Celebration Event at the University of Nevada, Reno, on Thursday, April 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Knowledge Center Rotunda.

Neda Khalafi, a Department of Art, Art History, and Design lecturer, idealized this family-friendly event to introduce Reno citizens to Iranian culture and traditions, including poetry, music, dance and art.

"The event is free for everyone, from parking to some sweet samples of Iranian/Persian pastries!" Khalafi said. "The main purpose of this event is to highlight our culture and some of the disciplines encompassed in the arts of Iran. The works of some ancient Iranian thinkers have been very influential in the fields of philosophy, architecture, art literature, medicine, sciences and mathematics. These concepts are taught in classrooms every day. I expect people will walk away thinking there is so much they did not know about our awesome community and rich culture."

The public can expect to get information about the poetry, arts, and literature of Iran, experience a virtual reality tour of some of the famous tourist destinations of Iran, listen to some traditional live music, see a dance performance by a lovely group of Iranian students at the University of Nevada, Reno, look at some beautiful crafts from Iran, take a photo in a traditional photo booth, have a little taste of Iranian/Persian sweets, have their name written in beautiful Farsi Calligraphy, and meet some talented individuals who are ready to tell them about all these things.  

"I absolutely believe, in today's world, we need to be more understanding and compassionate toward one another. The world has so much hurt, and division among groups seems to be spreading," Khalafi said. "Lack of knowledge leads to making assumptions about others that are untrue. Educating ourselves and helping our fellow human beings become better informed can be an important and impactful step toward understanding and having more empathy and respect for each other, no matter what part of the world we come from. This event is not connected, in any way, to any political or religious ideology. It is simply meant to showcase and inform our attendees about our Persian culture. We hope the community takes advantage of this opportunity to learn some interesting facts about the Iranian community in the Biggest Little City and where we have come from."

Interim Dean Isabelli shared that the College of Liberal Arts sponsors events that elevate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts that align with the college's mission.

"Through the college's donor-sponsored Diversity Fund, we are able to support collaborative efforts that aim to foster a more inclusive community," Isabelli said. "This event will provide an invaluable opportunity for our community to engage with and learn about different cultures and traditions. The Iranian Culture Celebration is a part of our broader effort to not only discuss but actively contribute to making DEI a central pillar of our institutional identity. We encourage everyone to participate in this enlightening event."

Event information:

Thursday, April 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Knowledge Center Rotunda.

Free admission, no ticket required.

Free parking is available on the 4th floor at the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex.

Family-friend event, appropriate for all ages.