Connections Speaker Series explores North Vancouver’s Iranian Diaspora
Panel discussion on February 22 explores North Vancouver’s Iranian diaspora through demographics, cuisine and a community show and tell.
MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver has a number of Iranian artifacts and belongings in its collection and is hoping to include more. Golmehr Kazari will be leading a community show and tell to talk about the importance of objects and memory. Photo: Alison Boulier
“Diaspora” is a word used to describe a group of people who live outside of their homeland, either involuntarily or by migration. The Iranians are a recent and growing addition to the Canadian family, with substantial migration taking place in the last decades of the twentieth century.
Connections Speaker Series: North Vancouver’s Iranian Diaspora
The North Shore hosts one of the largest clusters of Iranian Canadian communities with 22,290 Canadians of Iranian and Persian origin according to the 2021 census.
With this in mind, join us at MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver (115 West Esplanade) on Wednesday, February 22 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm for a panel discussion with Golmehr Kazari, Nazmi Kamal and AR Rezamand on North Vancouver’s Iranian diaspora. Moderated by Maryam Abedi.
We’ll explore North Vancouver’s Iranian diaspora through demographics, cuisine and historic objects through a community show and tell. Snack and light refreshments will be provided.
Tickets for the Connections Speaker Series at MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver go on sale on February 1.
Show and Tell: Reminders of Home
Visitors and members of the Iranian community living in North Vancouver are invited to share their physical keepsake with us:
- What was something that you couldn’t leave behind when you left Iran?
- Why is that object important for you?
- What is the story behind that object?
Everyone carries the memories and feelings that are important to them in their minds and hearts, but what makes these objects special? Facilitated by Golmehr Kazari, share the story of your physical keepsake with us.
Feel free to bring one or two items with you to show other participants and tell a short story behind it.
In 2022, MONOVA partnered with Nazmi Kamal and Capilano University’s School of Tourism Management to create the Iranian Food Guide, a list of Iranian restaurants, bakeries and food outlets on the North Shore. Photo: Alison Boulier
About the Panelists
Golmehr Kazari, Museum Professional
Golmehr Kazari is a museum professional who holds an M.A degree in Performing Arts from Tehran’s University of Arts and is an award-winning author and researcher. Golmehr held the position of International Relations Officer of the Tehran Peace Museum for more than four years before immigrating to Canada in 2016.
Since 2018, Golmehr has worked with the Richmond Museum and Heritage Services on public programs and special events. Her Iranian upbringing in a family of cultural business owners, and her education and international exposure of travelling to 20 countries have made her passionate about diversity, peace, and education.
Nazmi Kamal, Capilano University, School of Tourism Management
Nazmi Kamal is an instructor at the School of Tourism Management with a background in hospitality operations and event management. He is an advocate of food and travel with academic interests in food sustainability, immigrant cuisine and food as a cultural identity. He earned an MBA in Hospitality Marketing (2004) and a Master of Science in Tourism and Travel (2009).
Memberships and affiliations:
- BC Hospitality Foundation- Member of Industry Advisory Council
- Meeting Professionals International – Member of Board of Directors at MPI BC Chapter- Director of Student Affairs
- Association for the Study of Food and Society
Ardalan Rezamand, Simon Fraser University, Department of History
Ardalan Rezamand is a historian of modern Iran. He completed his BA at University of California at Santa Barbara with double majors in Philosophy and Islamic & Near Eastern Studies.
Ardalan attended Simon Fraser University for his post-graduate studies graduating with a PhD in History in 2020. His thesis traced the introduction of Western academic philosophy to Iran and its influence on Iranian education and modernity. Ardalan’s research interests include Persianate knowledge production on religion, philosophy and politics in Iran and the Middle East.
From left: Panelists Golmehr Kazari, Nazmi Kamal and Ardalan Rezamand.
About the Connections Speaker Series
MONOVA’s Connection’s Speaker Series brings the stories of North Vancouver to life. Nestled between the dramatic mountains, forest, and the rich waterfront, North Vancouver’s unique landscape has shaped the history of the land and has a deep impact on the diverse people who call this land ‘home’.
Focused on human stories, MONOVA’s Connections Speaker Series will celebrate the innovation, diversity and unique landscape our communities inhabit through a fun, surprising and thought-provoking series of guests. These events will also provide an insight into the many stories of North Vancouver told in MONOVA’s museum and archival collections.
The Connections Speaker Series is generously sponsored by the Port of Vancouver.
We rely on contributions, monthly or one-time gifts, to help MONOVA safeguard and expand our community’s archival and museum collections, build learning experiences and inspire future generations.
Donations are accepted through the Friends of the North Vancouver Museum & Archives Society, Registered Charity No. 89031 1772 RR0001.
