The world’s largest contemporary Iranian arts and culture festival at Harbourfront Centre

Tirgan Festival,
July 18 to– 21, 2013
in– the heart of Toronto’s waterfront

TORONTO, ON --– The world’s largest Iranian festival, Tirgan, returns to Harbourfront Centre from July 18-21.

Artists from across the globe are set to converge at Harbourfront Centre to celebrate Iranian arts and to showcase the richness and diversity of Iranian culture.

This year, Tirgan explores the idea of “hope” and highlights humanity’s ability to persevere, overcome and survive. Tirgan also places a special focus on women and the important contributions women have made to Iran’s cultural mosaic.
Iranian contemporary arts are shaped in part by members of society whose voice may not be heard, whose image was taboo and whose legal standing was half of their male counterparts. Throughout history, Iranians have had their share of natural and self-inflicted devastations, yet there is no more powerful indication to hope than artistic and cultural heritage.
Festival highlights include:

• Tirgan opening ceremony - a musical collage that incorporates operatic singing, theatrical elements, video and stage design showcasing one of the most well-known Iranian legends, Arash the Archer;
• A performance by Vancouver Pars National Ballet with folk and traditional Iranian dances;
• A collection of short films by award-winning filmmaker, Shirin Neshat, along with a Q&A period;
• And an opportunity to learn from the guru of Iranian cuisine, Najmieh Batmanglij.

Complete event listings: http://media.harbourfrontcentre.com/mediaDisplay.php?id=1194
For additional information and complete event listings, the public may visit harbourfrontcentre.com or call the Information Hotline at 416-973-4000. Harbourfront Centre is located at 235 Queens Quay West in the heart of downtown Toronto’s waterfront. For information about getting here during the Queens Quay revitalization, visit harbourfrontcentre.com/gettinghere

ABOUT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE SUMMER SEASON
Harbourfront Centre is a Canadian charity operating the 10 prime acres of Toronto's central waterfront as a free and open public site. We celebrate the multiplicities of cultures that comprise Canada and enliven the city through the creative imaginations of artists from across the country and around the globe. Harbourfront Centre attracts more than 17 million visits to its site each year to experience 4,000 diverse public events and activities. Harbourfront Centre receives operational support from the Government of Canada and the City of Toronto and program funding from all levels of government, the private sector and individual donors.

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