Farhang Foundation

A member supported nonpolitical, nonreligious, nonprofit foundation dedicated to celebrating Iranian Art & Culture for the benefit of the community at large.

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

With profound sadness, Farhang Foundation announces the passing of our beloved founder and founding chairman, Mr. Ali Cyrus Razi, who passed away peacefully, and surrounded by family, on
October 29, 2026.

Together with his late wife, Anousheh Razi, Mr. Razi founded Farhang Foundation in 2008 and served as its founding chairman through 2017. Mr. Razi’s vision was for our diverse Iranian community to come together and contribute their time and energy to create an enduring home for the celebration of Iranian art and culture, creating opportunities to share this rich heritage with the world. Farhang Foundation has been the result of his extraordinary vision and we remain committed to it in everything we do.

Mr. Razi’s commitment to service extended far beyond Farhang Foundation. Through his contributions to higher education, his humanitarian work with The Midnight Mission, and his leadership in business and philanthropy, Mr. Razi devoted his talents and energy to advancing opportunity and enriching the lives of others. In 2011, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition of his extraordinary contributions as an immigrant to the United States.

For the Farhang Foundation family, his passing is a deeply personal loss, but also a moment of reflection. We mourn a founder whose vision brought us together and whose legacy carries a lasting responsibility: to continue steadfastly on the important mission of celebrating and promoting Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community at large.

On behalf of our Board of Trustees, staff, councils, committees, volunteers, and supporters, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

We will honor Mr. Razi’s memory through our continued dedication to the foundation he and Anousheh established and the community they helped build.

May the memory of Ali Cyrus Razi be a blessing, and may his legacy continue to inspire generations to come.

Farhang Foundation

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

Proud to present the West Coast premiere of Ali Asgari's latest masterpiece, A BIT OF LIGHT at the @AFIFEST For tickets and more info please visit https://t.co/39KgzGqXO8

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

The West Coast premiere of BLIND RUNNER is coming to @SouthCoastRep 🎭
“Mesmerizing, Stunning, Deeply Moving” - The Guardian

Written and directed by internationally acclaimed playwright Amir Reza Koohestani, and starring Mohammad Aghebati and Ainaz Azarhoush, this moving play follows three Iranians whose lives become connected through an extraordinary race.

📍 South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa
📅 October 18–November 8, 2026
🗣️ Performed in Persian with English supertitles

Farhang Foundation followers: your exclusive ticket offer starts today. Use code FARHANG for 25% off full-price tickets.

Full details and tickets: https://t.co/JqIALBphNd

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

Farhang Foundation congratulates acclaimed filmmaker Ali Asgari on the world premiere of his latest masterpiece, A BIT OF LIGHT, at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival! 🎬✨

We look forward to presenting the U.S. premiere of this extraordinary film this October and sharing it with audiences here in the United States. Stay tuned for full details to be announced soon.

Congratulations to Mr. Asgari and his entire cast and crew on this remarkable accomplishment, a proud moment for brave Iranian cinema!

Farhang Foundation was deeply honored to support Mr. Asgari and his cast’s presence at the Venice premiere.

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

✨ One extraordinary evening. A year of cultural impact. Tickets and more detail at https://t.co/fcDZpRfbe8
Join us on November 7 for Farhang Foundation’s 15th Annual Fundraising Gala at the historic Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, an evening of celebration in support of Iranian art and culture.

🎶 Featuring musical headliners Shahbal Shabpareh’s Black Cats🌟
With special guest vocalist Arash Avin
🎤 Hosted by comedian Melissa Shoshahi

Last year alone, Farhang Foundation impacted over 28 million people around the world with Iran’s rich culture. We couldn’t have made it happen without the generosity of our supporters, including those who join us at our annual fundraising gala. ❤️

As Farhang Foundation’s ONLY fundraiser of the year, this special evening helps support over 100 annual programs and events united by one mission: to celebrate, promote, and uplift Iranian art and culture to the world.

Your presence makes a difference. Join us in making another remarkable year possible.

📅 November 7, 2026
📍 Beverly Wilshire Hotel
🎟️ Tickets, Table Sponsorships, and Ads plus more info at https://t.co/fcDZpRfbe8

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

📷 BAHRAM BEYZAIE: AN AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE TRIBUTE
Tickets & more info at https://t.co/n9rWeADnz8
Farhang Foundation is proud to partner with the American Cinematheque, and the PARS Equality Center, for a four-day tribute honoring the extraordinary legacy of the great Bahram Beyzaie, master filmmaker, playwright, scholar, and leading figure of the Iranian New Wave movement.

Spanning four decades of essential work, the series celebrates Beyzaie’s singular cinematic vision and his profound engagement with Persian literature, mythology, history, and cultural memory.
Full details at https://t.co/n9rWeADnz8

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

Watch the world premiere of QESHM by Rite of Strings featuring Ismail Lumanovski and composed by Ehsan Matoori. https://t.co/MJFjOoiZxf

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

QESHM the debut single by Rite of Strings premieres on Farhang Performances this Thursday, August 6 at 11AM PT on https://t.co/aAM4my74Gn

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

Join us this Sunday July 12 for a FREE concert by the one and only Shahbal Shabpareh and Black Cats at the annual FESTIVAL BEVERLY HILLS. More details at https://t.co/ESgxwAxOVw

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

Farhang Foundation mourns the passing of Marjane Satrapi, the internationally acclaimed author, illustrator, animator, and filmmaker whose groundbreaking work transformed the global understanding of Iranian culture and identity.

Through her landmark graphic memoir Persepolis, Satrapi introduced millions of readers around the world to a deeply personal and profoundly human portrait of Iran, in an innovative style that expanded the possibilities of storytelling. Her distinctive voice, courageous, insightful, and deeply compassionate, resonated across generations and cultures, making her one of the most influential literary figures of our time.

Beyond literature, Satrapi’s contributions to cinema and animation demonstrated her remarkable artistic vision. Her Academy Award-nominated adaptation of Persepolis and subsequent films showcased the power of art to bridge cultures, provoke thoughtful dialogue, and illuminate the complexities of the human experience. Through her work, she elevated graphic storytelling and animation as vital forms of artistic and cultural expression.

Marjane Satrapi leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that transcends borders and disciplines. Her creativity, intellect, and unwavering commitment to authentic storytelling enriched the worlds of art, literature, and film, while inspiring countless artists, writers, filmmakers, and readers around the globe.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, collaborators, and the many admirers whose lives were touched by her work. Her voice will continue to inspire future generations, and her enduring contributions to world culture will not be forgotten.

Farhang Foundation

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

We are thrilled to announce that tonight‘s Kayhan Kalhor concert with The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is now sold out. We look forward to welcoming everyone tonight for what promises to be a spectacular performance. Thank you Vancouver for all the support.

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

Join us this Sunday May 31 at @UCLAalpert for a day of Iranian Music from 9AM - 9PM, including workshops, talks, performances, and a closing finale concert. All events are free and open to the public, check out our full schedule by visiting https://t.co/l6bHBwYCaQ

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

Check out this virtual exhibition tour of the current Mouncher Yektai exhibition at the @icamiami with curator Donna Honarpisheh. Learn more about this exhibition by visiting us at https://t.co/Ynn38P8CaO
https://t.co/2WlJCQbcyf

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

We are proud to announce our first exhibition partnership in Europe with the launch of TURANDOT by the @Parasolunit during the Venice Biennial. More info at https://t.co/ujwi1jzM7r

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

Proud to present the upcoming @KayhanKalhor concert with the presitgious @VSOrchestra at Vancouver's majestic Orpheum Theater on June 3. Tickets an more info at https://t.co/XGvnzNEB96

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

Announcing Manoucher Yektai: The Stranger and the Tree at @icamiami in Miami Florida.
On view April 30 – November 22, this landmark exhibition marks the first solo museum presentation in the U.S. of pioneering Iranian-born, New York School artist Manoucher Yektai.
More info at https://t.co/i8OiANzTIR

Bringing together nearly 30 paintings from 1948–1963, the exhibition traces Yektai’s evolution from early surrealist-inflected abstraction to his signature gestural style, where thick, expressive brushstrokes transform still life, landscape, and portrait into richly textured, almost sculptural forms.

Rooted in a deeply personal visual language, Yektai’s work draws on Iranian rugs, Iranian flora, calligraphy, and mystical poetry, fusing Iranian and American traditions into a uniquely transnational vision of abstract expressionism.

Don’t miss this powerful exploration of an artist who redefined the boundaries between abstraction and representation.

Exhibtion curated by Dana Honarpisheh
📍 ICA Miami, Florida
🗓 April 30 – November 22

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

We proudly present LIGHT ALWAYS PREVAILS, the Bay Area debut of Maestro Shardad Rohani’s Roudaki Orchestra on May 31 at the Dinkelspiel Auditorium, Stanford University in Palo Alto. Tickets & more info via https://t.co/U8D5nEdMwA

An evening to bring the community together for unity and beautiful music by Iranian composers and musicians.
Comprised of forty exceptional musicians under the direction of Maestro Rohani, the Roudaki Orchestra brings together extraordinary talent to showcase the richness and evolution of Iranian musical traditions.

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

Announcing the 2026 UCLA Celebration of Iranian Cinema by the @UCLAFTVArchive. Free reservations now open via https://t.co/0HP6Pf95ae
The UCLA Film & Television Archive and Farhang Foundation proudly present the 2026 UCLA Celebration of Iranian Cinema — the longest-running Iranian film series in the United States.
📷 Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum
📷 June 5–21, 2026

[Farhang Foundation @farhangfound]

The 10th Annual IRAN THROUGH BOOKS returns to the @latimesfob this April 18 - 19 at @USC Join us at America's largest annual book festival at booth #948 and meet our guest authors in person. Learn more at https://t.co/BUlXMnzoRS Admission is free.