Page 6 - ZAQ_NewsLetter_July 2015

RELIGION

TIRGAN

The feast of Tirgan is an ancient Iranian celebration, which is still celebrated
among Iranian Zoroastrians, Parsis of India and some Iranian Muslims in
various parts of Iran. This event is celebrated on the 13th day of the month of
Tir, (the 4th month of the Persian calendar) which equates to the 2nd or 3
July in the Gregorian Calendar. The celebration is experiencing a resurgence
amongst Iranians. Today, some Iranians celebrate this occasion with dancing,
singing, reciting poetry and serving spinach soup and sholeh zard. It has also
been observed that during this celebration, children and adults rejoice by
swimming in streams and splashing water on each other. The custom of tying
rainbow-colored bands on their wrists, which are worn for ten days and then
thrown into a stream, is also a way to rejoice for children.1

There are many legends on the origins
of Tirgan. One is associated with the
legend of the arrow (Tir), a reference to
‘Arash of the Swift Arrow,’ who was the
best Iranian archer of ancient times. To
settle a land dispute, it was stipulated
that Arash should ascend Mount Damavand, and discharge an arrow
whose landing location would determine the boundary between the two
kingdoms, Iran and Turan. Arash climbed the mountain, and
discharged an arrow, the flight of which continued from the dawn of day
until noon. The arrow finally fell on the banks of the Jeyhun (the Oxus)
river, and the boundaries of Iran expanded beyond all expectations,
resulting in the inclusion of multiple cultures into the nation. This
development led to the birth of Tirgan festival, a celebration of
diversity.2

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tireg%C4%81n
2 http://tirgan.ca/festival/about-tirgan

SPORTS

ZAQ Sports

by Farhad Fereydoonzad

Our community is young at heart and junior athletes enjoyed an active Fall and Winter getting together and
playing Basketball and Badminton. This year we had 7 members for Basketball and 13 members for
Badminton which took place at Beaconsfield Recreation Center.

We will start the 2015-2016 season in October and encourage everyone to send us a note about getting
involved. We are also looking to have activity sessions for our young children ages 7 and up and hope to
teach them some skills and self-confidence.

ZAQ – July 2015 Page 6 of 10