Nurturing Heritage: Farsi Language and Cultural Connection in Vancouver

One of the concerns of many Iranian immigrant families is that their children may forget their mother tongue, leading to a gradual loss of connection with their family, culture, and roots. It's undeniable that language is a key factor in bonding people, and when Iranian children go to school, there is the belief that they need to learn Farsi, as it will help in their daily interactions, and will also be highly beneficial for their future careers.

The Farsi School "Be Soye Ayandeh" in North Vancouver, under the management of Parinaz Zhandi, has been active in this field for years. Now that Farsi is accepted as a second language in many Vancouver schools, the teachers at this school engage in a broader scope of activities. In addition to the Farsi language, children here also become familiar with Persian arts and literature to prepare them for cultural and social events.

In this program, Sherry Soltani initially talks to a few students who speak Farsi easily and who recite poetry. They emphasize that learning Farsi has specifically helped their relationship with grandparents. One teacher, Catherine, who teaches art and painting, mentions that when children become familiar with their roots and identity, it builds character.

Soltani speaks to a few students. Estella and her grandmother come to school every day, and learning Farsi has helped them develop a good relationship. Estella's mother is Canadian, and her father is Iranian. Her grandmother feels great about the existence of the Farsi school in Vancouver, emphasizing that even though they are far from Iran, they shouldn't be distant from their culture and traditions.

Niki, a ten-year-old, proudly draws illustrations of mythical stories from the Shahnameh.

In a group conversation with the supervisor and teachers of the Farsi language school "Be Soye Ayandeh", Parinaz Zhandi and her colleagues share their experiences of immigration and the reasons behind the existence of such a school.

Journalist: Sherry Soltani

Skyrise Media Society