When it comes to "Persian events", some Iranian communities seem to be polarized by those favoring social events, and those favoring more intellectual ones. Given the turn out and the persistency of the first type of events, the term "Persian events" is almost always used to refer to social ones. The How’s and the Why’s of this divide would be important lessons to learn about the Iranian community.

A poetry night seems to be a compromising event bringing some otherwise-divided people together. A deep (but delicate) view to life, without philosophical contemplations or logical arguments, is apparently a popular (and sometimes inevitable) trend:

"Our job is not to demystify the red rose

It is perhaps to float in the charm of the rose."

This subjective trend should not affect the way we approach objective issues. For instance, one should differentiate between mythical and historical accounts of Norooz, and preferably cite valid references in each case. It is important to know both accounts without creating a blend of the two. Is Jamshid, for instance, a historical or a mythical figure?

Not only Norooz, but also the whole Iranian history (and hence identity) are sometimes victims of some “poetic" approaches. Some posts are published left and right on some Persian websites discussing unemployment insurance, maternity leave benefits, and many welfare programs in Ancient Iran. Whether these points are right or wrong is not my concern. My concern is if we are accurate and responsible enough in validating such (and other) claims:

• Having beauty in the eyes of the beholder is sometimes devastating.
• Even the most glorious has-been is still a has-been.
• One can be a proud Iranian without faking a subjective identity.

One more time, we are floating in the charm of Norooz. If we choose to demystify it, let's do it in a responsible and accountable way.

Written by Saman