Finally the Scuba video I promised you.
Salamati-ye Shah was the first national anthem of Persia (Iran). It was used from the time of Mozzafar al-Din Shah Qajar until 1933, when it was replaced by Sorood-e Shahanshahi Iran, which praised the Pahlavis. The music was composed by French military musician Lemaire. The new lyrics are by Bijan Taraqi who was asked by Peyman Soltani, leader of the Melal Orchestra of Iran to write a poem for the old national anthem. This new version of the anthem was performed in October 2005 by Melal Orchestra.
این آهنگ که گفته مي شود اولين سرود ملي ما ايرانيان است، در دوره قاجار توسط موسیو لومر فرانسوی ( موسیقی دان نظامی اعزامی به ایران) برای پیانو ساخته شده است و یک بار به هنگام ورود مظفرالدین شاه قاجار و در حضور وی در پاریس اجرا گردیده است. بعد از مدتها این آهنگ توسط ارکستر ملل ایران در مهرماه ۸۴ در تالار وحدت اجرا گردیده است. نکته مهم درباره این اجرا اینست که به درخواست رهبر ارکستر ملل (پیمان سلطانی)، ترانه ای برای آن توسط بیژن ترقی (ترانه سرای مشهور معاصر که اکنون 70 سال سن دارد) سروده شده و این سرود با صدای زیبای سالار عقیلی به یک آهنگ میهن پرستانه خیره کننده تبدیل شده است.
I went scuba diving at the Balmorhea State Park in west Texas a few days ago, and I decided to celebrate the Persian new year with fishes underwater. I will upload some videos to youtube soon.
Happy Nowruz!!
We are spreading a message to Iranians, Tajiks, Afghans, and others to join us in not using a “goldfish,” at their Haft Sin table. Our Nowrouz celebration will begin soon and it is beautiful time of the year which represents our identity. However, not having a goldfish will not diminish the importance of Haft Sin.
It is important to keep our good traditions and modify or eliminate the ones that are harmful to people, animals, and to the environment.
If you and your family members must add a “goldfish or mahi ghermez,” to your Haft Sin table please follow the steps which are prepared by The Center for Animal Lovers in Iran. See more information in this flyer (in Persian).
1) If you are buying a goldfish, purchase it from locations which have large containers and the containers’ water is clean.
2) The container which you use must be large (preferably glass) and have also a large opening for good air circulation.
3) The container must be away from very cold or very hot locations (and it definitely must be away from direct sunlight.)
4) If you want to change the water, have fresh water wait for at least 24 hours in another container then gently transfer the new water.
5) To prevent the goldfish from feeling lonely and frightened, always use more than one fish, preferably two.
6) Have a plan to release the fish safely after Nowruz celebration.
Some family members, relatives, and friends are accepting not having a goldfish at their Haft Sin table for the first time. Several family members and friends have difficulty accepting it that is why I am writing to seek your help.
The Center for Animal Lovers in Iran promotes kindness not only to a goldfish but to all animals. Happy Nowruz.
h/t to M. Ala
The following is taken from the Associated Press’ Stylebook, which is a style and usage guide used on newspapers and in journalism classes in the United States.
Use this long established name for the body of water off the southern coast of Iran. Some Arab nations call it Arabian gulf. Use Arabian Gulf only in direct quotations and explain in the text that the body of water is more commonly known as the Persian Gulf.
h/t to Tehran Bureau


