MEET OUR FOURTH INTERVIEWEE FROM IRAN!

Her name is Ghazal Kashi (not to be confused with our second interviewee, Ghazaleh Kashi, whose name looks quite similar to hers—and who, incidentally, shares the same parents!) Ghazal and her husband Saeed live in the tiny Iranian town known as Nimvar—a place famous for its history with Zoroastrianism, the ancient Persian religion preceding Islam.
 
Like the three interviewees who preceded her (see posts from 6/16, 8/16, and 9/14), Ghazal talks about one aspect of contemporary Iranian culture, as well as about her current life, interests, memories, and aspirations. My interview with Ghazal (21 minutes) took place a month or so before the start of Iran’s upheaval, peopled by many of her generation (i.e., ages 30 and under).
 
You will learn from Ghazal that she is an aficionada of all kinds of art: both abstract and natural/realistic. For today’s interview, she has chosen a favorite abstract painting of her own to share with us (See below) and explain its significance. The title of the piece, “Miss P’s Life Like Sisyphus,” is inspired by the character Sisyphus from Greek mythology, who for his trickery and defiance was doomed by the gods to roll a huge boulder up a hill, let it roll back down, and repeat the cycle forever and ever.  
 
Before listening to her commentary on her abstract painting, you may want to take a minute to study it below. (She will refer to 3 female figures. Can you find any of them?)

After commenting on her art piece, Ghazal will talk about one of my favorite things in Iranian culture: Persian food! (Mmmm …!) If her recommendations pique your interests, just follow the links in the final paragraph to find the recipe(s) of your choice.

​Words to the song, translated: “Now, take my hand, let’s move on up …”

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Ghazal expresses her thanks for your attention and interest! If after the interview you have any questions or comments for her, please feel free to enter them in the “Comments” section that follows the video. Afterwards, why not try making *celery stew or **rice with tahdig when you have a free afternoon?*
 
  *Traditionally, this stew is made with lamb stew meat rather than beef stew
    meat, so take your pick! Also, lemon juice (i.e., juice squeezed from half a
    lemon) can be used in place of the Persian dried limes listed in the recipe.
 
**This rice recipe can be made successfully with or without the saffron, with or
    without the yogurt.

Ghazal, we also thank you [Kheilee mamnoon] for being the fourth person to take part in this video interview series! You will also find Ghazal’s video interview on YouTube!
(Please invite others to view as well)
 
Special thanks also go to Ms. Mary Landrum for her editing talents!