About Ronak Association
A Program in Iranian Studies, History, and Literature in Diaspora
Launch of Ronak Association (2019)
In May 2019, with two friends, Dr. Hamed Kazemzadeh and Dr. Nima Orazani, we launched a program in Iranian Studies, Iranian history, and social psychology for Ottawa’s Iranian community at the University of Ottawa. The program was initially designed to explore the cultural and historical complexities of Iranian society, fostering a deeper understanding of Iran’s rich heritage and modern societal dynamics. Meetings were held weekly for a year with the Iranian Students Association, featuring lectures, films, and guest scholars.
Moving Online and Expanding to Global Academic Programs
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we moved programs online and worked with colleagues at McGill University in Montreal. Later, Ronak Association continued to host global online programs on Clubhouse. Since then, the sessions have focused on literature, linguistics, travelogues, literary history, mythology, and ancient texts. The online sessions are structured to include a combination of lectures, interactive discussions, and Q&A segments to foster engagement and provide an academic rigor that encourages active participation from all attendees. The list of travelogues and source books is available on our website and in our podcast.
Developing New Approaches to Teaching Persian Worldwide
Drawing on over two decades of language-teaching experience, I began developing a new idea for teaching Persian to non-Persian speakers and second-generation learners, with the aim of identifying the global challenges in teaching Persian/Farsi. The Teaching Persian as a Heritage Language Worldwide Podcast explores the challenges this language faces and provides insights into effective methods for language retention and pragmatic use.
Overview of Ronak Association's Activities and Projects
The website features all completed and ongoing activities, including: the Winding Road podcast, a podcast on teaching Persian worldwide, ancient narratives/mythology, and the history of Iranian literature.
Request for Feedback and Guidance
I would appreciate your critical review of the website, the shared content, and the podcasts. Please provide me with your feedback and guidance to help improve the project.
Support Our Mission
Ronak Association is dedicated to preserving the Persian language, sharing cultural heritage, and connecting communities worldwide. Your support helps us create educational resources, publish research, and keep our podcasts and lectures accessible for everyone.