To London, to London

The Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) is gearing up to host the Eighth World Zoroastrian Congress in London, June 24 to July 1, 2005 notes their flyer. The first four days of the eight-day proceedings will be held at the Wembley Conference Centre, the following four days at the Zartoshty Brothers Hall at their New Zoroastrian Centre at Rayners Lane, Harrow.

"Zoroastrians are at something of a crossroad. There are many opportunities and threats,” reads the press release, adding, "For those opportunities to transpose into beneficial practice, we must focus on the way forward...” At Wembley the focus will be on academics, involving speakers with a degree in Avesta-Pahlavi, Zoroastrianism or Iranian studies. Discussions on the World Zarathush­ti Chamber of Commerce and the proposed World Body will be high on the agenda. Promoting the religion in the prevailing multi-faith complex of society, religious education and youth issues, the community’s history in the context of persecution in Iran and the redemption earned through the massive toil and dedication of Manekji Limji Hataria are sought to be highlighted so that the Zoroastrians of today can better appreciate their heritage. Rituals, culture, heritage and literature will be spotlighted through lectures, social, cultural and religious meetings, Gatha and Shahnameh recitals as well as via films and fiction. "Hot and spicy” contemporary issues are also on the menu on offer as is a continuation of a trend set at the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress at Houston — recognition of the commu­nity’s high achievers.

The second part of the proceedings at Harrow will, apart from the Congress program, include optional sightseeing. A prearranged viewing of the Ancient Iran Section at the British Museum and an Avesta Manuscript exhibition at the British Library are attractions that only UK can provide! Evenings of socializing with the host community over jashans and dinners will be an added attraction for a community so thinly spread over the world.

New Zoroastrian Centre (left) and old Zoroastrian House

The language at the Congress will be English although Farsi language participation and papers accepted will be translated into English. The English translation has been made mandatory at the time of submission of the paper.

Registration charges for individuals are £ 200 if effected by December 31, 2004; £ 275 if completed by March 21, 2005, £ 325 if before May 21, 2005 and £ 350 thereafter. For students having an academic identification and families comprising parents and/or children under 18 the respective rates at these deadlines are £ 200, £ 250, £ 300 and £ 350 each. The fees include prescribed lunches and dinners, registration, attendance and two gala nights with entertainment, one emphasizing the Parsi tradition, the other the Iranian. The press release notes that the numbers at the gala nights will be limited, implying that the early registrants may be the ones included. These fees do not cover additional excursions/outings.

The Setayesh Gah at Zoroastrian House, Compayne Gardens

Correspondence regarding registration must be directed to Ms Daulat Kapadia, Congress Registrar, 1 Knighton Close, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 6DP, UK. E-mail: registration. congress005@ ztfe.com

The ZTFE’s call for papers is accompanied by a prescribed timetable. Participants are required to submit the title of their piece indicating the subject area, a 101-word synopsis and 1,001-word draft manuscript outlining their proposed paper by December 31, 2004. They may expect to be notified if their piece is acceptable by January 31, 2005. A revised manuscript must reach the organizing committee by March 21, 2005 to enable it to review the paper and forward its comments to the authors by April 10. The final papers must reach ZTFE by May 10, 2005. The "papers should be novel, challenging and must reflect the past, current as well as future trends and practices in all respects of Zoroastrian social, cultural, educational and religious lives,” stipulates the press release, adding, "Critical issues relating to the challenges we face and the way forward will be addressed in a manner that will be interactive, allowing selective involvement of participants... This should permit both a maximalist and a minimalist approach with the emphasis on subject relevance.”

All correspondence regarding papers must be addressed to Malcolm Deboo, Information Officer and Librarian, ZTFE, Zoroastrian House, 88 Compayne Gardens, London, NW6 3RU, UK. E-mail: papers.congress005@ztfe.com

The ZTFE is said to be arranging for comfortable budget priced hotel accommodation for the delegates around the Wembley Conference Centre. A list of hotels in the vicinity offering discounted rates will be available on request from the Congress office. After the Wembley events, accommodation with host families in accord with traditional Zoroastrian hospitality can be arranged on request.

The write-up promises that "this first Congress of the 21st century will help (the community) gain perspective and assist in creating a better future, not only for ourselves but for generations to come.”