Preserve, protect, perfect

"Ten years ago, at the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress, Zarathushtis from all over the world gathered in Houston to celebrate our heritage — our odyssey. Now we invite Zarathushtis to visit us to rekindle our common bonds,” noted a flyer announcing the 15th North American Zarathushti Congress (NAZC) in Houston from December 29, 2010 to January 1, 2011 distributed at the Ninth World Zoroastrian Congress (9WZC) in Dubai. The theme selected for the Congress is "Preserve the Past, Protect the Present, and Perfect the Future.”

The highlights of the Congress to be hosted by the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) will be special educational and interactive sessions for the youth and seniors as also on religion, culture and business. Merchandise booths, a grand jashan, FEZANA (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America) Awards Luncheon, New Year’s eve gala banquet and entertainment in the form of dance, music, cultural performances and a Parsi Gujarati natak (play) are expected to draw delegates too.

Those who register by June 30, 2010 qualify for early bird rates: $ 150 if aged under 16 (accompanied by an adult), $ 225 for 16-30, $ 250 for 31-65 and $ 225 for 66 and above. For those who register between July 1 and October 31, regular rates will be applicable: $ 175 for those under 16, $ 250 for 16-30, $ 275 for 31-65 and $ 250 for 66 and above. From November 1 to December 24 the late rates will be $ 225 for those under 16, $ 275 for 16-30, $ 325 for 31-65 and $ 275 for 66 and above. After December 24 a standard rate of $ 500 will be applicable to every age group. The registration package includes two daily coffee breaks, two lunches (December 29 and 30) and two dinners (December 29 and 31).

The venue of the NAZC is Intercontinental Hotel, located in the chic uptown Galleria area. Those who wish to stay at the Hotel can avail of the negotiated rate of $ 89 plus tax for up to four-person occupancy. Further details regarding the Congress can be obtained from their website zah.org/nazc-10 or from Arnavaz Sethna on e-mail, asethna@comcast.net

"ZAH is the proud owner of the Zarathushti Heritage and Cultural Center that many children refer to as their second home,” mentions the flyer, adding, "Now ZAH has become home to the FEZANA Information Research and Education Systems (FIRES), the largest Zarathushti library in North America” that boasts a centralized collection of Zarathushti books, manuscripts, literature, magazines and scholarly research. Besides organizing many social and literary events throughout the year, ZAH also shares knowledge on the community’s history and traditions through their Sunday school classes, youth group activities and library lecture series.

Located in Houston are several world class museums like The Rothko Chapel, Contemporary Arts Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts, The Jung Center, The Houston Museum of Natural Science and The Children’s Museum. In this city too is housed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of USA and the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical facility in the world, the community is informed.

Even whilst efforts are on to make a success of the 15th NAZC, comes the news by way of a bookmark distributed at the 9WZC that the 16th NAZC will be held in New York from August 1-5, 2012 to pursue "thought provoking discussion on Zarathushti existence in the contemporary world.”