Exhibition euphoria

"The Everlasting Flame!” a large exhibition that will showcase the Zoroastrian religion, its history, heritage and culture will be mounted at the Brunei Gallery at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London in 2013. Three internationally renowned academic institutions — SOAS, The British Library and The British Museum — will conjointly work on this visionary and historic project that is expected to cost £ 300,000 (Rs 2,61,00,000). "This is a unique opportunity for the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) because all the work involved in mounting the exhibition will be done by top class professionals (from the three institutions). All we have to do is to contribute some funds,” notes a communiqué from ZTFE president Malcolm Deboo and external relations representative Dorab Mistry.

Confident that "the exhibition will further raise… the profile of our small but wonderful Zoroastrian community here in the UK and in Europe,” there were plans to keep admission free to all and particularly invite schools to take advantage of this learning experience. Seven years ago the exhibition "Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia” at The British Museum had attracted massive crowds and elicited extensive media interest.

(Above): Wadia mausoleum; (alongside) Wadia bungli and plaque acknowledging Jerbai Wadia’s munificence; (center) renovation in progress

"The ZTFE has come forward to raise £ 100,000 (Rs 87,00,000) and guarantee the core funding for this project so that preparations can be commenced,” mentions the appeal requesting ZTFE members and well-wishers to contribute £ 500-1,000 (Rs 43,500-87,000) per family "to make this dream project a reality.” As of end July they had already raised £ 20,000 (Rs 17,40,000) with £ 15,000 (Rs 13,05,000) being committed by the present managing committee together with trustees, past and present, and another £ 5,000 (Rs 4,35,000) being contributed following the Bahman mah, Bahman roz gahanbar. They were hoping to close the appeal by September 2012 and hand over the amount so that "preparatory work can be expedited” for the exhibits to be brought over from India, Iran and Russia.

An appeal for funds has also been issued by ZTFE to defray the expenses of £ 40,000 (Rs 34,80,000) borne by the association to refurbish their 111-year-old Wadia Bungli at Brookwood Cemetery and rebuild the roof. Originally donated by Jerbai Wadia, the Wadia Bungli was built in 1901 to conduct the last rites for deceased Parsi and Irani Zoroastrians. With contributions from members and substantial donations from the Zartoshty Brothers, extensions to the Bungli had been added in the last quarter of the 20th century. During their sesquicentennial year there were plans to refurbish the Wadia Bungli but when it was realized that the wooden rafters had totally deteriorated a new roof had to be constructed. Whilst restoring the roof, the trustees and managing committee of the ZTFE also installed powerful heaters and extractor fans, and further undertook interior decoration.