A pearl for FEZANA

"In 2017, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) will celebrate 30 years of its founding. To mark the occasion, FEZANA announces a competition to design a logo for the organization,” notes an announcement forwarded by FEZANA vice president arZan Wadia. Open to citizens of any country, the contest that opened on November 1, 2016 will close at midnight February 28, 2017 US Pacific Standard Time.
"The logo should have a Zoroastrian theme and reflect FEZANA’s mission. It may reflect any aspect of Zoroastrian religion, culture, architecture, iconography, social custom, tradition, philosophy, etc that the artist chooses,” as per the guidelines.
The winner(s) will be selected and announced at the unveiling of the logo at FEZANA 30th anniversary gala in Houston on April 29, 2017. The prize for the winning entry is US $ 501. All entries must be submitted electronically to FEZANA by email at logo@fezana.org For any inquiries, refer to their website: https://fezana.org/logodesign or contact Wadia by email at vp@fezana.org

(Left) choir singing We are FEZANA; (right) lagan nu bhonu Photos: Ken Weber

FEZANA’s 30th anniversary celebrations were flagged off at the Arbab Rustom Guiv Darbe Mehr in Chicago on November 5, 2016, the same venue where the FEZANA constitution was drafted by representatives of different associations. The evening program included a welcome by Rayomand Ravji, president of the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ZAC); benediction by the priests; a hilarious skit on the founding of FEZANA directed by Aban Daboo; cutting of Roshan Rivetna’s three-tier marzipan cake with the blessings of five former FEZANA presidents Rohinton Rivetna, Dolly Dastoor, Firdosh Mehta, Bomi Patel, Katayun Kapadia with current president Homi Gandhi; and the singing of We are FEZANA by the juniors and seniors under the baton of Farobag Cooper. The lyrics of the song were: "We are FEZANA/ We are Zarathushtis/ We join together and make a brighter day/ For our community./ It’s a choice we're making/ We do it everyday/ It’s true, we make a better life by doing good.”
The largesse of community benefactors and volunteers saw champagne toasts followed by traditional lagan nu bhonu with the menu including kababs, samosas, chip and dip, rotli, wafers, achar, lagan nu custard, kanda kothmir per eeda, kolmi no saas, sali murghi, pulav dal and mango kulfi. The evening ended with post dinner magic and mind reading performances.
Nearly 125 individuals including around 30 from other cities partook of the dinner priced at $ 100 per person. The contributions were meant to raise funds for the Infrastructure Funds of FEZANA and ZAC, with 70% of the donation constituting an eligible tax deduction, specified the organizers. The events for the day were planned by Roshni Kharoliwala, Rohinton and Roshan Rivetna, Dinaz Weber and Hosi Mehta.
Presently serving as the coordinating body for 26 Zoroastrian member associations and 15 corresponding groups throughout North America, when its constitution was signed in May 1986 community leaders sought to promote "cohesion, foundation and infrastructure to unify established and fledgling Zoroastrian communities across the United States and Canada,” states the FEZANA website. Whilst FEZANA was formed in 1987, ZAC was established 12 years prior.
"Over the last 30 years FEZANA has broadened its role and continues to build hamazori or collaboration with other Zoroastrian and non-Zoroastrian organizations worldwide.
Founder president Rohinton Rivetna was quoted on the FEZANA website: "As we celebrate our 30-year anniversary, it’s in our interest to be mindful of FEZANA’s founding goal, to draw upon the very best talents and resources among Zarathushtis in North America, and to coordinate and channel this potential productively to strengthen the community and perpetuate the religion.”