The lives of Jews and Muslims, inextricably intertwined in pre-revolutionary Iran and in Southern California—home to the largest population of Iranians outside Tehran—will be the subject of a literary encounter. Novelist Gina B. Nahai, author of Caspian Rain, along with film, television and stage actor Bahar Soomekh (“Crash”) and Dr. Nasrin Rahimieh, director of the Samuel M. Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture at UC Irvine, will engage in a lively public conversation, and offer dramatic readings from Nahai’s novel—a stirring lyrical tale that offers American readers a unique insight into Iranian culture.

In the decade before the Iranian Revolution, Iran is a country at the brink of explosion. 12-year-old Yaas is born into an already divided family: Her father is the son of wealthy Iranian Jews who are integrated into the country’s upper-class, mostly Muslim, elite; her mother was raised in the slums of South Tehran, one street away from the old Jewish ghetto. Yaas spends her childhood navigating the many layers of Iranian society. Her task, already difficult, becomes all the more critical when her father falls in love with a beautiful woman from a noble Muslim family.
At once a cultural exploration of an as-yet unfamiliar society, and a psychological study of the effects of loss, Caspian Rain takes the reader into the tragic and fascinating world of a brave young girl struggling against impossible odds. Writes Ms. Magazine, “Nahai’s alluring poetic style draws us into the lives of her female characters…captivating prose…a powerful testament to Iranian women’s fight against oppression.” Novelist Chris Abani notes, “…witty, elegiac, sophisticated and edgy…Caspian Rain is a beautiful book.” During “Crossroads of Culture,” audience members will have an opportunity to hear Bahar Soomekh perform a dramatic reading from Caspian Rain, and author Gina Nahai will also read selections from the novel. Nasrin Rahimieh will moderate a public conversation that will not only take into account the stories in Caspian Rain, but examine how Iranian Jews and Muslims relate many years later, here, in Southern California, where both communities often live side by side and have become firmly established in “Tehrangeles.”

Among topics of discussion will be the evolving role of Iranian women—in Iran and abroad—from the mid-20th century till today, and how that is reflected in Gina Nahai's novels, especially Caspian Rain. Bahar Soomekh is of the generation that was born and raised, or raised in the States; Gina Nahai is of the in-between generation. How do they see the changes? Is there a difference between Iranian Jewish women and Iranian Muslim women in this regard? How are things different for women from other parts of the Middle East?

Presented by Levantine Cultural Center (levantinecenter.org) and LACMA’s Art of the Middle East Department (lacma.org), with support from Poets & Writers (pw.org), “Crossroads of Culture” takes place at LACMA’s Bing Auditorium, January 24, 2008, at 7 pm and is free to the public. Advance reservations are required: 310.657.5511.
Gina Nahai, Bahar Soomekh, Nasrin Rahimieh and Levantine Cultural Center’s artistic director, Jordan Elgrably, are available for interviews. 

JANUARY 24, 2008 7pm