Essay: Copyright: To Be or Not to Be

Copyright, literally the right to copy an original creation, is a set of legal rights controlling the use of a production, an idea, or information (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/copyright). At first glance, it seems that copyright is as worthy as women's rights to struggle for achieving! But in another view, it is limiting to struggle for preventing! Thus, copyright is a coin with tow sides and it has its own pros and cons.


The advantages of copyright can be regarded as economical and social. It is economically beneficial because by reserving the rights of a producer, there would be no black markets, no dealers, and no bankruptcies at the end! In my opinion, the social aspects of copyright are even more valuable. As an explanation, the temptation of plagiarism would be eradicated and the moral values of the society would have a chance to blossom again. Moreover, people can always use the highest quality of goods, products, services, and even thoughts!


Copyright has some disadvantages that frankly can not be denied. For instance, it limits the availability of the products. The users can not easily have the craving for copyright productions. In addition, they must pay more and also they must spend more time asking various kinds of permission.


I think that the scale of copyright's advantages is heavier than its scale of disadvantages. Though copyright's disadvantages limit the users, its advantages value the producer. If the users put themselves in the producers' shoes, they would dedicate copyright with the highest regards to them who have worked, endeavored, and sweated to obtain their own achievements. It should not be forgotten that maybe the user of today will be the producer of tomorrow!!!


In the hope of becoming the producers of tomorrow, the users should cope with copyright to have its advantages in the near future. I believe that being a producer just for one time is enough to convince the user to accept copyright heartily. So, the best way to persuade the copyright's opponents is to make them produce something (even like writing such an essay) to take its advantages by themselves. When they experience copyright in this way, definitely they let it be!





By Parisa Mehran

Essay: The Azeri Custom of Naming a Newborn Baby

Azeri people have a lot of customs and if one wants to mention all of them, probably a book may be written! Thus, it is somehow difficult to choose one of these traditions as my favorite. But the custom of "naming a newborn baby" is my preferred because of not only the interesting ceremonies that Azeri people hold, but also the sweetness of a baby him/herself.



This tradition is held when the baby is seven-days old. The members of the family and invited people come together in the evening. First, seven of the oldest people sit on the ground, side by side, from youngest to the eldest, and the baby is passed on from the seventh person (youngest) to the first one (the oldest). The last person says the izan (call to prayer in Arabic words) to the baby and then calls the baby's name, chosen in advance, near his/her ear. From this moment, the baby is called by his/her name. Second, the mother of the child lights two candles which are kept from her wedding ceremony to be lit in such a day. This action symbolizes the firmness of the marriage. Then, the baby's eyebrows are made up heavily representing beauty and good fortune for the baby. After passing these phases, it is time to dance, rejoice, and eat dinner. As the last part of this custom, the gifts, brought by the guests to the baby, are opened with singing a special Azeri poem. People gradually say goodbye to the baby and the parents, wishing them the best.

By Parisa Mehran

Essay: The Adventurous Repair of the Television

It was afternoon, strangely still and silent as if the world had come to its end for me as a six-year-old girl. Our television broke down and I had missed all the cartoons shown in the morning. I could not even think about missing them again in the evening. I squatted near the TV and stared at the screen regretfully. I could only see the reflection of my sparkling eyes flickering like little dim stars in the dark depth of the sky. I started making faces at the screen in the hope of receiving a response, but they were useless. I got completely disappointed in convincing the telly to work. I had to do something, so I tried to use the gray cells of my little brain and consequently I decided to repair the TV by myself (certainly I had overused my gray cells)!

At the beginning, I looked around carefully. I found my dad snoring and my mom working in the kitchen. I took a deep breath and engaged in repairing the television just like an expert. First, I pressed all the buttons of the TV one after the other; nothing happened. Then I started punching and kicking with all my strength at the poor telly; there was no difference. Finally I decided to check out the wires behind the TV set. I bent and strongly pulled one of the wires and then I was just streaming from the end of my lungs!!! The television set had fallen down; because, one of the cracked wheels of its table broke due to pulling the wire. I had been mashed like a potato and the drips of blood were streaming down my face! My mom and dad worriedly rushed to see what happened. As soon as they arrived, I stopped screaming and crying!!! Being under television, I was carefully listening to the sound of my favorite cartoon "Tom and Jerry." I just wanted to get rid of the TV on my head and watch my masterpiece even with the broken head that was similar to Tom's after being beaten by Jerry's pan!

By Parisa Mehran

Essay: Iranian Customs

The customs of Iran can be divided into pre-Islamic and Islamic customs. Pre-Islamic customs, rooted in the traditions of the Zoroastrians of the Sassanian period, include the night of Yalda (shebe yalda), New Year (Noruz), the night before the last Wednesday of the year (charshanbe suri), the thirteenth day of the New Year (sizdeh bedar), the seven "S"s' table (haft sin), etc.

The Night of Yalda: It is celebrated in the eve of the first day of the winter. It is the longest night of the year. Yalda originally means "birth" referring to the beginning of the winter.Iranian families come together to enjoy this special night. They eat watermelon, special nuts belonging to Yalda's night, and pomegranates. Also, they read Ferdosi's Shahnameh and the poems of Hafez.
They focus on their wishes in their minds and open the Hafez book to get their answers from the poem (this action is called "fal"). They try to stay awake at this night to enjoy more the beauties of Yalda's night.



Noruz: In the Persian language, Noruz literally means "new day". It is the celebration of the coming of spring and considered as the Iranian New Year. There are many customs inside Noruz itself that you can read below.

The last Wednesday of the Year: On the eve of the Wednesday before Noruz, the Iranians celebrate this night called Charshanbe (Wednesday) Suri (meaning red) or in the other words the red Wednesday. People set fires, jump over them and chant: "Sorkhi-e to az man, Zardi-e man az to" literally meaning that "your fiery red color is mine and my sickly yellow paleness is yours."
This chant implies that the Iranians want the fire to take their paleness, sickness and problems and in turn give them redness, warmth and energy for starting another new year. Another custom of this night is "Ghashogh Zani" meaning spoon banging. As an explanation, children bang on the pots with spoons, knock at the doors to take some nuts from the neighbors (it is so similar to Halloween). This night has its own nuts and also a special soup called Ash-e Charshanbe Suri. In different cities of Iran, there are many other regional customs for this night. For example, my husband is Azeri and his home town is Ardebil, in the north-west of Iran; people of this city celebrate this night by eating an especial food called "Suti Polo" (milky rice). This food contains rice cooking with milk and it is served with smoked fish. Any way, all the Iranians try to have the best Charshanbe Suri in each year with their special customs.

Spring Cleaning: The first step in preparing for Noruz is Khaneh-Tekani (literally meaning the shaking of the house). Every place in the house must be cleaned and organized perfectly. For instance, Azeri people believe that at the moment which the year becomes new, if you have some clothes on the clothesline, you will have a messy year! Moreover, the burning of wild rue, which is called "esfand", is practiced to keep evil spirits away and provide a nice aroma in the house. The cleaning is not only for the houses, but also for people by buying new clothes for themselves. Everything must be new, even the hearts; people clean their memories and throw away all the evil ones. They try to rebuild the relationships with their relatives and friends (also ones who have had problems with them in the previous year) by going to their houses to congratulate the New Year.

The Seven "S"s' Table: Sofreh-e Haft sin is the major tradition of Noruz. Iranians prepare a table or sofreh (a plastic sheet used as a tablecloth on the ground) with a variety of things. Below is the list of the elements of Haft Sin and the description of the symbolism that each element has.



Scriptures (Koran, Bible, Torah, Avesta or other Scriptures, or Poetry depending on beliefs): It symbolizes blessings and faith in the New Year. You can also place a Divan-e Hafez or other book of faith and knowledge.

Sabzeh (spring sprouts): It is made from wheat or lentil signifying rebirth and renewal.

Senjed (a sweet, dry fruit of a lotus tree): The fragrant and blooming lotus tree makes people fall in love so it is natural that its fruit would signify love and affection.

Sib (apple): A big red apple represents health and beauty.

Samanu (wheat pudding): Wheat and wheat products signify sweetness and fertility.

Serkeh (vinegar): White Vinegar signifies age and patience.

Somagh (crushed sumac berries): This S symbolizes the spice of life. Some say Somagh represents the color of the sunrise and with the sun all evil is conquered.

Seer (garlic): This medicinal S is a sign of good health.

Sekkeh (gold coins): It signifies wealth and prosperity

Sonbol (hyacinth fower): Purple or pink hyacinth are common on the Sofreh and also represent life and beauty.

Sangak (flatbread): Noon-e Sangak represents prosperity for the feasts. It can be accompanied by Naan-o Panir, which is Iranian feta cheese and fresh herbs to be eaten at the feast.

Sohan Asali (honey almonds): It is a sweet honey candy made with pistachios.

Mahi (fish): Fish in a clear white bowl represents life and the end of the astral year associated with the constellation Pisces.

Ayneh (mirror): It brings light & brightness into the New Year.

Sha'am (candle): Large or small candles can be used and symbolize fire & energy.

Tokhm-e Morgh (decorated eggs): It symbolizes fertility. Eggs are painted by children much like Easter eggs are painted.

Ajil (nuts): It can be roasted pistachios, walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts.

Shirini (sweets & pastries): It includes Noghl, Baaghlavaa, Toot, Noon-e Berenji, Noon-e Nokhodchi and any other sweets you prefer.

Esfand (wild rue): A brazier "Manghal" holds burning coals sprinkled with "Esfand" popular incense. It keeps the evil eye away and brings on health.



At the moment of New Year, the members of the family come together around the Haft Sin's Sofreh or table, read the holy books (e.g. Koran), and pray for having a good year. This table or Sofreh will be kept with all its elements until the thirteenth day of the New Year.

New Year Dishes:
Sabzi Polo Mahi: The New Year's Day traditional meal is called Sabzi Polo Mahi, which is rice mixed with green herbs served with fish.


Kuku Sabzi: a kind of fluffy cutlet made of special vegetables.
Reshteh Polo: rice cooked with noodles, which is believed to symbolically help one succeed in life.

Dolme Barg: A traditional dish of Azeri people, cooked just before the New Year.
At the moment of the New Year, this dish must be on the oven boiling very slowly; otherwise, it will lose its effect leading to the reaching of wishes! It includes some vegetables, meat and cotyledon which have been cooked and embedded in vine leaf and cooked again.





The Thirteenth Day of the New Year: This day is named "the day of nature." On the thirteenth day of the New Year, people go out and have a picnic outside the home.

Because it is believed that being at home on this day brings a bad omen. People wish for something and then tie grasses of their Sabzehs in the hope of reaching their desires. Usually they throw away Sabzehs in the streaming rivers. At the end of this day, the haft sin is cleared away until the next New Year.







The Iranian Troubadours: The traditional herald of the Noruz is called Haji Firuz. He symbolizes the rebirth of the Sumerian god of sacrifice, Domuzi, who was killed at the end of each year and reborn at the beginning of the New Year.
Haji Firuz makes people laugh. He dances and chants with his tambourine and trumpet in the streets. He has a black make up on his face and usually wears a red costume. Another troubadour is Amoo (uncle) Noruz who is the responsible for giving gifts to the children like Santa Claus and he is able to grant the wishes of them.


Taken from

Essay: Iranian Art

Frankly, I don't really know from where I shall start to tell about the Iranian art because of the variety of the subjects in this field. I can just hint at some prominent ones in the general way.

Iranian architecture can be categorized into pre-Islamic (e.g. Perspolis) and post-Islamic (e.g. Ali Qapu). Iranian architects have always been the center of attention because of the skill and delicacy of their works. So, Persian architecture has spread to the outside of Iran (e.g. Soltaniyeh Dome in Samarghand). Moreover, Persian gardens (e.g. Eram Garden in Shiraz), with their traditional styles of garden design, which originated in Persia, have influenced the design of gardens throughout the larger region (e.g. Taj Mahal in India).



Iranian pottery presents a continuous history from the beginning of the Iranian history until the present day. Because of the special geographical position of Iran, being at the crossroads of ancient civilizations and on important caravan routes, almost every part of Iran was involved in pottery making.









Iranian painting has several branches. Tow main types of it can be regarded as "miniature" and "Qahveh Khanehei" Painting (Tea House style of painting). Miniatures are mostly related to the Persian mythology (e.g. Shahnameh Ferdosi's stories) and poetry. They are famous due to their absorbing complexity and delicacy which drown the viewer in the beauty of art. Qahveh Kanehei paintings, divided in to religious, epic, feast and amorous paintings, belong to tea houses with their special atmospheres (e.g. when the narrator tells the stories of Shahnameh in a traditional way).

Iranian carpet is an essential part of Iranian art.
Carpet-weaving dates back to the ancient Persia. Iranian carpets are categorized in to three main types: Farsh/Qali (carpet), Qalicheh (rug), and Gelim (rough carpet including Zilu). Again, the delicate design of Iranian carpets makes them distinguished from the others. I should explain that some Iranian carpets and rugs are too precious, so they are framed and used as decorations (they are called "tablo farsh" meaning framed carpets). As an example, this carpet, named "The History of 2500 Years of Iran", is a kind of precious carpet because of its unique design. It includes all the kings of Iran from Great Kurosh until Mohamad Reza shah (111 persons);moreover, there are four historical events in the middle of the carpet: the war between Alb Arsalan with Romans, the war of shah Abbas with Ottomans, the asking of help of Homayun from Tahmasbe Safavi, and Ferdosi writing the Shahnameh. There is also the coin of each era on the edges. It is made of 80% silk and 20% soft wool and 288 colors are used to weave this carpet.
Below pictures are good examples of framed carpets which their designs belong to miniature artist Mahmoud Farshchian.

Taken from

Introduction: About My University

Alzahra University, allocated to the women, is located in Dehe Vanak of Tehran. Vanak literally means "coldness", so you can imagine how fresh this area is (because it has still kept its bracing essence). It has different faculties such as art, psychology, literature, languages and history, sciences, theology and etc. I have heard that Alzahra University has the most complete and equipped chemistry laboratory at Tehran among the other universities. At my faculty, we also have language labs to improve our English.

By Parisa Mehran

Introduction: Where I Live...

Tehran, the capital of Iran, is my hometown. There are some theories about the meaning of "Tehran" itself; it is believed that "Tehran" comes from the Persian words "Tah" meaning "end or bottom" and "Ran" meaning "mountain slope", or it means "a warm place", as opposed to "a cool place" (e.g. Shemiran-a cooler district in northern Tehran). Nowadays, Tehran has been modernized and this modernization has led to a big difference between the old Tehran and the modern one. It has become so crowded creating some problems (especially the traffic) which are going to be solved by the policies of the government (like the development of the Tehran metro system).

However, still it can be found a healthy and pleasant climate such as near my house (Darabad area located in the North of Tehran). This picture is the view from my kitchen!

By Parisa Mehran