Seattle Iranian Festival

OVERVIEW

Seattle Center Festál presents Seattle Iranian Festival in partnership with Iranian American Community Alliance (IACA). The festival brings together Iranians, Iranian-Americans, non-Iranians in celebration of the culture with poetry, music, food, tea, comedy, and more.

The Seattle Iranian Festival not only showcases the richness of Iranian traditions but also encourages dialogue and connection among diverse audiences, making it a cherished event to celebrate in the heart of Seattle.

HISTORY

In 2007, the Iranian community joined hand-in-hand with the board members of the Iranian American Community Alliance (IACA) to organize an event that has now become the annual Seattle Iranian Festival. IACA, as an organization, came from founder, Ali Ghambari, who imagined a better future for the Iranian community here in the greater Seattle area. How can generations of Iranian and Iranian Americans remain connected to their roots and maintain their heritage while also ensuring that not only their children do the same, but also their grandchildren and every generation thereafter? This is why IACA was born in 2025, to not only bridge the gap between the Iranian and the American communities in our region but also create an established organization dedicated to celebrating both Iranian culture and the local Iranian American community for generations to come. IACA has remained a well-established grassroots organization dedicated to organizing its largest event of the year, the Seattle Iranian Festival, while supporting other organizations and events. The Iranian American Community Alliance (IACA) is a Seattle-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit, community organization focused on cultural and educational programs, like the Seattle Iranian Festival, and youth and leadership development through mentorship and service.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Iran is one of the oldest nations in the world, with a history dating back tens of thousands of years dating back to 4000 B.C. The country's first great city, Susa, was built on the central plateau around 3200 B.C.
• 534 BCE - Cyrus the Great, King of Persia, declared what is considered the world’s first charter of human rights.
• At its peak, the Persian Empire stretched from the Balkan Peninsula in Europe to the Indus River Valley in modern-day Pakistan, encompassing regions like Egypt in the south and reaching parts of modern-day Turkey in the west, effectively spanning from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian subcontinent
• Persian (Farsi) is the official language of Iran. However, other languages are spoken throughout the country, including Turkic, Kurdish, Gilaki, and Arabic.
• Iran is home to many ethnic groups with Persians as the largest ethnic group (60-70%) followed by Azeri (16%), Kurd (10%), Lur (6%), Baloch (2%), Arab (2%), Turkmen and Turkic tribes (2%), and other (1%).
• Iran is the most populous country in the Middle East with about 90 million people of different backgrounds and faiths. Despite Iran's Islamic Republic government practices and misconceptions that all Iranians are conservative Muslims, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Zoroastrians and Bahai's all live in Iran while many who live in Iran do not follow any organized religion at all.
• Iranians were pioneer carpet weavers of the ancient world.
• Prior to 1935, Iran was called Persia.
• Approximately 70% of Iran's population is under the age of 30.
• Iran is one of the world's largest producers of caviar, pistachios, and saffron.
• The most popular sport in Iran is soccer. The national team also known as Team Melli, has won the Asian Cup three times and played in three World Cup Final competitions.
• Polo was played in Iran as early as the 6th Century B.C., mainly as training for the cavalry.
• Gardens permeate Iranian culture & history.
• Iranians invented practical windmills around 500-900 A.D., used to grind grain or draw up water.
• The Postal Service was invented in Ancient Persia around 550 B.C. by Cyrus the Great.