TEHRANGELES

 

 

 

Tehrangeles is a portmanteau (1) deriving from the combination or Tehran (2) the capital of Iran (3), and Los angels (4). It is used when referring to the large number (estimates range from 700,000 to 800,000) of former Persians and their descendants residing in the Los Angeles metropolitan area; it is the largest such population outside of Iran. In common usage, it usually refers to the proportionally larger Persian Americans subset of Iranian immigrants, many of whom are second-generation citizens. 

 

 Click to watch the video- link below :

Celebrating IRAN vs. USA in Tehrangeles 

 

This area is now officially recognized by the City of Los Angeles as "Persian Square"(5). The Persian community in the L.A. area originally centred in the West- wood (6)neighbourhood of west Los Angeles, particularly Westwood Boulevard between Pico Boulevard and the UCLA (7)campus, often referred to as Little Persia or Persian Hills/Persian Square. It is between Beverly Hills(8) and west Los- Angeles(9) . Immigration to the area increased several-fold due to the events surrounding the 1979 Iranian revolution (10). Westwood Boulevard became known for its many Persian shops (15) and restaurants; and the Persian expatriate community of Los Angeles entered all forms of media including magazines, newspapers, and radio and television stations.

Los Angeles' Persian population — the nation's highest concentration Persian American community — is representative of all of Iran's religious groups. Noticeably, the majority of Jewish Iranians (11) in the world, after Israel, reside in Los Angeles. Persian Jews make up a large percentage, if not the majority, of Persians in Los Angeles. They maintain a presence in many upscale neighbourhoods. The famous Beverly Hills has a clear Jewish majority among its Persian community (12), and is the location of a large Farsi-speaking synagogue (Nessah Synagogue). The L.A.-adjacent Orange County (13) is home to predominantly Muslim Persians. Glendale, California's Persian American population is mostly Armenian Christian (14). They are reflecting the diversity of the community.

Mr. Bijan Khalil- the owner of sherkat e ketab (book store)(16)- who is one of the first Persian business man in L.A. said,” Persian community always looks for a good area to live, maybe it is the reason why chose west Los Angeles as one of the best part of Los Angeles and near to UCLA. In 1978, Westwood was one of the main Persian destinations and there were only two Persian Stores, one grocery and one Attary (17) Sandwiches, which was established by Mrs. Afsar Adl in 1974”.

Tehrangeles is the biggest place of Persian Pop Music production (18). After the revolution in Iran and prohibition of music inside Iran, many singers and music producers moved to L.A.

 

 

Production needs distribution and sell. Aabas Chaman Aara the owner of Music Box (19) in Tehrangeles, that had established Beethoven Company(20) in Iran years before revolution said:” when visitors come in and see so many cassettes, CDs and videotape, they cannot believe that we have so many singers and such vast production in L.A.  

(19)

In Tehrangeles, there more than 35 Television channels and Radio stations that broadcast 24 hours a day, different programs( Entertainment, music, news, political discussions etc.) and many Iranian all around the globe receive them through internet and satellite. These programs are prohibited inside Iran and the Islamic militia use different tools like confiscating satellite dishes and sending harmful frequencies to ban people to access these programs. This televisions, Radios and especially Persian pop music are the most powerful factors that keep Persian language and Culture alive through the second and third generation of Persians outside Iran. Beside that, there are some Persian schools like Khayam (20) to help this culture and language stay fresh.

Among different Persian ceremonies that attract many Persians from different generation, nowruz (21) is the most favourite one. It is one of the main reasons, which keeps Persian Identity through the last centuries and does not let it change like the people of Egypt to Arab or pure Muslim through its long history. Nowruz ceremony starts with Char- shanbe soori(Fire Festival)(29), celebrated New Year(22)(25) and finish with Sizdah-be-dar(23)(24) ceremony.   

In Tehrangeles, there are estimably ten thousands Persian businesses (26) in very different branches that every one feels a Persian atmosphere in United States. Even one can find the unique Persian sport (27) and its Halls (28) here in Tehrangeles.

Nima N.