Bijan Rohanji, born to an American mother and an Iranian father in the United States, identifies as a Gilaki, emphasizing his Iranian roots despite living in New Jersey. He recalls how people would ask about his origins upon hearing his name, and his mother insisted on giving him and his siblings Iranian names. Bijan did not speak Persian and struggled to connect with his Iranian relatives due to language barriers. After studying photography and traveling through Europe, he decided to spend a year in Iran in 2011 to learn Persian and connect with his family. However, he faced challenges with military service exemptions and ended up staying in Iran for two and a half years, during which he taught English and traveled extensively, capturing over 26,000 photographs. His experiences led to a book titled 'Becoming Iranian,' which he believes should be published now amidst discussions about Iran's relationship with the West. He initiated a crowdfunding campaign to finance the book's publication, hoping it can contribute to dialogue between the two countries.
From New Jersey to Gilan; 'Becoming Iranian'
Bijan Rohanji, an Iranian-American, shares his journey of identity and connection to Iran through photography. After spending two and a half years in Iran, he plans to publish a book titled 'Becoming Iranian' to explore his experiences and cultural identity. This book aims to foster dialogue between Iran and the West amidst changing political dynamics.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Bijan Rohanji shares his experiences of connecting with his Iranian heritage through a photography project and plans to publish a book titled 'Becoming Iranian'. This book aims to foster dialogue between Iran and the West.
- Rohanji spent two and a half years in Iran, teaching English and capturing over 26,000 photographs.
- He initiated a crowdfunding campaign to publish his book amidst ongoing discussions about Iran's relationship with the West.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a rich cultural heritage and a significant diaspora, with many individuals grappling with their identities in relation to their homeland.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%