Topic of the Month - July 2007

[Admin]

Zoroastrian Congresses.

They seem to be popping up left right and centre. One was just held in Toronto, Canada. There is another coming up in in Ballarat, Australia this December 2007 (see the forums for details) and yet another in Dubai coming up as well.

What is it about these congresses that have Zoroastrians from all over flocking, even forking out lots of money (after travel, accommodation etc.) to attend them? What is about them that suddenly has you, Zoroastrian Youth, intrigued and drawn to them?

On another note, what is it about these congresses that have some turning away?

Tell us about your past and recent experiences attending a Zoroastrian Congress. What did you like most about it and what would you like to see improved in the future?

[Cyrus]

people find it easier to be friends with people who are like you... speak your language, same culture and religion...etc... which is why the congresses are fun... you get to meet people from various cities and countries and make new friends...(even find your special someone)....

The toronto congress i went to 4 yrs ago was lots of fun...esp the social events.. the actual congress was crap...and will never register for it... first off the congress fees are way to high and we dont get much in return... esp since you have to pay extra for the social events...

lets hope the next youth congress in Vancouver in 2011 will be fun and hopefully cheap....

[Rox]

Originally Posted by Cyrus

people find it easier to be friends with people who are like you... speak your language, same culture and religion...etc... which is why the congresses are fun... you get to meet people from various cities and countries and make new friends...(even find your special someone)....

The toronto congress i went to 4 yrs ago was lots of fun...esp the social events.. the actual congress was crap...and will never register for it... first off the congress fees are way to high and we dont get much in return... esp since you have to pay extra for the social events...

lets hope the next youth congress in Vancouver in 2011 will be fun and hopefully cheap....

I'm very, very new to the congress experience. Miami was my first. I did the 'buffet option' for the most recent one in TO because I couldn't commit to all the days. I actually prefer community events in small doses, anyway. The fact that I've recently dabbled in 'congressing' has, perhaps, urged me to more seriously consider attending them as they come up, but I wouldn't say I'm hooked. Sure, the commonality of religion/culture is a plus, but I've never found that it, necessarily, enhanced or enriched my commitment to my religion. My spirituality through the years has really come from family and just growing up. Then again, many of you might argue the same and instead say that it's more about the social networking. I come from a background where my 'other friends' were such a strong network for me that I never felt the need to seek it elsewhere. But in recent years, I have come to appreciate having Z friends and realize that it has filled a part of my life that I didn't think I needed.

I had a conversation about this with someone I met during the congress. He's a self-proclaimed 'congress whore' as he has attended many of them. I explained my whole process by which I went from doing no community socializing to just a bit more nowadays. He offered that he, too, has a great group of non Z friends that he's loyal to, but that he really enjoys hanging out with Zs because "...it's just a feeling you get." I guess that's the pull. But still. For me, I think it will always be in small doses.

On a slightly different tangent, what's your opinion on the 'drama' and 'microscope effect' associated with belonging to a tight-knit community? This is not exclusive to Zs. It arises in many communities (even if you think of highschool). It seems to magnify itself at congresses, though (and is partly why I steer clear).

[Roopkirani]

I agree, something really needs to be done about the escalating prices of these congresses. It's pretty much the main reason I didn't attend the congress in Toronto this year. Even at the early bird and undergraduate student rate, 250 CAD (or whatever the fee was) for essentially the gala night and a couple of coffee breaks really doesn't cut it. Yes, the info sessions were included in that price as well but info and discussion sessions like that should really be complementary in any congress.

I think it's great that organizations like FEZANA and then regional organizations are starting to offer subsidies.

I have to say though, I really was not paying attention before to the information that was being provided for the upcoming youth congress in Australia and now that I've read it, the prices that are being quoted for an EIGHT day congress are VERY reasonable, especially considering all the events that are included within that price. When I first saw the registration form I didn't bother to read past 875 AUD. Only now am I realizing what those costs actually include. Kudos to the organizers for filling up 8 days with outings and events that are sure to be hits. AND you all deserve a pat on the back for getting accommodations for attendees at the university dorms. They did that in Montreal several years ago and it was the smartest, most economical thing!

Those who are going are sure to have a great time.

[shahvir]

congresses are basically one big bender sanctioned by parents since the people you're gonna hang out with, get drunk with and very possibly hook up with are all parsi.

so they figure if it's going to happen anyways it might as well be with someone from the community. kids gets all expense paid vacations to party and sometimes there's magic. ok there's a lot of magic that happens and it's sold in nice bottles at the liquer store!

[Jimmy]

you know shahv its funny you say that.. i had a serious point to bring up but in the process of doing research to back up my point, i found some funny evidence to back up yours lol

go to www.dictionary.com and check out what the 7th definition of congress is lol

I think its a conspiracy.

[Roopkirani]

hahaha

What would be even more strange is if Wikipedia actually had an entry for "Zoroastrian Congress".

[DesertRose]

I have had many great congress experiences.

My first, and still the best one I have ever been too has been the Houston Congress. Houston was so well organized and there was so much to do that I can never stop mentioning how great that congress was. Everyone who went that I have spoken too also say pretty much the same thing.

I have also been to great ones in Chicago and Toronto.

I love meeting new Zs and getting to see old friends, and performing at the congresses is always a big bonus for me. Yes they are expensive but when I have registered I have thought it was worth it. This past Toronto congress was the first time I did not register and as soon as I got back I registered for the Australia congress because although as a youth not registering for a regular congress may be an okay approach, the youth congresses are so much fun that I would never not register for them.

[zoroangel]

For sure Vista, Houston was good. But my favourite has to be Pune!! It was the best World Youth congress that I have been to. I am really looking forward to the one in Dubai now!

[Roopkirani]

No doubt, Vista, the youth congresses have been amazing compared to the world and NA ones. I had such a great time in both Montreal and Miami.

The main reason I attend congresses is simply to mingle with other Zoroastrians my age. I agree with the "congress whore" (your words, Rox, not mine! haha) in that there's a special feeling you get when surrounded with other Zoro youth. I can't say that about any non-Zoroastrian social circle of mine.

[jdaruwala]

I think I'm the self-proclaimed Congress Whore...

[Rox]

Originally Posted by jdaruwala

I think I'm the self-proclaimed Congress Whore...

You might be A self-proclaimed congress whore, but you are not THE self-proclaimed congress whore to whom I'm referring, lol. Recall that I specified speaking with him at the Toronto congress -- you were sunning yourself without us at that time.

[Jimmy]

Just back fresh from the AU congress I have to comment on this thread.

Since I live quite a distance from what I would consider the nearest Zoroastrian community, the congress was really quite a refreshing experience for me. Sure I do have a decent sized group of Parsi friends in the tri/quad state area, and am always looking to make new ones, this is still far from a community.

Bieng Zoroastrian int the 21st century most probably means that if you are outside of Iran or India, you will face the same feeling of isolation when it comes to other Zoroastrians. We are a small population so spread out geographically that it just makes sense to go if there is a large gathering of Zoroastrians, because how often does that happen?

Why did I attend the congress? I guess it can be summed up by my very first memories of the congress:

I stepped into the international arrivals area looking for where the congress folks would be meeting up. A voice to the side of me said "Hey Dikra are you here for the congress?" (I guess I just look Z!). I saw the huge chartered bus that was to shuttle people to the congress from the airport. As I got on, and walked up the bus's stairs I immediately heard the distinct chatter of Parsi Gujurati spoken all over the place, people laughing and having fun, being rowdy in that unique way that we are. I walked down the aisle and looked around for a seat, not really knowing if i should sit next to someone, and not knowing anyone, I sat in an empty seat. A few moments later a head poked out on the side and he said "hey my name is naushad" extending his hand.. where are you from? So I went back and sat next to him and we started chatting as if we were long lost family. They then started to play sharades in the bus. But it was bollywood sharades and even though i didnt know hindi and only a limited amount of bollywood titles it was SO much fun. I even participated using the limited amount of hindi-bolloywood knowlege I had. Then they found out I didnt know hindi so they changed to english sharades for me even though i was probably the only one that didnt know hindi in the back of the bus.

As soon as I got on that bus it was a sense of community, a sense of home, or just a feeling that I got that made the whole trip worth it. When I got off the bus I just assumed that everyone back there knew each other and was from the same place because of the way they got along. I then found out that they were from all over: UAE, Bombay, Perth, US. I dont think you can get that instant type of gelling when you are with any other type of crowd.

While I know everyone may not have had this experience on the bus ride to Ballarat, this really set the tone for the next 7 days for me, and what a 7 days those were, the people really made it. From the obligatory birdie dance to getting to interact with our brothers and sisters from Iran, it was an experience that i wont soon forget. In addition to the people there was authentic parsi bhonu, a 'tradtional night' where people dressed in their tradtional outfits, religious talks, travel, and parties --unofficial and official which added an extra kick to our days and nights.

Lastly I was really presently surprised to see the amount of religious inquisitiveness that our youth have. There were two nights one impromptu and one planned where after a full dinner and a night of dancing -- battleing off sleep, the youth asked questions for a good 4.5 hours till 3am to the two resident Zoroastrian scholars. That really motivated me, and gave me hope for our future.

While the congress wasnt flawless, I like to see the glass as half full and focus on the good I did experience. Overall it was an excellent time. My only regret is that I wish I had spent more time with everyone!

I have more to say but for now ill leave it at this!