Cultural Events

Ilex Foundation sponsors a range of cultural events and projects, including visual arts, films, and lectures and visits by academic dignitaries and artists. These events and projects are sponsored in line with the Foundation's interest in cultural variation and traditions in different contexts and media. Please see the Ilex Mission for more information.

A list of events and projects sponsored by the Foundation follows, under the categories:

Films and Visual Arts
Lectures and Visits

The items in these lists appear in reverse chronological order, with upcoming and most recent events listed first. The reverse chronological order starts over at the beginning of the Lectures and Visits list lower down on this page.

Films and Visual Arts

The 15th Iranian Film Festival, MFA Houstn, January 2008.

The festival, supported by ILEX, features six new films and discussions on selected nights, led by the noted writer, Farnoosh Moshiri. Following screenings at the MFAH on January 18-20 and 25-27, the festival moves to Rice Cinema (Feb 1-2) and Aurora Picture Show (Feb. 9-10), (aurorapictureshow.org).

More information on the Iranian Film Festival

"Walls of Martyrdom: Tehran’s Propaganda Murals" symposium, May 18, 2007.

ILEX is pleased to note the "Walls of Martyrdom: Tehran’s Propaganda Murals" symposium, with panel disussions that took place in Cambridge on May 18, 2007. Cosponsored by Harvard University Carr Center for Human Rights Policy and Islamic Legal Studies Program at Harvard Law School, the symposium contextualized a photo exhibit by Fotini Christia.

See wallsofmartyrdom.com and iranian.com for more.

The 13th Boston Festival of Films from Iran and the Annual ILEX Foundation Award for Excellence in Iranian Cinema, 2006.

Sponsored by the MFA Film Program, our most extensive showcase ever of contemporary Iranian cinema took place on November 10-December 3, 2006, at Remis Auditorium, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Niki Karimi, acclaimed actor and director, received the Annual ILEX Foundation Award for Excellence in Iranian Cinema at the festival.

Highlights and photos.

Persian Visions: Contemporary Photography from Iran. October 2005 to January 2008. Ilex Foundation is pleased to support the first survey of contemporary Iranian photography presented in the United States.

The exhibition — developed by Hamid Severi for the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, and Gary Hallman of the Regis Center for Art, University of Minnesota — provides a rare, revealing view of Iranian life and experiences with more than 80 photographs by renowned Iranian photographers.

Click here for a catalog, which includes an exhibition schedule. Details are also available at the International Arts & Artists web site.

The 12th Annual Boston Festival of Films from Iran. November 11 - December 4, 2005. The festival has become one of the most extensive showcases of Iranian films in the United States. Highlights included Iron Island by Mohammad Rasoulof, Deserted Station by Alireza Raisian, Paradise is Somewhere Else by newcomer Abdolrasoul Golbon, and The Unwanted Woman by Tahmineh Milani, one of Iran's most talented women directors.

Ms. Milani was on hand for the Closing Program to receive the sixth annual ILEX Foundation Award for Excellence in Iranian Cinema. More details at the MFA web site. See full-size image.

Special Benefit for the film Arusi. February 11, 2005. ILEX Foundation and Art for Action sponsored a special benefit event for the film Arusi in Washington, D.C.

Boston Festival of Films from Iran. November 12 - December 12, 2004.The ILEX Foundation in association with the Film Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston presented the 11th Boston Festival of Films from Iran. Our festival has become one of the most extensive U.S. showcases of Iranian films, expanded this year to include musical performances. This thirteen-program festival featured films by two of the world's most recognized film artists, Mohsen Makhmalbaf (Afghan Alphabet, Dec 3, 11) and Abbas Kiarostami (10 on Ten, Nov 13, 27). In addition, the festival screened the newest film from Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s daughter and protégée, Samira Makhmalbaf (At Five in the Afternoon, Nov 13, 16), and an ensemble comedy from esteemed Iranian veteran Dariush Mehrjui (Mama’s Guest, Nov. 19, 27). A special concert by The Zoufonoun Ensemble on November 20, gave audiences a chance to hear traditional Persian music.

Programmed and organized by the MFA with the support of the ILEX Foundation, highlights from this festival were also presented at the Asia Society, New York (Dec. 3 and 4), the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, DC (Jan. 7-Feb. 6), and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Jan. 14-23).

Read a review of the festival on the Makhmalbaf Film House web site.

The Boston Festival of Films from Iran was sponsored by the ILEX Foundation and made possible by assistance from Olga Davidson, Niloo Fotouhi, and Bo Smith.

All films in Persian with English subtitles, except as noted.

The 11th Annual Iranian Film Festival, January 9 - 18, 2004. The Fesitval was sponsored by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Ilex and held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Rice Cinema. The Festival featured six films: Silence Between Two Thoughts; Deep Breath; The Fifth Reaction; The Twilight; Black Tape: A Tehran Diary—The Videotape Fariborz Kamkari Found in the Garbage; and Crimson Gold. Visit the MFAH web site for details.

2004 Festival of Iranian Films, January 9 - February 14, 2004. Ilex Foundation co-sponsored the festival at the Freer and Sackler Galleries in Washington, D.C. The festival featured five new films: Marooned in Iraq, Crimson Gold, Ten, Tehran 7:00 am, and Letters in the Wind. Visit the gallery's web site for details.

Ilex Foundation 2003 Award for Excellence in Iranian Cinema. Our Times by Rakhshan Bani Etemad is the 2003 recipient of this annual award. The film was screened at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts as part of the Festival of Films from Iran (see below), on November 14, 2003. Baran Kosari accepted the award on behalf of Rakhshan Bani-Etemad. Ilex Foundation Chair Olga Davidson and Executive Director Niloofar Fotouhi presented the award. See the full-size image.

Iranian Voices film series, November 22 - December 20, 2003. The series was sponsored by Ilex Foundation and the American Film Institute, and is being held at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. Visit the AFI web site for details.

Festival of Films from Iran, November 14 - December 21, 2003. The Festival was held in conjunction at the MFA in Boston and the American Film Institute in Silver Springs, Maryland. Visit the MFA Event Calendar and the AFI web site for details.

Film Screening, December 5 - 6, 2003. The Asia Society and Ilex screened four films from the annual Festival of Films from Iran at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Highlights included some of the latest dramas that explore struggles and relationships in a changing Iran. Programmed by Bo Smith, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and sponsored by Ilex Foundation. All films in Farsi with English subtitles. More information.

Iranian art exhibit, through July 2003. Ilex Foundation cosponsored Iranian artist Bahar Behbehani at an exhibit in Washington, DC, at the Anne C. Fisher Gallery, 2352 Wisconsin Ave, NW.

Muslim Women in America aired on BNN Channel 9, 9:00pm on March 29 and 30, and April 5 and 6. The program featured Muslim women dispelling some myths about Islam and educating us about their experiences. The program was shot in the Beacon Hill Ilex Foundation headquarters. Ilex chairman Dr. Olga Davidson served as host and moderator. See the BNN press release for more information.

The Hidden Half: Iranian Women Directors, January and February 2003, at the Smithsonian Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. This series is organized in association with The Freer Gallery of Art. Visit the Freer and Sackler Galleries Event Calendar for details.

Private exhibit and reception. ILEX Foundation hosted a private exhibit and reception for two contemporary Iranian artists — Bahar Behbehani and Mostafa Darehbaghi. Visit their web site.

Bahar Behbehani, Holly Compton Alderman (ILEX U.S. Outreach Programmer), Niloo Fotouhi (ILEX Executive Director), Mostafa Darehbaghi at ILEX Foundation reception (left to right). See full-size image.

Olga Davidson (ILEX Chairman, right) and guest at exhibit. See full-size image.

Artist Bahar Behbehani at exhibit. See full-size image.

Photography Exhibit. Private exhibit of Iranian photographer Jamshid Bayrami at ILEX Foundation, Boston.

Meet the Filmmakers: Two New Documentaries from Iran. November 21, 2002. Pirooz Kalantari's That Is Life and Persheng Vaziri's Women Like Us were screened at the Smithsonian's Freer and Sackler Galleries in Washington, DC. A discussion with the filmmakers followed. This event was made possible through the support of the ILEX Foundation. Visit the Freer and Sackler Galleries web site. These films were also shown on November 16 during the annual Museum of Fine Arts Festival of Films from Iran. Visit the MFA film calendar at the MFA web site for more details.

Ilex Foundation Award for Excellence in Iranian Cinema and the MFA annual Festival of Films from Iran. November 2002. Director Bahman Farmanara is the recipient of the 2002 Ilex Foundation Award for Excellence in Iranian Cinema.

His film, A House Built on Water, was shown on November 8 during the annual Museum of Fine Arts Festival of Films from Iran. Visit the MFA film calendar at the MFA web site for more details. Read an article about the Festival on Boston.com.

Bo Smith, Director of Film Program MFA, Olga Davidson, and Niloo Fotouhi at the screening and award ceremony at MFA, holding the award. See full-size image.

Bahman Farmanara, Iranian director, receiving the 2002 Ilex Foundation Award for Excellence in Iranian Cinema from Olga Davidson in November at the MFA. See full-size image.

Film Premier. Sunday, September 29, 2002. ILEX Foundation and the Museum of Fine Arts Film Program presented the Boston premiere of Marooned in Iraq, the latest film by Bahman Ghobadi, at Remis Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts. Marooned in Iraq received the International Critiques Award (Francois Chalais) at Cannes Film Festival 2002. Director Bahman Ghobadi was unfortunately not present due to visa delays; however, his sister and closest confidant, Azar Ghobadi, was present with a heartfelt message from Bahman Ghobadi and later partook in a discussion about the movie with the audience. The film was praised highly by a sold-out theater. Bahman Ghobadi was the winner of Camera d'Or at Cannes Film Festival 2000 for his film A Time for Drunken Horses.

Film Premier. Wednesday September 25 and Friday September 27, 2002. The Corcoran Gallery of Art premiered the latest feature film of Kurdish-Iranian film director Bahman Ghobadi before it receives U.S. distribution. Read the Press Release for more details.

Film Screening. Tuesday September 17 and Wednesday September 18, 2002. Ilex Foundation and Building Bridges: Middle East-US screened two movies from Iran, Son of Maryam and The Longest Night. The film makers were also present at the event in Woodstock, Vermont. Read the Press Release for more details.

Guests Ramyar Rossoukh (left) and Stephen Caton at the Ilex Foundation reception for the Son of Maryam and The Longest Night film makers. See full-size image.

Iranian film directors and producers attended the Vermont Film festival sponsored by Ilex Foundation. See full-size image for names of people in this photo.

Film Screening. Saturday September 14 and Sunday September 15, 2002. ILEX Foundation presented four movies From Iran; Born Under Libra; Djomeh/Friday; Son of Maryam; and The Longest Night; at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Read the Press Release for more details.

Private Iranian photography screening. June 14, 2002. A private screening of the work of Jamshid Bayrami, an Iranian photographer, was held at the Ilex headquarters in Boston. Read Jamshid Bayrami's Curriculum Vitae.

Annual Festival of Films from Iran, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Ongoing. The Foundation provides continuing support for the annual Festival of Films from Iran. For more on the Festival, read a review by Stephen Brophy on his "Looking at Movies" web site.

Ilex Foundation Award for Excellence in Iranian Cinema. 2001. The Foundation presents this award annually, during the Festival of Films from Iran, sponsored by Ilex at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.

Fatemeh Motamed Aria was the recipient of this award in 2001. Professsor Saeed-Vafa, pictured here, acccepted the award on her behalf in November 2001 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. See full-size image.

Professor Olga Davidson (left), Chairman of Ilex Foundation, and Niloofar Fotouhi, Ilex Executive Director, attended the Annual Ilex Foundation Award reception in November 2001 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. See full-size image.

Ilex Foundation Trustee Gregory Nagy (left) and guests attended the Annual Ilex Foundation Award reception at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in November 2001. See full-size image.

Ilex Foundation Award for Excellence in Iranian Cinema. 2000. The Foundation presents this award annually, during the Festival of Films from Iran, sponsored by Ilex at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.

Visit the web site of Makhmalbaf Film House, the 2000 recipient of the Award.

Read a review on the 2000 Iranian Film Festival at the Museum of Fine Arts, written by Paula Noyes at www.newenglandfilm.com.

A Time for Drunken Horses. October 2000. Pre-release screening of the film A Time for Drunken Horses, by Bahman Ghobadi, held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.

Gene Siskel Film Center. 1999. Ilex Foundation is a sponsor of the Gene Siskel Film Center.

Color of Paradise. October 1999. Pre-release screening of the film Color of Paradise, by Oscar-nominated, renowned Iranian film director Majid Majidi. The screenings were held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.

Iranian Film Festival. October 1999. Support for the festival, held at the Chicago Film Center.

Two Women (Do Zan). October 1999. Pre-release screening of the film Two Women, by renowned Iranian film director Tahmineh Milani.

Lectures and Visits

President Mohammad Khatami Visit. On Monday, September 11 2006, President Mohammad Khatami, head of the former reformist government of Iran, paid an official visit to the house of Olga M. Davidson at 82 Revere Street as the last stopping point of his tour of the United States before his flight back to Tehran. Agents from the U.S. State Department cordoned off a block of Revere Street for the motorcade that brought Khatami to Beacon Hill from Cambridge, where he was paying an official visit to Harvard University. Earlier stopping points for Khatami included the National Cathedral in Washington and the United Nations in New York City. Monday’s occasion on Beacon Hill was an informal dialogue between U.S. and Iranian scholars and students. More than 70 guests attended the event, including three former ambassadors of earlier governments of Iran. Khatami gave a short speech on the need for dialogue between civilizations. He is head of his own institute in Geneva that promotes such dialogues, and he said in his speech that he hopes to maintain contact with Davidson, who is Chairman of the Board of the Ilex Foundation, which promotes the study of humanistic traditions that derive from the civilizations of the Mediterranean and the Near East, from the second millennium BCE to the present. Ilex had invited Khatami as a representative of those sectors of Iranian society that promote dialogues between civilizations.

Stressing the need to examine cultures on their own terms, the Ilex Foundation especially supports research that is language-based and text-based, Davidson explained. Points of special interest for comparison include models of classicism and the humanistic discourse of Islamic civilization.

Dr. Mohammad Mahallati translated the comments delivered by Khatami for the occasion in Persian: “The house of Dr. Davidson, which is a center for showing the art and beauty of Persian culture, is a noble manifestation of her vision. Visiting this house and meeting so many admirers of Iranian culture gave a beautiful closure to my visit in Massachusetts and in the United States. It was an unforgettable occasion.”

See an image, along with a translation, of President Khatami's inscription in Olga Davidson's Guestbook.

See a page of photos of President Khatami's visit.

Third Annual James Parks Morton Interfaith Awards Dinner in New York City. Professor Olga Davidson, Chairman of Ilex Foundation, recently introduced 2003 Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi at the Third Annual James Parks Morton Interfaith Awards Dinner in New York City. Read her introduction.

Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi. Ilex Foundation, together with the Harvard Institute of Politics and the Kokkalis Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University presented a Forum address by 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi. Read a biography of Shirin Ebadi.

View video of the forum.

The Forum took place on May 11, 2004 5 PM. See the Kokalis Program events schedule page for details on the Forum.

Professor Olga Davidson, Ilex Foundation; Dean David T. Ellwood, Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School for Government; Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi; Niloofar Fotouhi, Ilex Foundation; and Elaine Papoulias, Director of Kokkalis Program on Southeastern and East-Central Europe at Harvard University; at Ilex Foundation reception for Shirin Ebadi. See full-size image.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi, speaking at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum at Harvard University. See full-size image.

Professor Olga Davidson, Ilex Foundation; Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Laureate;and Niloofar Fotouhi, Ilex Foundation; at Ilex Foundation reception for Shirin Ebadi. See full-size image.

Olga M. Davidson with Naqqâl Iraj Anvar - Shahnameh: The Book of Kings, the Court and the Coffeehouse, January 15th, 2004, at the Asia Society and Museum in New York. Davidson gave an introduction to the monumental Persian epic, Shahnameh, and Naqqâl Anvar presented a recitation of this classic epic in Persian, with English translations provided. See the Asia Society web site for details. Cosponsored by Ilex Foundation. This event sold out.

Biennale Internazionale Dell'Arte Contemporanea, December 2003, Florence, Italy. Ilex Foundation supported Iranian artist Negar Assari-Samimi at the Florence Biennale. Visit the Florence Biennale web site for more information.

Traditions and Language of Aghdnamehs (marriage contracts). May 2001. A talk and slide presentation given by Amir Zekrgo in Boston.

Turkish Musicical performance. May 2001. Saz and Bendir performance of Turkish music by Okan Murat Ozturk and Sukru Ilicak, Boston and Washington, D.C.

The Beacon Hill Times published an article on the Ilex Foundation meeting of Mohammad Mahallati, former Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations, and Olga Davidson. September 2000.

Read the article.

Visit by Iranian Foreign Minister. September 2000. Hosted visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi to Boston Massachusetts. For more on Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi's visit to Boston, see the Islamic Republic of Iran's Foreign Ministry web site.

The "Russian Project." June 2000. Lecture at Ecole Normale by Ildar Ibraguimov, and purchase of "Silver Mountain Workshop" for Bibliotheca Classica in St. Petersburg.

Poetry & Prophecy. April 2000. Lecture given by Dr. H.M. Elahi-Ghomshei, at Georgetown University and Harvard University.

Visage of Christ in Islam. March 2000. Lecture given by Ayatollah Majdoddin Mahallati at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University.

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