A lot of people turned out last night to take part in the 10th Annual Zoroastrian Fire Jumping Event at La Plaza Cultural on Ninth Street at Avenue C.
As the invite noted: "Jumping over fire is a symbolic gesture to start a fresh new year. This tradition is celebrated for ringing in the Persian New Year and has been celebrated since at least 1700 BCE of the early Zoroastrian era."
The festive evening, choreographed again by Simin Farkhondeh, a community activist and professor at the School of Visual Arts, included music by the Rude Mechanical Orchestra and jumping courtesy of those who lined up to celebrate ... EVG contributor Stacie Joy was there for the action...
[Simin Farkhondeh and daughter]
[Thanks to Ryan and Oona for the view!]
I waited on line for over an hour and a half. When we got near the front, we noticed that there were individuals cutting the line in addition to people who had ALREADY had their turn but stepping in front of others who waited in line to go again. And again. And again. My friend counted someone who jumped FOUR times and stepped in front of another person who WAS IN LINE to go for a FIFTH time disregarding those who had waited their turn. My friend finally called him out because NO ONE running this event (or with a bullhorn) was doing anything about it. THESE THINGS CAUSED AN CRAZY AND UNNECESSARY BACKUP OF THE LINE. The line management as well as the area where people were jumping needs SIGNIFICANT improvement. Not to mention, there is a limit to the number of people who could remain in the park at one time (I believe it is 175) otherwise face shut down from the police. (And all those folks on line who had waited one hour + would be shut out) Folks need to be courteous and not rude. Management needs to be aware AND enforce such rules to everyone. (i.e. "keep it moving" and if they see someone LITERALLY STEPPING IN FRONT OF ANOTHER PERSON WHO HAS WAITED OVER AN HOUR IN LINE TO JUMP FOR THEIR THIRD TIME, TO PUT A STOP TO IT!!) It's fine if you want to hang out for little but if want to jump several times, you being obnoxious, rude and disrespectful to literally HUNDREDS of people patiently waiting their turn in line. Not to mention causing a potential fire hazard (over occupancy) and shutting down the event. This is the 2nd year I attended, and honestly, I cannot in good faith recommend this experience to anyone unless it gets its act together.
ReplyDeletewe do not participate in this event from a place of entitlement. This is an ancient ritual and we Iranians are grateful that we have anything like this at all. I appreciate everything the organizers did and I know one of the second locations had their fire permit removed. Please don't bring your American entitlement into our sacred space.
ReplyDeleteAs the organizer of this event for the tenth time, I couldn't be happier. The overall feeling was one of excitement, wonder, and community. We did not know for sure that we were going to have the event at LaPlaza until noon on Tuesday, yet it all came together. Clearly, we need a bigger space, but the feeling will be different if it is held at Central Park or at the beach. Thank you all for coming and for bringing your love for nature, fire, community and for spring. And thank you for EV Grieve for the wonderful coverage and photos so we may remember.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAs the organizer of this event for the tenth time, I couldn't be happier. The overall feeling was one of excitement, wonder, and community. We did not know for sure that we were going to have the event at LaPlaza until noon on Tuesday, yet it all came together. Clearly, we need a bigger space, but the feeling will be different if it is held at Central Park or at the beach. Thank you all for coming and for bringing your love for nature, fire, community and for spring. And thank you for EV Grieve for the wonderful coverage and photos so we may remember.