Toronto welcomed its newest cultural district in North York over the weekend, a source of joy and excitement for the local Iranian community. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Coun. Lily Cheng (Willowdale), and Member of Parliament for Willowdale Ali Ehsassi joined Persian-Canadians at Centre Park to reveal the sign marking the area as “Little Iran.”
Mayor Chow expressed gratitude to the Iranian community for coming together and celebrating on the Thanksgiving weekend, deeming the occasion a historic one. The festivities at Centre Park included live music, dancing, Persian cuisine, art displays, and soon, a Persian garden will be added to the park.
Afkham Mardukhi, president of the Intercultural Iranian Canadian Resource Centre, emphasized the significance of the recognition, stating that Iranians feel they have two homes with this acknowledgment. Maral Esmaeili from the Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario shared that Little Iran gives her a sense of being back home, inviting people of all cultures to join in the celebration.
Mahsa Mortazavi, an attendee at the event, highlighted the growth and reliability of the Iranian community in Canada, underscoring its positive impact on society. Sam Fayaz, a long-time owner of a Persian grocery store, expressed that the official designation of Little Iran by the city solidifies what Farsi speakers already recognized in the area.
Fayaz believes that the cultural district will bring the community closer together and raise awareness of Persian culture among the broader population.
