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The Parliament of the Birds
Around the World in 80 Plays

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Don't miss The Parliament of the Birds

The Parliament of the Birds. Guillermo Verdecchia. Freely adapted from Farid Ud-Din Attar’s The Conference of the Birds.

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Believing better is possible is the first step. When the call goes out the birds of the world – all sizes, colours, and abilities – gather as one great flock, and embark on an epic journey in search of self, enlightenment, and truth. The beloved allegorical poem by Persian poet Farid al-Din Attar comes to life in a new adaptation filled with hope, that is both timeless and sits firmly in the present. Read the Playbill.

> Explore the 9 other plays from iran to round out your Around the World in 80 Plays experience

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Choose, and audiences enjoy unlimited access to the audio drama from the premiere date until April 20, 2022. You will receive an email with a link to log into your account and listen to an embedded audio file through your computer or device.

Purchase a Passport Subscription and enjoy all eight productions! Around the World Passport


CBC IDEAS - IRAN indepth Podcast

IDEAS is a deep-dive into contemporary thought and intellectual history. Using The Parliament of the Birds as a launching-off point, host Nahlah Ayed sits down with artists to discuss the cultural context to understand this Iranian drama, and what it might have to say to our contemporary Canadian context. FREE

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EXTEND YOUR STAY

THE SIT DOWN - interview with soheil parsa

Director of The Parliament of the Birds, Soheil Parsa, sits down with Emma Stenning to discuss how this piece is deeply rooted in Persian history and culture but is profoundly universal in how it reflects our shared human values. 

Recorded early 2021 with Soulpepper's previous Executive Director.


RECIPE from THE YOUNG CENTRE CAFE *new*

The Young Centre Cafe has prepared a recipe for you to cook while listening to The Parliament of the Birds.

Ghormesh Sabzi - Persian Herb Stew

DOWNLOAD RECIPE


Restaurant Recommendations from Toronto LiFE

In the Queen Street West neighbourhood, Banu is serving up the very best of Persian-inspired cocktails, cuisine and culture.

Order take-out from this or other local restaurants to enjoy while listening to the production.

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free iranian cuisine demonstration

In partnership with Toronto Life Insider, to celebrate The Parliament of the Birds, we are thrilled to offer an exclusive virtual Iranian cuisine demonstration hosted by Armita Hosseini. Armita is a self-taught cook and food stylist who is passionate about the artistic expression of various international cuisines, particularly Middle Eastern and traditional Iranian cuisine. Learn to make two dishes inspired by Armita's fond memories of eating fish in the coastal regions of Iran. 


Spotlight from TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS - SHOKOOFEH AZAR

Keeping in touch, both figuratively and physically, is a challenge during times of isolation; while physical touch – and what we touch – is now a source of fear and anxiety for many. The Dutch phrase “skin hunger” has come to prominence in recent months, encapsulating these feelings.

For the 2020 Festival, TIFA presented Skin Hunger: a new writing commission featuring original works by internationally renowned writers, in reflection on what we’ve all felt and suffered during the COVID-19 crisis. Featured here is Iranian-Australian author Shokoofeh Azar, reading her Skin Hunger piece, titled Dear Coronavirus.

Book Recommendations from Toronto International Festival of Authors


SPOTLIGHT FROM SMALL WORLD MUSIC - SINA BATHAIE

Toronto-based composer and santur player Sina Bathaie is known around the world for his unique style and approach toward Persian contemporary music. Born in Iran, Bathaie began studying santur at age 7 under his father, Master Javad Bathaie and learned classical repertoire (radif) on the oud and percussion. He then followed his passion in music by practicing Persian classical repertoire (Radif) with the instrument Oud and explored the concept of rhythm by learning Tonbak (Persian Percussion).

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ART ATTENTION FROM THE AGO & the AGA KHAN MUSEUM

In response to The Parliament of the Birds by Guillermo Verdecchia, Adam Levine, Assistant Curator of European Art at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and Dr. Michael Changon, Curator at the Aga Khan Museumshare a piece of art from the Aga Khan Museum collection, Shaykh Safi Al-Din Interpreting For His Disciples Various Verses By Distinguished Poets from the manuscript of Tazkira (biographical accounts) of Shaykh Safi al-Din (d. 1334), Iran, Shiraz, dated Sha‘ban 990 AH / Aug–Sept 1582, opaque watercolour, ink, and gold on paper © The Aga Khan Museum, AKM264. 

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Explore Arts and Culture

Iran Virtual Cultural Expedition
Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, Tehran
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Tehran 360 Tour
Tehran
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Tehran Bazaar
Tehran
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National Museum of Iran
Tehran
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Persepolis
Marvdasht
Read More Visit
Eco-Lodges in Iran
Read More Visit

The Theatrical Canon - iran

9 OTHER PLAYS CURATED BY SOULPEPPER ARTISTS AND LOCAL SCHOLARS TO READ AND ENJOY! INQUIRE ABOUT THESE TITLES AT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP OR LIBRARY.

City of Tales
By Bijan Mofid
Read More More
O Fool! O Fooled!
By Gholam Hossein Sa'edi
Read More More
Death of Yazdgird (Death of the King)
By Bahram Bayzai
Read More More
The Whispers Behind the Battle Line
By Alireza Naderi
Read More
A Moment of Silence
By Mohammad Yaghoubi
Read More More
Shelter
By Sanaz Bayan
Read More
Sleeping in an Empty Cup
By Naghmeh Samini
Read More More
White Rabbit, Red Rabbit
By Nassim Soleimanpour
Read More More
A deep, big and new research about fossils of 25th genealogy period, or 20th, or any other period, there is no difference
By Abbas Nalbandian
More

 

Soulpepper’s Around The World In 80 Plays series has become essential for theatre lovers. Imagine a mini international theatre festival for the ears, intellect and soul.

- NOW Magazine

Based on a twelfth-century Sufi poem, The Parliament of The Birds is an allegorical journey in search of enlightenment and truth. At its center, there is a longing for understanding and peace in a world troubled by hypocrisy, corruption and inhumanity. This play shows how storytelling can bridge differences by emphasizing our shared hopes, dreams and struggles.

- Soheil Parsa, Director

All around the world and throughout history, humans have acted out the stories that are significant to them, the stories that are central to their sense of who they are, the stories that have defined their communities, and shaped their societies. When we talk about classical theatre we want to explore what that means from the many perspectives of this city. This is a celebration of our global canon.

- Weyni Mengesha, Soulpepper Artistic Director


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