I born in Iran when it was 1968, a year of revolutions in the whole world. I grew up with revolution and war in my country, too. I went to Fine Arts Faculty of Tehran University and got my Bachelor in Theatre. Then, I went to Cinema and Theatre Faculty of Tehran University of Arts to get my Masters in Dramatic Literature.
I was Drama Instructor and Writer in Iran until my exile at 2005. I arrived Canada at the end of 2006. Since then I try to identify myself as an artist. As a new-comer artist, I found out that I should challenge a lot, most of the time unnecessary, to being recognized as an artist here. I know many new-comers who are artists and struggle the same way. Some are already given up on their true identity and try to make only a living in Canada. I know that choice will cause lots of tensions in the long run and after that unhealthy relationships with the family, friends and the society or/and health problem conditions to those artists caused by being not in the positions that they should be. I say it because I experienced it myself.
Being not heard, not seen and not appreciated as a creative artist because somehow you are from other country, language or ethnicity, is something that is hidden and unrecognized by people and authorities in Canada. In BC, artists are already not appreciated at all, what else could be about a foreign-born artist!
But, we exist and we want our share from the new country that we entered into. We want to build and make it even better day by day. We want to add more attraction, more cultural credits, and more colour to our community. And, that is nothing wrong with our intention.
It was always with me this idea to start a community or society for people like myself. Those artists that don't have a voice, but this doesn't make them worthless or doesn't approve that they are not creative artists. We shouldn't let our identity as an artist dies just because of the barriers of immigration like: money and lack of financial supports, working in conditions way below of our qualifications and abilities, and the difference between languages. Art is much more bigger than all these barriers.
Arts are the language of the all nations. Everyone understand it with less interpretation which is a must for the world of business and politics. Besides all of these superiorities of arts, the other amazing thing that we could say about it is that arts bring people to much deeper understanding of each other, a much wider view about humanity, and a much higher perspective about diversity and peace. Arts can do all these miracles with a beautiful way; the way that politics and business never can understand it or reach to its potential.
I shared my concerns and dreams with Dong, Malek and Tianfei. We were all agreed and developed ideas about how to proceed. There we are, step by step, we started a new blog, a new community who wishes to turn into a new society for new-comers who wish to continue their artistic self and creativity in Canada.
I, personally, welcome every new person who wants to be a part of a bigger picture and try to establish a better, welcoming BC.
Narges Sonya Govahi
