The Simorgh/30 Birds Project

In the epic narrative of 'The Conference of the Birds,' crafted by the eminent Persian poet Attar, the illustrious Simorgh bird is central to the tale. This legendary creature, epitomising divine wisdom, is sought by a multitude of birds, all initiating their journey from the vibrant landscapes of Iran. Led by the insightful Hoopoe, the birds, each embodying a human flaw inhibiting their path to enlightenment, venture towards the mystical Mount Qaf. This demanding pilgrimage takes them through the Seven Valleys, where they face and conquer myriad trials. Despite starting their journey in their thousands, only thirty birds prevail and arrive at their destination. It is here that they are met with a profound revelation - the term 'Simorgh' in Persian is a play on words where 'Si' translates to 'thirty' and 'Morgh' to 'bird'. Hence, the 'Simorgh' they sought was a symbol of their unity and collective wisdom. The tale elegantly explores the themes of self-realisation, divine truth, and unity, articulated through the allegorical journey to find the Simorgh.

Supported by the Arts Council England, I have had the privilege to co-participate in a project where I've been teaching photography, video production, and storytelling in London. This initiative primarily involves individuals from BAMER communities, with a significant representation from the Iranian background.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Rob, Farzaneh, Shakiba, Kaveh, Rodmon, Sahar, Grace, Wendy, Ray, Sharif, Bank, Fatima, Aren, Sanaz and Ali for their invaluable contributions to this project. Your support, insight, and dedication have been instrumental in bringing this initiative to fruition. It's been an absolute pleasure working alongside such passionate individuals. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and for making this journey a remarkable one.
Sinai,

All of the still and moving images produced during this project have been created collaboratively, highlighting the co-participatory nature of our endeavours, with every participant contributing significantly to the final output.