Roqe

A feature interview with popular Iranian-British television presenter and journalist, Fardad Farahzad, host of the The Lead Show on Iran International. Fardad joins Jian to discuss his childhood in the north of Iran, his years at BBC Persian, his innovative startup platform, YourTime TV, and the paradox of broadcasting to/for a country that allows limited access to journalists and media. Plus the...

The Roqe Team ushers in a new year with storytelling, a look at the first eight months of programs, the latest instalment of “It’s All Persian To Us,” and the debut of Chef Hoss Zare’s new regular segment, “Roqe Hoss-pitality.” Plus letters and feedback on the Roqe original series, Why Pink Floyd: An Iranian Obsession.

A special recap and summary of the full 4-part Roqe series, Why Pink Floyd. Jian presides over a countdown of the top ten elements discovered upon evaluating the deep connection between the Iranian people and the legendary British rock band, Pink Floyd.

Part One of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Iranians and the legendary British rock band, Pink Floyd. This episode is entitled, “Fandom and Context” and features Ali Azimi (London), Dara Daraee (Tehran), Ramin Sadighi (Tehran) and Roya Arab (London). Part Two of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Ira...

Part One of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Iranians and the legendary British rock band, Pink Floyd. This episode is entitled, “Fandom and Context” and features Ali Azimi (London), Dara Daraee (Tehran), Ramin Sadighi (Tehran) and Roya Arab (London). Part Two of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Ira...

Part One of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Iranians and the legendary British rock band, Pink Floyd. This episode is entitled, “Fandom and Context” and features Ali Azimi (London), Dara Daraee (Tehran), Ramin Sadighi (Tehran) and Roya Arab (London). Part Two of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Ira...

Part One of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Iranians and the legendary British rock band, Pink Floyd. This episode is entitled, “Fandom and Context” and features Ali Azimi (London), Dara Daraee (Tehran), Ramin Sadighi (Tehran) and Roya Arab (London). Part Two of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Ira...

Feature interviews with three different and dynamic Iranians in the diaspora. First, Hossein Mansouri, a registered nurse who became one of the first people in the world to administer the new Covid 19 vaccine this week in Montreal…only a month after his brother died of it in Iran. Then Erfan Nasajpour, a star basketball player who went from the Canadian national team to playing professionally in I...

A feature interview with distinguished Iranian-Canadian video game designer, virtual reality film and graphic novel creator, writer, director and producer, Navid Khonsari. Navid joins Jian to discuss growing up in Iran, coming to Canada during the revolution, parlaying his love of film and cinematic creations into huge video game success with Grand Theft Auto and other franchises, and, one of his...

A feature interview with mountain climber Sara Safari, who is on a quest to be the first Iranian in history to climb the Seven Summits. Sara is an author, speaker, climber, college professor, electrical engineer and advocate for women’s empowerment. She joins Jian to discuss her journey from shy Iranian girl to Everest scaler, TEDx speaker, and global spokesperson against human trafficking. She re...

A feature interview with acclaimed Iranian-German cinematic artist Ali Samadi Ahadi - film director, producer and visual effects supervisor. Ali is known for his hit comedy films like “Salami Aleikum” and “45 Minutes to Ramallah,” as well as award-winning documentaries, “Lost Children,” and, “The Green Wave” - a landmark film focused on the Green Movement in Iran, the disputed 2009 elections, and...

A feature interview with renowned Iranian-American photographer, monologist, and personality, Kusha Alagband, the host and creator of the popular instagram and youtube series, Kusha’s Corner. Kusha joins Jian to discuss the journey from Iran to America, from the banking world to the creative space, and from misfit to internet star. Plus the Roqe team convenes on the follies of acquiring feta chees...

A look at the devastating ‘Bloody November’ (Aban) 2019 protests in Iran - historical context, details, and lessons to learn - one year later. Jian is joined by Nazenin Ansari, Editor of Kayhan London/Kayhan Life, freelance journalist Roshanak Astaraki, and Stuart Willians from Agence France-Presse. Plus the Roqe Team convenes to celebrate International Ghormeh Sabzi Day, and Mona from Melbourne j...

On the occasion of the death of football legend Diego Maradona, a Roqe Special to pay tribute and assess his career, his remarkable talents, his personal struggles and controversies, and the connection that many Iranians felt to the global sport and pop culture icon. Jian is joined by Iranian football experts, players, fans and analysts: Mehrdad Ahmadpour in Toronto, Nader Davoodi in Tehran, Hoss...

Feature interviews with Dr. Javad Mashreghi, President of the Canadian Mathematical Society, and Nima Kiann, Director and Choreographer of the Iranian National Ballet Company. Javad joins Jian from Quebec to discuss his journey from Tehran to the top of the math world, the artistry of mathematics in his eyes, and the differences he sees between Western students and those from Iran. Nima joins the...

A feature interview with groundbreaking young Afghan rapper and activist, Sonita Alizadeh. Sonita joins Jian to discuss her remarkable story: She arrived in Iran as an undocumented refugee fleeing the Taliban; was almost sold by her mother as a child bride - twice; found her voice in writing and performing rap music; and found her strength in beginning an international mission to end child marriag...

A feature interview with iconic Iranian sculptor, painter, scholar and art collector, Parviz Tanavoli - one of greatest modern and contemporary artists of Iran. Parviz joins Jian to talk about his life journey, his confidence, his persistence, his views on mortality, his migration to Canada and Vancouver, his forthcoming book, “A Virus for Collecting,” and his recent donation of over 1400 rugs and...

A feature interview with Iranian-Canadian business and marketing guru, Ramin Mesgarlou, the founder and CEO of Forensic Network and Opulence Global - Canada's largest private designer fashion house. Ramin joins Jian for a spirited chat about ambition, motivation, goals and material success. Plus the Roqe Team reconvenes with Farsi chatter and Letters of the Day.

A feature interview with Israeli actress and singer, Liraz Charhi. Liraz joins Jian to discuss her journey towards understanding her dual identity, her Persian roots, her true inspiration, the dangers of being an Israeli recording artist working with Iranian musicians from inside Iran, and her new album of Iranian pop music, "Zan". Liraz is also one of the stars of the new Apple TV espionage thril...

With the entire world caught up in the mystery, madness and machinations of the American presidential election this week, we look at how this election has been seen by Iranians and the implications for people of Iranian descent in the United States, the diaspora, and inside Iran. Internationally recognized author and academic Dr Mehrzad Boroujerdi and broadcaster and political analyst Reza Goharza...

A feature interview with award-winning Iranian-American entrepreneur, Elnaz Sarraf, founder and CEO of the ROYBI Robot, the world’s first-ever AI-powered smart toy to teach children language and STEM skills. The ROYBI made the cover of Time Magazine as one of the inventions of the year in 2019. Elnaz joins Jian for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up in Iran, learning to surmount failures...

A special edition of Roqe: The Case for Nasrin. Iranian lawyer and human rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh has been sentenced to 38 years in prison in Iran for defending those charged with political offences. While she was just awarded the Alternative Nobel Prize for human rights, her imprisonment continues, her situation is dire, and due to a hunger strike and heart issues, she is in a weakened sta...

A feature interview with the talented musical duo behind the alternative fusion group, Niyaz. Azam Ali and Loga Ramin Torkian join Jian for a wide-ranging chat to discuss their respective journeys from Iran to the West, their balance as work and life partners, the roots of their hybrid Middle Eastern global trance sound, and their views on representation, nationalism and identity.

An interview with Zartoshte Bakhtiari, the recently elected Mayor of Neuilly-sur-Marne, France. Zartoshte joins Jian to discuss his passion for politics, public action, and the story of becoming the first French mayor of Iranian descent - and one of the youngest ever in France. Then, Iranian biker Shima Mehri joins us from Denmark for a spirited and wide-ranging interview. Shima is the first woman...

A feature interview with composer, producer, pianist, Reza Rohani. Reza joins Jian to discuss his journey from classical to jazz fusion music, celebrity status after a regular stint on a big TV show, success in social media, and following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Maestro Anoushiravan Rohani.