MESSAGE IN A MATCHBOX:
MEMORIES OF A CHILDHOOD IN TEHRAN
The Baskerville Institute is pleased to share with everyone Message in a Matchbox: Memories of a Childhood in Tehran by Sara Fashandi. Follow young Mohsen as he comes to age in this series of short stories about his childhood in Tehran as he rises beyond his circumstances.
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MESSAGE IN A MATCHBOX:
MEMORIES OF A CHILDHOOD IN TEHRAN
The Baskerville Institute is pleased to share with everyone Message in a Matchbox: Memories of a Childhood in Tehran by Sara Fashandi. Follow young Mohsen as he comes to age in this series of short stories about his childhood in Tehran as he rises beyond his circumstances.
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STUDYING PERSIAN IN TAJIKISTAN BY ERIN HARDY
Studying Persian & Tajik in Dushanbe:
Exploring the Cultural Diversity of Tajikistan
by Erin Hardy
Erin Hardy is a sophomore at the University of Utah, where she is majoring in Russian, Persian, and French. She received a scholarship to study at the Eurasian Regional Language Program in Tajikistan this summer. In the fall of 2023, Erin will start her internship at the Baskerville Institute.
In her article, Erin shares her experiences of studying Persian and Tajik in Dushanbe, and exploring the cultural diversity of Tajikistan. She describes the city’s diverse architecture, fashion culture, and restaurants, as well as her experiences visiting the Central Cathedral Mosque of Dushanbe and the Ismaili Center. She also talks about her host family and the challenges and rewards of learning two new languages.
Erin’s article provides a fascinating glimpse into living and studying Persian in Tajikistan.
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STUDYING PERSIAN IN TAJIKISTAN
BY ERIN HARDY
Studying Persian & Tajik in Dushanbe:
Exploring the Cultural Diversity of Tajikistan
by Erin Hardy
Erin Hardy is a sophomore at the University of Utah, where she is majoring in Russian, Persian, and French. She received a scholarship to study at the Eurasian Regional Language Program in Tajikistan this summer. In the fall of 2023, Erin will start her internship at the Baskerville Institute.
In her article, Erin shares her experiences of studying Persian and Tajik in Dushanbe, and exploring the cultural diversity of Tajikistan. She describes the city’s diverse architecture, fashion culture, and restaurants, as well as her experiences visiting the Central Cathedral Mosque of Dushanbe and the Ismaili Center. She also talks about her host family and the challenges and rewards of learning two new languages.
Erin’s article provides a fascinating glimpse into living and studying Persian in Tajikistan.
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ARTICLES PUBLISHED
Opinion: Despite political tensions, Iran’s bond to Utah goes back over a hundred years
Author: Bahman Baktiari
It all started at a Utah State University graduation ceremony.
Opinion: How Iranian immigrants are woven into the fabric of America
Author: Bahman Baktiari
Iranian immigrants are impacting business, space exploration, literature, art and film in America.
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ARTICLES PUBLISHED
Opinion: Despite political tensions, Iran’s bond to Utah goes back over a hundred years
Author: Bahman Baktiari
It all started at a Utah State University graduation ceremony.
Opinion: How Iranian immigrants are woven into the fabric of America
Author: Bahman Baktiari
Iranian immigrants are impacting business, space exploration, literature, art and film in America.
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REZA ASLAN IN SALT LAKE CITY
Reza Aslan Returning to Salt Lake City
September 20 – 21
Reza Aslan is coming to Utah! Stay tuned to our website for an announcement of his upcoming event. Aslan is a renowned scholar of religion and author of several best-selling books, including No God but God and Zealot. He is also a frequent guest on television and radio, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. We are excited to welcome Reza Aslan to Utah, and we hope you will join us for his upcoming event. Watch our website for more information.
Order your copy of Reza Aslan’s An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville
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REZA ASLAN RETURNING TO SALT LAKE CITY
Reza Aslan Returning to
Salt Lake City
September 20 – 21
Reza Aslan is coming to Utah! Stay tuned to our website for an announcement of his upcoming event. Aslan is a renowned scholar of religion and author of several best-selling books, including No God but God and Zealot. He is also a frequent guest on television and radio, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. We are excited to welcome Reza Aslan to Utah, and we hope you will join us for his upcoming event. Watch our website for more information.
Order your copy of Reza Aslan’s An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville
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BASKERVILLE INSTITUTE DIGITAL FRIENDSHIP
Visit the BIDF platform and explore its features. It is a digital platform that connects to online courses offered by American universities. BIDF does not offer these courses itself, but our platform makes it possible for prospective Iranian students in Iran to search for information to help them tailor their educational needs and find essential information.
Click here to browse the pages of BIDF and see the difference we can make by strengthening friendships through education.
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BASKERVILLE INSTITUTE DIGITAL FRIENDSHIP
Visit the BIDF platform and explore its features. It is a digital platform that connects to online courses offered by American universities. BIDF does not offer these courses itself, but our platform makes it possible for prospective Iranian students in Iran to search for information to help them tailor their educational needs and find essential information.
Click here to browse the pages of BIDF and see the difference we can make by strengthening friendships through education.
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INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
MEET OUR SUMMER 2023 INTERN
LINDSAY HAFEN
We are delighted to have Lindsay as our Summer 2023 intern. Lindsay is currently a senior at Brigham Young University, she is studying Middle East Studies and Arabic. Her love for the Middle East stems from a desire to better understand the people, culture, and traditions of this region. Lindsay’s eagerness to enhance her education is what led her to apply for this internship. Her primary goal is to gain a deeper understanding of friendship in international affairs, particularly how to promote and enhance friendship between Americans and Iranians. Lindsay will continue her internship with the Baskerville Institute into the Fall as well.
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INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
MEET OUR SUMMER 2023 INTERN
LINDSAY HAFEN
We are delighted to have Lindsay as our Summer 2023 intern. Lindsay is currently a senior at Brigham Young University, she is studying Middle East Studies and Arabic. Her love for the Middle East stems from a desire to better understand the people, culture, and traditions of this region. Lindsay’s eagerness to enhance her education is what led her to apply for this internship. Her primary goal is to gain a deeper understanding of friendship in international affairs, particularly how to promote and enhance friendship between Americans and Iranians. Lindsay will continue her internship with the Baskerville Institute into the Fall as well.
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ACHIEVING GREAT THINGS:
THE SUCCESSES OF OUR FORMER INTERNS
We are proud of the achievements of our former interns. We have seen them go on to great things, both in their professional and personal lives. They have made us proud to be a part of their journey.
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ACHIEVING GREAT THINGS:
THE SUCCESSES OF OUR FORMER INTERNS
We are proud of the achievements of our former interns. We have seen them go on to great things, both in their professional and personal lives. They have made us proud to be a part of their journey.
NAYRA GREEN
FALL 2021 – SPRING 2022
One of our former interns, Nayra, is now interning for organizations overseas in London! She is working on finishing her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Middle East Studies at the University of Utah.
EMMA FRANCIS
FALL 2022 – SPRING 2023
Another former intern, Emma, will be interning with the office of Senator Mitt Romney of Utah in Washington starting Fall 2023! She is working on finishing her undergraduate degree in International Studies with a minor in Middle East Studies at the University of Utah.
It is thanks to the generous contributions of our donors to our internship program that our interns continue to thrive. Donate to our internship program by mailing your check to our offices:
350 E 400 S
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111
Suite #407
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BASKERVILLE INSTITUTE
SUMMER READING LIST
An American Martyr in Persia:
The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville
by Reza Aslan
An International Bibliography of the Iranian Diaspora
by H.E. Chehabi and Amir Sayadabdi
Free on Our Website
Losing Hearts and Minds: American-Iranian Relations and International Education During the Cold War
By Matthew Shannon
Persian Translation
American-Iranian Dialogues: From Constitution to White Revolution, c. 1890s-1960s (New Approaches to International History)
by Matthew Shannon
Women in Place: The Politics of Gender Segregation in Iran
by Nazanin Shahrokni
Politics of Sports in the Middle East
by POMEPS & Georgetown University-Qatar’s Center for International and Regional Studies
Free Download Available
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BASKERVILLE INSTITUTE
SUMMER READING LIST
An American Martyr in Persia:
The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville
by Reza Aslan
An International Bibliography of the Iranian Diaspora
by H.E. Chehabi and Amir Sayadabdi
Free on Our Website
Losing Hearts and Minds: American-Iranian Relations and International Education During the Cold War
By Matthew Shannon
Persian Translation
American-Iranian Dialogues: From Constitution to White Revolution, c. 1890s-1960s (New Approaches to International History)
by Matthew Shannon
Women in Place: The Politics of Gender Segregation in Iran
by Nazanin Shahrokni
Politics of Sports in the Middle East
by POMEPS & Georgetown University-Qatar’s Center for International and Regional Studies
Free Download Available
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CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Make sure to follow the Baskerville Institute on our social media to stay up to date with world news, our events, and what we are working on!
Follow Us On:
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CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Make sure to follow the Baskerville Institute on our social media to stay up to date with world news, our events, and what we are working on!
Follow Us On:
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DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know know that the city of Tabriz in northwestern Iran that has been a significant center of culture, commerce, and politics for centuries. It serves as the capital of East Azerbaijan Province and has a population of over 2 million people? Tabriz boasts a long and rich history dating back to the 7th century BC. It was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Atropatene and was later ruled by the Sassanid Empire, the Arab Muslims, the Seljuk Turks, the Mongols, the Safavids, and the Qajars. Tabriz held an influential role as a vital center of the Silk Road trade route and served as a major crossroads of cultures. Additionally, it fostered intellectual growth and hosted numerous renowned scholars and poets. In the 19th century, Tabriz emerged as one of the most prominent cities in the Qajar Empire. It played a pivotal role in commerce and industry, being home to a substantial number of Armenians, Jews, and Zoroastrians.
Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, Tabriz transformed into a central hub of opposition against the Islamic government. The city witnessed various large-scale demonstrations and protests, becoming the battleground for intense clashes between the government and the opposition. Presently, Tabriz thrives as a cosmopolitan city with a diverse population. It continues to excel in commerce and industry and houses several esteemed universities and colleges. Moreover, it attracts numerous tourists due to its historical sites, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine.
In 1908, Howard Baskerville, a young American missionary, arrived in Tabriz to teach at the Memorial School. Baskerville ardently advocated for Iranian independence and soon became actively involved in the Constitutional Revolution. Unfortunately, he met his demise on the battlefield in 1909, and today, he is revered as a martyr by many Iranians.
Members of Tabriz City Council pay their respect to Howard Baskerville
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DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know know that the city of Tabriz in northwestern Iran that has been a significant center of culture, commerce, and politics for centuries. It serves as the capital of East Azerbaijan Province and has a population of over 2 million people? Tabriz boasts a long and rich history dating back to the 7th century BC. It was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Atropatene and was later ruled by the Sassanid Empire, the Arab Muslims, the Seljuk Turks, the Mongols, the Safavids, and the Qajars. Tabriz held an influential role as a vital center of the Silk Road trade route and served as a major crossroads of cultures. Additionally, it fostered intellectual growth and hosted numerous renowned scholars and poets. In the 19th century, Tabriz emerged as one of the most prominent cities in the Qajar Empire. It played a pivotal role in commerce and industry, being home to a substantial number of Armenians, Jews, and Zoroastrians.
Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, Tabriz transformed into a central hub of opposition against the Islamic government. The city witnessed various large-scale demonstrations and protests, becoming the battleground for intense clashes between the government and the opposition. Presently, Tabriz thrives as a cosmopolitan city with a diverse population. It continues to excel in commerce and industry and houses several esteemed universities and colleges. Moreover, it attracts numerous tourists due to its historical sites, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine.
In 1908, Howard Baskerville, a young American missionary, arrived in Tabriz to teach at the Memorial School. Baskerville ardently advocated for Iranian independence and soon became actively involved in the Constitutional Revolution. Unfortunately, he met his demise on the battlefield in 1909, and today, he is revered as a martyr by many Iranians.
Members of Tabriz City Council pay their respect to Howard Baskerville
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DONATE
Your tax-deductible donation to the Baskerville Institute will help us build bridges between Americans and Iranians. Support our Baskerville Digital Friendship program, you can help to ensure that future generations of students from both countries have the opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and histories and to build relationships that will last a lifetime. Education is a powerful tool for breaking down barriers and building understanding between cultures.
Send your check to this address: 350 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, Suite #407
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DONATE
Your tax-deductible donation to the Baskerville Institute will help us build bridges between Americans and Iranians. Support our Baskerville Digital Friendship program, you can help to ensure that future generations of students from both countries have the opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and histories and to build relationships that will last a lifetime. Education is a powerful tool for breaking down barriers and building understanding between cultures.
Send your check to this address: 350 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, Suite #407
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THE BASKERVILLE INSTITUTE
Transforming Friendships Across Borders into Engines of Prosperity and Goodwill
The Baskerville Institute is dedicated to promoting, enhancing, and strengthening the bond of friendship between the people of Iran and the people of the United States. By recognizing and incorporating the critical role of people-to-people friendship between Americans and Iranians, we can open the doors for conversations and collaborations that go beyond the state level. With over a century of friendship between them, this history of friendship provides an opportunity to constructively re-imagine, rebuild, and foster bridges to deepen understanding and connections.
The cultural connections between the United States and Iran run deep. Howard C. Baskerville, who sacrificed his life for Iranian constitutionalism in 1909, bestowed to posterity a model of friendship that is relevant today because it provides an alternative to the mutual satanization and perpetual conflict that has defined U.S.-Iran relations since 1979.
The Baskerville Institute builds on its namesake’s legacy to promote understanding and respect between Americans and Iranians. It runs a lecture/webinar series, hosts a digital archive, supports research fellows and student interns, publishes a newsletter and translation projects, organizes cultural exhibitions and educational programs, and otherwise facilitates bridge-building between Americans and Iranians. The non-profit Baskerville Institute is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and draws on the experiences and expertise of individuals around the United States and across the world.
Newsletter designed and edited by Delara Hosseini (dhosseini@baskervilleinstitute.org)
THE BASKERVILLE INSTITUTE
Transforming Friendships Across Borders into Engines of Prosperity and Goodwill
The Baskerville Institute is dedicated to promoting, enhancing, and strengthening the bond of friendship between the people of Iran and the people of the United States. By recognizing and incorporating the critical role of people-to-people friendship between Americans and Iranians, we can open the doors for conversations and collaborations that go beyond the state level. With over a century of friendship between them, this history of friendship provides an opportunity to constructively re-imagine, rebuild, and foster bridges to deepen understanding and connections.
The cultural connections between the United States and Iran run deep. Howard C. Baskerville, who sacrificed his life for Iranian constitutionalism in 1909, bestowed to posterity a model of friendship that is relevant today because it provides an alternative to the mutual satanization and perpetual conflict that has defined U.S.-Iran relations since 1979.
The Baskerville Institute builds on its namesake’s legacy to promote understanding and respect between Americans and Iranians. It runs a lecture/webinar series, hosts a digital archive, supports research fellows and student interns, publishes a newsletter and translation projects, organizes cultural exhibitions and educational programs, and otherwise facilitates bridge-building between Americans and Iranians. The non-profit Baskerville Institute is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and draws on the experiences and expertise of individuals around the United States and across the world.
Newsletter designed and edited by Delara Hosseini (dhosseini@baskervilleinstitute.org)