Discovering Islamic Calligraphy: the Art of Beautiful Writing

Date: Saturday, September 23, 1–6 pm
Price: This activity is FREE for festival visitors.
The Toronto International Festival of Authors will take place at the Harbourfront Centre, located at: 235 Queens Quay West

Join Aga Khan Museum Educators at a special off-site experience in collaboration with the Toronto International Festival of Authors.

Visit us at the festival and watch Persian master calligraphers Laleh Rasaee and Farhad Vatandoost in action. Marvel at the beauty of traditional Islamic calligraphy and discover the fundamentals of the most esteemed art form in the Muslim world. 

Under the guidance of the Aga Khan Museum’s skilled Educators, you will get a closer look at objects and stories from the Museum's Collections that connect with the art of calligraphy and have the opportunity to try your hand at zoomorphic calligraphy. 

This hands-on activity is perfect for children and families of all ages.

To learn more about the festival and how to purchase a festival pass, visit festivalofauthors.ca.

About the Toronto International Festival of Authors

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) inspires and connects through the art of stories, offering book lovers a breadth of bold, ambitious and accessible literary experiences. As Canada’s largest literary festival, the charitable organization provides engaging opportunities to meet, hear and learn from the world’s best authors and artists across the range of literary genres and to celebrate the power of stories.

About Laleh Rasaee

A certified Persian calligrapher, instructor, and Senior Creative Lead, Laleh Rasaee has been teaching for 22 years. She has participated in numerous international solo and group exhibitions in Iran, France, and Canada. She has been conducting the Persian Calligrapher's Association of Toronto since 2011 and is a co-founder of Chalipa the Centre of Art and Culture, a non-profit organization focused on promoting Persian art and culture through Persian calligraphy and other Book-making Arts.

About Farhad Vatandoost

With 25 years of teaching experience, Farhad Vatandoost is a Persian Calligraphy artist and instructor. Since graduating from the Persian Calligrapher's Association of Iran, he has participated in and attended several national and international group exhibitions in Iran, Dubai, and Canada. Vatandoost is also a co-founder of Chalipa the Centre of Art and Culture, a non-profit organization focused on promoting Persian art and culture through music, art, and calligraphy lessons.