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Mehrdad Ariannejad

Mehrdad Ariannejad has made preservation and revitalization of Iranian art and culture his life mission. Over the last 20 years, while working full-time as a Computer Engineer at IBM Canada, he has taken up the leadership role in numerous non-profit organizations and initiatives devoted to the promotion of Iranian culture and intellectual heritage within academia, the Iranian community, and the larger Canadian society. Mehrdad is one of the authors of Charter 91, a document that seeks to unite Iranians around a potential charter of rights.

One of the most influential initiatives led by Mehrdad is Tirgan, where he currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Tirgan festival is the largest celebration of Iranian art and culture in the world, held in Toronto since 2008.

Mehrdad is the recipient of many awards for humanitarian and community service and promoting culture and social justice, including the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada award and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal. In 2016, he left IBM to pursue his life passion. He holds a master’s degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto.

Become a Sponsor
Sponsoring Tirgan means more than supporting an event, it means investing in the world’s leading platforms for Iranian arts, culture, and community. Your partnership helps amplify underrepresented voices, preserve cultural heritage, create meaningful cross-cultural dialogue, and bring together thousands through shared artistic and cultural experiences. By partnering with Tirgan, your brand becomes part of a movement that fosters unity, representation, and collective resilience at a time when cultural connection matters more than ever.
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Our Impact
More than a festival—Tirgan is a global cultural platform shaping connection, identity, and community across generations. The following highlights illustrate the scale, reach, and impact of Tirgan.
20+
Years of operation
1200+
Total Number of programs
1M+
Total number of visitors
5000+
Total number of volunteers
1200+
Total Number of artists and speakers