Another fresh new year is here . . .Another year to live!To banish worry, doubt, and fear,To love and laugh and give! *.Happy Holidays and New Year.CafeLitt is closed for two weeks. Meanwhile, we are changing our web layout. Check it out and give us your comments!For our future programs check the PDF file: January Program... more >>

Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1 July 1646 [OS: 21 June] - 14 November 1716) was a German philosopher, polymath and mathematician who wrote primarily in Latin and French. He occupies a grand place in both the history of philosophy and the history of mathematics. He invented infinitesimal calculus independently of Newton, and his notation has been in general use since then. He also invented the binary system, the foundation of virtually all modern computer architectures. In philosophy, he is mostly remembered for optimism, i.e. his conclusion that our universe is, in a restricted sense, the best possible one God could have made. He was, along with René Descartes and Baruch Spinoza, one of the three greatest 17th-century rationalists and anticipates... more >>

As you better may know, the twelve session program of "Iranian Cinema Through the Ages", our monthly video screening sessions at "CaféCinema" is already over!  However, we at CaféCinema would pleasurably like to announce that we will have two more special sessions. The first one with the honorable presence of Professor Peter Rist, the former chair of "The Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema" at Concordia University as the presenter will be Abbas Kiarostami's masterpiece "Bad ma ra khahad bord" (1999), aka "The Wind Will Carry Us". To avoid overlapping the Christmas holidays, exceptionally this session will not be on the last Sunday of the month; it will be held on Sunday 20 Dec 2009 instead.  Peter Rist's (Professor,Ph.D., New York... more >>

What makes Iranian Civilization unique is the fact that Iranians synthesized their Indo-Europen legacy with the Near Eastern and Mesopotamian traditions. In this session of Cafelit, Behzad is going to talk about the Near Eastern Gods and deities. During the case studies, the impact of Mesopotamian mythologies on Iranian civilization will be discussed. The case studies would be "Divine Radiance" (هاله نور) and the Lion and Sun motif. In the second part of his talk. He is going to talk about the development of the lion and sun motif during Safavids, Qajars and Pahlavis.... more >>

The Methodology of the Critical Thinking and the Emergence of Political Theory Modeling in Iran: why? What? and How? روش شناسی نقادی و مدل سازی سیاسی در ایران: چرایی، چیستی و چگونگی In a first part: Mr. Dizbony will offer a definition of the nature,  components and procedure of the critical thinking. In the second part he will discuss the challenges of the political theory building in the contemporary Iran.Read MoreFor more information check these files.Changing Approach to the Text les intellectuels iraniens et l'Islam(publication finale)New Religiosity IranModernities IranNewIntellectuals Iran... more >>

Human societies very early came to the realization that in the process of creation and development of their identities, world views and cultures, continuity in time, space, and generations plays a major role. Consequently they recognized that memory, collective memory, as a cultural tool is one the vehicles of assuring such continuity between the past, present and ultimately the future. Collective memory is understood as a dynamic and ever changing mean of creation, conservation and transmission of their ideas, ideals, knowledge, experiences, events, interactions, values and views in time and space. Oral history, artistic creations, everyday objects, and places, architecture, monuments and heritage, tangible and intangible, are considered as privileged carriers of collective memory. In this presentation I will explore... more >>

CaféLitt is not a place; it is a gathering of minds. We are a group of mostly Persian young students, scholars and professionals who gather every Thursday evening around 19h00 in a café to discuss various subjects and share different ideas, ranging vastly from history to science, from literature to fine arts. We started these gatherings on Jan 18th, 2007. Each week, one of us takes the responsibility of presenting a topic (in Persian, English or French) for about an hour in a subject s/he is intimately familiar with or has an expertise in. Afterwards, the evening turns into a discussion forum and all members of the audience will have an opportunity to ask their question(s) and share their points of view.
CaféLitt is open to all comments, suggestion, collaboration and new ideas. CaféLitt provides an unparalleled opportunity for learning about culture, science and philosophy in a relaxed and friendly environment, and for sharing your knowledge and expertise with like-minded members of your community.
CaféLitt is officially registered as a non-profitable group and is a nonpartisan, nonreligious and nonpolitical entity.