Little Iran Is Toronto’s Newest Cultural District
Toronto’s Iranian community marked a historic milestone this Thanksgiving weekend as the city officially inaugurated Little Iran, its newest cultural district, in North York.
Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Lily Cheng (Willowdale) and MP Ali Ehsassi joined hundreds of Persian-Canadians at Centre Park to unveil the new Little Iran sign.
“On this Thanksgiving weekend, I want to show my gratitude to the Iranian community for coming together and celebrating,” said Mayor Chow. “Today is really a historic day.”
The afternoon celebration filled Centre Park with live music, Persian food and desserts, traditional dance, and art exhibits. Plans are already underway to add a Persian garden to the park, symbolizing beauty, poetry, and community connection.
Afkham Mardukhi, president of the Intercultural Iranian Canadian Resource Centre, called the designation deeply meaningful.
“We really feel we have two homes,” she said. “It’s another layer of belonging and recognition by Canadians.”
For many, Little Iran feels like a homecoming. Maral Esmaeili, a volunteer with the Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario, said the district captures the warmth of Iran.
“It’s the same feeling, the same language, the same culture,” she said. “I invite everyone from every background to come celebrate with us.”
Attendee Mahsa Mortazavi said she had always hoped Toronto would recognize the thriving Iranian community the way it celebrates other cultural hubs like Little Italy and Chinatown.
“Over the years, I’ve seen the Iranian community thrive and become a reliable part of Canadian society,” she said.
For long-time business owners, the recognition is long overdue. Sam Fayaz, whose family has run a Persian grocery store in the area for 35 years, said the neighbourhood has always been known informally as Little Iran.
“This is as close as you’re going to get to the actual country,” he said. “It’s going to bring the community closer and help more people learn about Persian culture.”
