Between love and duty stands Massoud Karimaei, an Iranian-Canadian calligrapher and engineer.
He was recently honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, one of four from North Vancouver to receive the award.
Born and raised in Iran, Karimaei learned the art of calligraphy from his father at a young age. Despite working in construction project management, his heart remains devoted to calligraphy, which he continues to nurture as a hobby and a cultural contribution.
“My father had excellent handwriting, and when I was a child, he taught me calligraphy,” he said. “It feels like calligraphy is in our family’s DNA.”
Karimaei officially began learning the art more than four decades ago, in 1981.
“My father enrolled me in a calligraphy class. However, calligraphy is not my profession; it’s more of a hobby,” he explained.
Despite his passion for calligraphy, he pursued a different career, holding a master’s degree in construction project management and working in investment, development, and management in construction projects as a licensed builder.
His work and his hobby provide balance in his life, he said.
“Today, my approach to construction projects is influenced by the delicacy of calligraphy.”
After immigrating to Canada, he found more time to focus on his hobby. In 2008, he successfully registered the Iranian Calligraphers Association of North America (ICANA) in Vancouver, which became the first and only official ICA representative in North America. “We began holding calligraphy classes on the North Shore,” he said. “It took time for people to become familiar with them, but the students found the courses rewarding. At the end of each program, after passing exams, they would receive a certificate. Additionally, by identifying Iranian calligraphy artists across North America, we were able to expand our classes.”
Soon, artists from other fields in Iran also reached out, proposing courses in Persian storytelling, music, and acting. Since 2010, the space originally designated for teaching calligraphy has evolved into a center for enthusiasts of various other arts.
“At the Persian Culture and Art Institute (PERCAI), we held a storytelling class with Mohammad Mohammadali, one of our most successful courses over the past decade’” said Karimaei. “He trained many talented writers.”
Mohammadali passed away at the age of 75 in Vancouver on Sept. 14, 2023. He authored dozens of novels and short stories in Farsi.
Saeed Farajpuri and Parviz Nazakti, both prominent figures in traditional Iranian music, encouraged Karimaei to establish PERCAI.
“We also conducted an acting class led by Mahtab Nasirpour, an Iranian actress, and Mohammad Rahmanian, an Iranian director. Some of the students have since pursued acting careers in Iran,” Karimaei added. This continued until 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world.
“After the restrictions were lifted, I focused more on construction projects, but calligraphy classes continue to be taught by other instructors,” he said.
He mentioned that students from various communities, including American, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Afghan, and Canadian, have been learning the art of calligraphy at the institute.
In addition to his work with the association and the institute, he has been an active member of the board of directors of the Society of Iranian Canadian Professionals of British Columbia (SICAP).
At a ceremony held in September at The Polygon Gallery, North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Bowinn Ma presented him with the Coronation Medal, an honour commemorating the crowning of His Majesty King Charles III. The medal was launched by Governor General Mary Simon, and was awarded to 30,000 people who have made significant contributions across Canada.
The North Vancouver recipients also included Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Elder Xele’milh-Doris Paul, former City of North Vancouver mayor Darrell Mussatto, and Mike Danks, fire chief for the District of North Vancouver and former North Shore Rescue team leader.
When MLA Bowinn Ma contacted him about the award, Karimaei initially declined.
“I said there are many deserving individuals in the Iranian community, and I even suggested some names, but there was no possibility of replacement.”
Hamid Jafari is a Vancouver-based freelance journalist who writes about the Iranian community in Canada, art, culture, and social media trends. He has done two placements with the North Shore News that were supported by New Canadian Media. [email protected]
