About Us

Who We Are

Bonyad Ashna · Munich, Germany

Bonyad Ashna, also known as Ashna Kulturstiftung München and in Persian as بنیاد فرهنگی آشنا and بنیاد آشنا, has been active since 2000. Based in Munich, we are committed to making Iranian culture more visible, strengthening intercultural dialogue, and promoting educational work on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

As a charitable initiative, we promote international understanding, arts and culture, education, and civic engagement. Our aim is to build bridges between the Iranian diaspora and German society and to create spaces where cultural identity, open exchange, and social responsibility come together.

Our work includes cultural events such as Nowruz celebrations, concerts, readings, film evenings, and exhibitions. We also organize lectures, seminars, and workshops on democracy, human rights, Iranian history, and intercultural dialogue.

Another important focus is publications, digital content, and guidance for members of the Iranian diaspora in Germany. This is complemented by public outreach, cooperation with associations, foundations, institutions, and networks in Germany and abroad, as well as support for civic initiatives in favor of freedom, democracy, and human rights in Iran.

Bonyad Ashna sees culture not only as a memory of origin, but as a living force for the future, for social cohesion, and for democratic development. Our orientation is culturally rooted, humanitarian, secular, democratic, and non-partisan.

The foundation of our work is a clear and responsible structure consisting of the general assembly, the executive board, and the advisory council. This structure ensures transparency, continuity, and long-term direction.

A special role belongs to the founder, Majid Rahimi, who is recognized in the statutes as the founder and intellectual originator of the initiative and who serves as permanent chair of the advisory council. This continuity protects the core direction of the association and is intended to safeguard the mission of Bonyad Ashna over the long term.

Bonyad Ashna stands for dialogue instead of exclusion, for cultural dignity instead of forgetting, and for an engaged community that takes responsibility in Munich, in Germany, and beyond.