About Us – BolBol

We open a doorway to Persian culture and language for anyone who is interested.

We are a warm and welcoming space where children and adults, with any level of Persian can feel included and have fun. We use different forms of art, such as music, painting, theater and dance, to enhance your curiosity and facilitate learning.

Our community is made up of families with mixed heritages who are looking to connect with their Persian roots and learn to speak Farsi.

We strongly believe in delivering a brain-based program that follows the latest research on learning and use experienced teachers and professional artists to realize our vision. Our curriculum is inspired by Montessori and Waldorf philosophy, making it immersive and multi-sensory to meet every learner’s needs.

BolBol School

Board Members:

Fereshteh Bagherimiyab Hunkeler

Fereshteh Bagherimiyab Hunkeler is the President and Founder/ Director of the Bolbol School. Fereshteh has a PhD in Environmental Engineering from EPFL in Switzerland and a Post Doctorate in Environmental Science from the University of Waterloo, Canada. As an Environmental Scientist, she wanted to do something meaningful, to create sustainable changes and to make this world a better place.

Fereshteh’s international life led her to appreciate the diversity in the world and the importance of preserving her heritage. Fereshteh introduced her Swiss husband and daughter to formal Farsi lessons at the Parsayan School in Lausanne and soon joined the school as Board member and Co-Director. In 2018 she moved to Zurich and founded Parsayan School Zurich as there were no Persian classes in her area. Soon Fereshteh’s vision broadened to include more cultural elements such as music, theater and art. She valued lessons that are founded on current pedagogical methods. This new vision deserved a new name, a new mission, a new school. Bolbol School was unveiled in 2021.

Leily Zarian

Leily Zarian is the member of the Bolbol School Zurich. Leily is a Coach and Organizational Development Consultant. She has an Advanced Master’s degree in Cognitive and Intercultural Psychology from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. She is a Certified ICA/ICF Coach who is passionate about helping people and organizations reach their full potential and succeed.

Leily is passionate about Persian art and literature and has joined Fereshteh in creating a space that encompasses all the different facets of Persian culture. A space that allows transnational families to bridge their culture gaps.

Shahrooz Aziminia

Shahrooz Aziminia is the Curriculum Development Director. Shahrooz grew up among international students in Switzerland and moved to the US over 20 years ago. She received her BA in Psychology from Drew University and is an AMS certified Montessori educator. She has over 20 years experience as a Montessori teacher and has developed various Enrichment Programs, Curriculums and led teacher and parent trainings. She continues to grow in her field by staying current on the latest research in child development and brain science. Shahrooz is excited to join Fereshteh and Leily at Bolbol School Zurich and their mission to create a space where learning is fun and inspiring.

Teachers and collaborators

Fereshteh

Fereshteh, originally from Mashhad, has been residing in Switzerland since 2012. Her academic background is in computer science, but her life took a turn when she became a mother to her daughter. This life-changing experience sparked her interest in working with children. She has discovered a passion for connecting with kids and loves teaching them new things, particularly about Persian culture and language from her homeland.

Fereshteh is thrilled to be part of the exceptional and innovative environment of Bolbol School, where she can play the role of a teacher, giving her students the opportunity to explore Iranian culture through interactive games and captivating stories.

Shahrzad

Shahrzad is a dance instructor in three public schools in Zurich. She also directs Iranian Dance workshops for Iranian women. For many years Shahrzad taught the Orff Approach to children. The Orff Approach uses music, drama, speech and movement to teach music in a playful way. You can also find Shahrzad on Radio Payke, presenting Persian culture with her friends. Shahrzad is excited to join Bolbol school and bring dance, rhythm and music together to create fun choreographies that celebrate Persian culture.

Nemat

Nemat is a singer/ song-writer who is passionate about music, poetry and Persian culture. He brings his Waldorf teaching experience to his music classes, connecting students to the rhythm of Persian language through songs, nursery rhymes and poetry. When he is not teaching, Nemat is often performing at different events and is excited to be a part of the Bolbol School mission and community.

Neda

Neda was born in Tehran, Iran. She received her Bachelor in teaching English as a second language and her Master in Linguistics (the study of languages) from Tehran University. Teaching is her passion. Neda has years of experience as a teacher in both public and private schools in Iran. Through her Master study, she developed her interest in comparative linguistics (the study of similarities and differences between languages) which was her important motivation to become a Persian language teacher for children and adults in Switzerland. Neda is delighted to share her professional expertise with Bolbol School students.

Hossein

Hossein is a professional musician, educator, and cultural producer with dual Master’s degrees in Cultural Management and History from France. Deeply trained in classical Persian music—including setâr, kamântché, percussion, and traditional vocals—he has spent years performing internationally and teaching students of all ages.

Hossein joined Bolbol School because he passionately believes in the school’s mission to teach language through artistic and multi-sensory experiences. With a strong background in running multicultural music programs for children in Geneva, Hossein is dedicated to making Persian language and cultural history come alive for our students through music, storytelling, and creative collaboration.

Elika

Elika was born and raised in Tehran. After high school she migrated to Switzerland where she studied Art History and Near Eastern Studies at the University of Zurich, followed by a PhD in Islamic Art with a focus on Iran.

Since 2018 she is lecturer of Persian language and culture at the University of Bern and at the University of Zurich. In her function as research assistant, she investigates Iranian art objects at several museums. She is an active member of cultural associations like the Swiss Association of Iranian Academics in Zurich and the Swiss Society of Middle East and Islamic Cultures. Her passion is teaching Persian language and culture and is excited to join Bolbol’s team.

Neda was born in Tehran, Iran. She received her Bachelor in teaching English as a foreign language and her Master in Linguistics (the study of languages) from Tehran Azad University. Teaching is her passion. Neda has years of experience as a teacher in both public and private schools in Iran. Through her Master study, she developed her interest in comparative linguistics (the study of similarities and differences between languages) which was not the only motivation but a very important one to become a Persian language teacher for children and adults in Switzerland. She is delighted to share her professional expertise with her Bolbol school students.

Design by Studio Mellli I 2021 & Developed by kirranbatool