Golzar

Golzar is an interdisciplinary art and nature collective founded in Berlin by Lea Nassim Tajbakhsh and Zeren Oruc. Our work is rooted in a deep appreciation for urban nature and culture, guided by principles of intersectional environmentalism. Through our main focus on foraging, we explore nature, culture, and environmental justice, aiming to foster a deeper sense of community and connection, particularly for those marginalized within urban spaces.

Drawing from our Iranian and Turkish roots and inspired by the meaning of Golzar—“place abounding in, field, garden” or “rose garden”— we aim to cultivate pathways for knowledge exchange, storytelling, and a sense of comfort and belonging. Nassim is a herbalist and horticulturist with extensive experience in urban gardening and environmental education, and brings practical expertise in working with plants and wild flora. Zeren is an independent curator, artist, and researcher dedicated to exploring and addressing modern issues of ecology, society, and sustainability through decolonial narratives and anti-capitalist theories.

Our journey began with Harvesting Resilience, a series of workshops curated by Zeren as part of Oyoun’s curatorial focus Listening to the Land. These workshops examined the food-land-culture relationship through foraging, guerrilla gardening, and community gardens, challenging mainstream environmentalism and emphasizing indigenous and migrant knowledge systems.

The success and positive feedback from this project highlighted the resonance of our work, strengthening our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and connection with the land and each other. This realization inspired us to form Golzar, which continues our efforts to create meaningful interactions between urban spaces and the natural world.