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Members of Regina’s Persian community gathered this week to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, while also honouring those they say lost their lives during recent violence in Iran.
The event blended celebration with remembrance, highlighting a cultural tradition that dates back thousands of years while also reflecting the political turmoil many Iranians say their homeland is facing today.
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Soheil Vosta, one of the organizers, said the celebration carries deep meaning, especially this year.
“This year is kind of special for us,” Vosta said. “Many families actually lost their members, their brother, sister, their children, their relatives. But even in sadness, people still have hope in their hearts.”
A memorial display honours individuals who lost their lives during unrest in Iran as part of a Nowruz celebration at the University of Regina. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Nowruz, celebrated on the first day of spring, usually March 20 or 21, marks the beginning of the Persian calendar year and is considered one of the most important cultural holidays in Iranian history.
The tradition stretches back more than 4,000 years, predating Islam and reflecting ancient Persian customs centred on renewal, light and the arrival of spring.
“We celebrate because this is the start of spring,” Vosta said. “It’s about light overcoming darkness.”
At the centre of the celebration was the traditional “Haft-Seen” table, an arrangement of seven symbolic items whose names begin with the Persian letter “S.”
A traditional Haft-Seen table is displayed during a Nowruz celebration at the University of Regina. The table includes symbolic items representing health, renewal, prosperity and the arrival of spring during the Persian New Year. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
The items represent different hopes for the coming year, including health, prosperity, renewal and happiness.
Community members also incorporated a memorial element into this year’s event.
Photos of people who were killed during recent unrest in Iran were placed near the display, while organizers planned to read the names of some victims during the gathering.
“It’s kind of a memorial for them,” Vosta said. “We cannot call all the names, but we selected some. People remember them and honour them.”
Photos of people organizers say were killed during recent unrest in Iran are displayed during a Nowruz gathering at the University of Regina. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Despite the sombre tone, organizers said celebrating Nowruz remains important for preserving culture, especially for younger generations living outside Iran.
“The new year for us means a fresh start,” Vosta said. “Families plant seeds weeks before the new year and watch them grow. It shows that something new is coming.”
He said that symbolism carries particular weight during a time when many Iranians around the world hope for change.
“For me and my family, the best day of the year is Nowruz,” he said. “Everything is changing: the season, the weather, the trees start to blossom.
“We hope the same thing happens for our country.”
A memorial display honours individuals who lost their lives during unrest in Iran as part of a Nowruz celebration at the University of Regina.(Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
The event also featured cultural displays, traditional symbols and items connected to Iranian history.
Organizers said they hoped the gathering would help people in Regina learn more about Persian heritage and provide a space for the local community to come together.
“Iran is a great nation with thousands of years of history,” Vosta said. “We want people to know our culture and celebrate it.”
As spring approaches, Vosta said, Nowruz serves as a reminder that renewal is always possible.
“After darkness, light always comes,” he said.
