LOS ANGELES (AP) — After the tragic killings of demonstrators in Iran, Shima Razavi Gacek felt compelled to commemorate the Persian New Year, Nowruz, in a different light this year. Instead of hosting her usual house party, she organized a vigil in a local park in Los Angeles, where attendees remembered the victims by lighting candles and performing the traditional fire-jumping ritual Chaharshanbe Suri.
“It is such a beautiful and joyous time of year,” said Razavi Gacek, who, despite living in the U.S. since she was 5, felt the gravity of the current situation deeply. “This year, it’s not, but we need our community more than ever.”
Many Iranian Americans are commemorating Nowruz this year with mixed emotions, transitioning from celebratory events to quieter, more reflective gatherings. Following a deadly crackdown on protests in Iran earlier this year, numerous communities opted to cancel festivities, while others organized subdued observances marked by flowers, music, and dancing.
Coinciding with these reflections, U.S. and Israeli forces recently attacked Iran, resulting in significant casualties including the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading to escalated tensions in the region.
Nowruz translates to “new day” in Farsi and is celebrated widely from Afghanistan to Turkey. It draws together Iranians of diverse faiths even under regimes that have maintained a general disapproval of the holiday's celebrations.
This year, however, many community events and parties have been scrapped due to the overwhelming sense of grief that has washed over the Iranian diaspora. In places like New York, elderly Iranian American women have canceled their gatherings, with others organizing events focused on health and community support rather than traditional revelry.
Some organizers, however, have sought to adapt and honor the importance of Nowruz while keeping the spirit of resistance alive. A vigil held at New York University included speeches and poems, while in Los Angeles, a concert featuring Iranian artists marked the occasion under the theme “Light Always Prevails.”
Despite the grief, there is a palpable desire to keep the traditions alive. "They want us to be quiet. But we have to talk about our culture," emphasized Hedi Yousefi, who helped organize a bazaar in Manhattan that served as a platform for artistic expression and remembrance for those lost in the recent turmoil.
As communities like Nashville's Kurdish residents prepare events to showcase solidarity across borders, the observance of Nowruz remains a testament to culture, identity, and resilience in the face of adversity.
