After a two-year pause due to COVID-19, droves of people turned out Tuesday night (March 15) to celebrate spring and usher in Persian New Year at Ambleside Park's annual Chaharshanbeh Suri (Nowruz Fire Festival).
The crowd came out to support and experience the many artists and vendors who were selling Persian food and culture, and jump over the flames to leave behind the past year. With musicians and dancers all in appearance, it was the first major event at Ambleside Park since the start of the pandemic.
“The highlight of the events, of course, the celebration of jumping over fire. This is a celebration in our culture that we have had for thousands of years. People believe that once you jump over the fire, all the bad blood is burned away, and then you start the new year,” Hamiid Najian, from the Iranian-Canadian Congress, said.
Festival organizers also had a bit of luck, as while the forecast called for rain, the festival was held under clear skies.
“The weather was excellent. Normally, we get rain every year, but this year, we were very lucky. The way there was no rain and lots of celebration and lots of music, it was a very successful day,” said Najian.
Even with the mask mandate lifted, many still chose to wear them, Najian said, adding,“Over 50 per cent of people, they were still wearing masks, which was good. They're trying to keep each other safe and themselves. Other people that weren't wearing masks, they were just dancing and having a new normal life. Which was very amazing.”
Other aspects of Nowruz continue at the West Vancouver Memorial Library, with Farsi storytelling, displays, and music happening through March 20.
“We are having another event that is normally two weeks after the new year, because back at home, we have two weeks of celebration. So the first week, the younger generation visits the elder generations' uncles, aunts. And then the second week, the elder generation will visit you back. At the end of the two weeks, everybody goes out of town, so that's the Nature Festival,” said Najian.
Marking the end of Nowruz, Sizdah Bedar (Nature Festival) is scheduled for April 3 at Ambleside Park.
