Each year on the first day of spring, millions of people from diverse communities around the world celebrate the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz. Meaning “new day,” Nowruz is a celebration of new beginnings that has endured as a cultural tradition for thousands of years.
Rooted in Persian and Zoroastrian culture, the ceremonies surrounding Nowruz centre around community and family. For many it is a secular holiday, but it is also celebrated by those from different faiths as a time to release the old and start anew.
Nowruz is not only a time for spring cleaning and communal feasting, it’s also a bright light in dark times. With so much political and social turmoil, Nowruz is an important opportunity to celebrate the diversity that makes our communities stronger; to nurture hope and optimism, and to dispel fear and hatred.
So to OPSEU members and all others celebrating today, Happy Nowruz!