As spring arrives, many communities around the world mark the arrival with the celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
Observed for more than 3,000 years, Nowruz marks the first day of spring and symbolizes renewal, reflection and connection, as Nowruz translates to “new day.” Nowruz, which can also be spelled as Nauryz, is celebrated across Iran, Central Asia and parts of the Middle East, and brings communities together as they embark on this renewal, including students at the University.
On campus, many students who celebrate Nowruz continue their traditions from home. Some students begin preparations for Nowruz days before with Chaharshanbe Suri, held on the eve of Nowruz. Chaharshanbe Suri originates from Zoroastrian tradition, and centers around fire as one of the four elements of Zoroastrian faith. This tradition involves jumping over a fire, which symbolizes jumping from the darkness of winter into the lightness of spring.
“That’s one of the most iconic traditions,” said Vesal Razavimaleki, graduate student studying physics and treasurer of the Iranian Cultural Association. “Jumping over a fire and saying, ‘I leave my sickness with the fire, and I take the warmth of that fire.’”
Chaharshanbe Suri leads into the day of Nowruz itself, where people celebrate alongside family and friends with a traditional meal, often including dishes like sabzi polo ba mahi, a herbal rice dish with fish. For students far from home, these gatherings take on a new form.
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“A lot of students get together with their close friends on Nowruz, myself included,” Razavimaleki said. “We get together, we share a meal together, and that’s kind of the temporary replacement for having a family.”
According to Razavimaleki, one common tradition during Nowruz is to create a haft sin, a table spread which consists of seven items that start with the letter “sin.” The core items in a haft sin include sabzeh (wheat sprouts), samanu (sweet pudding), senjed (wild olives), sonbol (hyacinth), sib (apple), sekkeh (coins) and serkeh (vinegar). Each of these seven items represents a different trait, including rebirth, sweetness, love, fragrance, beauty, wealth and immortality. For some students, creating a haft-sin on campus looks different from how it usually does.
“I’ve heard of students putting together small haft-seens in their apartment using whatever fruit, candles, coins and other items we may have,” said Mohaddaseh Barghamadi, junior in LAS. “The creativity makes it feel special.”
The haft sin remains on display for the next 13 days, as visits with family and friends continue. Nowruz then concludes with Sizdah Bedar, when people go out for picnics and enjoy the fresh spring air.
While Nowruz is widely associated with Iranian traditions, it is also celebrated across Central Asia, including countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan. On Friday, the Central Asian Association hosted a Nowruz event, where students could commemorate Nowruz with dances, food and other cultural activities.
During this event, attendees participated in games and communal gatherings. Gulshat Baispay, research scholar, prepared a presentation on Nowruz traditions in Kazakhstan, including shashu, a tradition where elders throw sweets, coins, or small treats, as it symbolizes making your life sweet. Other traditions include Aitys, which is a poetry competition. After the presentation, a cultural dance was performed, with an opportunity to learn a traditional dance. Traditional foods were also served at this event, including baursak (fried sourdough) and manti (beef dumplings). Baispay emphasized that sharing food remains central to the holiday, noting that distributing dishes among classmates symbolizes sharing happiness.
“You always share (food) with your classmates and groupmates,” said Gulshat Baispay, research scholar. “Sharing is always good, because you are sharing happiness.”
Despite the festive celebrations on campus, observing Nowruz away from home can feel different for students.
“Staying connected is a big part of Nowruz too,” Barghamadi said. “Calling family right when New Year hits, sending pictures and texting Nowruz Mobarak to friends adds to the sense of connection. It can feel a little sad being away from home, but it can also make you appreciate it more.”
This year, some Iranian students faced additional challenges because of ongoing internet blackouts in Iran. Many students typically stay in close contact with family at the beginning of Nowruz, but communication becomes more limited. While families in Iran were able to place calls to the United States, students abroad could not reach them directly, making it harder to maintain typical holiday connections.
Even with these challenges, students continue to preserve the spirit of Nowruz, whether recreated in dorm rooms or celebrated outdoors, and they continue to maintain a sense of continuity and cultural identity.
“Especially for students who are here in the U.S. on campus, we want to keep that alive,” Razamaleki said. “These holidays, especially Nowruz, are a great opportunity for us to come together as a diaspora community here.”
