Iranian and Afghan communities bring Nowruz celebration to Washington DC government

On a warm spring day, city government officials and employees in Washington, DC got a taste of Nowruz, the Persian new year, which marks the beginning of the spring season.

On Tuesday, in the atrium of Washington DC's municipal building, which includes the mayor's office, members of the city's Iranian and Afghan communities put together a traditional arrangement for the holiday.

"I think it's lovely. It's great to share traditions and expose DC residents to all aspects of our diverse community," Matt Frumin, a DC council member, who stopped by the holiday display after a budget meeting, told The New Arab, adding that he recently celebrated the Hindu holidays of Diwali and Holi for the first time.

"The District is a magical place of people from all over the world, and we should celebrate that in every way," he said, after talking with organisers and eating Persian sweets.

On a table were displayed Persian symbols of the new year, together called haft-seen, seven symbols of the new year starting with the letter S. These are sabze (sprouting green grass) for rebirth, sumac ( a common herb in the Middle East) symbolising the sunrise, seer (garlic) for health, senjed (oleaster olives) for love, seeb (apple) for beauty, samanu (wheat germ sweet pudding) for strength, and serkeh (vinegar) for patience.

In addition to symbols beginning with the letter S were other traditional items on the table for the holiday - a book to symbolise wisdom (a collection of poetry by the Persian poet Hafiz), a candle as a symbol of enlightenment, a mirror for self-reflection, a small bowl of coins for prosperity, and coloured glass eggs to symbolise fertility. Many believe this is how the tradition of painted Easter eggs started.

Several non-traditional but relevant decorations that were included on the table were a Washington, DC map and an image of the Capitol, as well as calligraphy reading, "Woman, Life, Freedom," the slogan of the ongoing human rights and democracy demonstrations in Iran.

Last year, Washington, DC's city council voted unanimously to recognise the holiday, a major feat for a community that has long been low profile. The resolution notes that the 3,000-year-old holiday is celebrated by more than 300 million people spanning from Eastern Europe to the Far East and in diaspora communities throughout the world.

The Iranian Americans who helped draft the resolution made sure to include Afghans, whose population has increased significantly since the US-led military withdrawal in 2021.

Razia Mahrami, who came to the US from Ghazni in Afghanistan six years ago, brought her home country's version of the holiday spread. Haft-Mevi is seven dried fruits and nuts, which are soaked in water and then eaten in small bowls.

"In Afghanistan, this is the best holiday," she told TNA.

For Bijan Nekoie, the son of an Iranian who left several years after the 1979 revolution and who grew up in the rural state of Maine, having a vibrant community in the Washington, DC area means a lot.

"This is special for me," he told TNA. "Growing up, I didn't know anyone who would do this."

Looking around at the tables of decorations, fruits, baklava and cookies, as the event wrapped up, he said, "It's such an important part of my life and my family's. My aunt would say, 'No matter what happens, you need to make sure you continue these traditions."