Nowruz Celebration:

Nowruz, the Persian new year, is celebrated on March 20th in many countries around the world with Persian influence, including Afghanistan. The Hazara-American community celebrates Nowruz every year, and Bamyan Foundation in collaboration with the Hazara-American association organized this year’s the Nowruz celebration on March 20th.

About 330 community members attended the event that included programs for adults and children such as poetry, music, dance, games for children and presenting gifts for the children.  

Many of the attendees were recent evacuees who caught up with members of the diaspora. This event was a productive avenue to cement relations in a fun ambiance over elevating conversations and swapping of happy stories and to momentarily forget the stress and challenges of starting new. One of the main goals of organizing such events is to create an atmosphere of friendship and bonding to foster a sense of community. 

It is part of the Nowruz tradition to have a traditionally designed sufra (tablecloth for lack of better term) with customary food with roots in traditions. Families take photos by the sufra to mark the moment, and pray for their families and loved ones’ success and happiness. In the end, all of the families pose together for a group photo. This simple tradition results to interactions and bonding that brings families closer and foster relationships.

All of the participants took part in the purchase and preparation of the food for the event.

According to participants – this event was one of the memorable ones in a while as everyone enjoyed the food, music, dance and the programs for children.