Noruz is the Iranian New Year, or the Persian New Year which is celebrated around the world, starting on March 21st. On Saturday March 18th it will be celebrated in Denver at the 12th annual Noruz festival.
Ramina Kashani, co-founder of Colorado Children’s Noruz foundation says she started the foundation and the festival when her children were born, as she felt the need to teach them about where she came from. Now in its 12th year, the festival has grown into an annual celebration where not just Iranian Americans come to celebrate.
“Now we serve more than just the American-Iranian community, we have grown so much that we sell out a venue of more than 500 seats every year.”
Kashani says Noruz is a spiritual holiday, not a religious one. “It celebrates the arrival of Spring and rebirth and nature and many people from different parts of the world celebrate Noruz, for example people from Iraq to Afghanistan, to parts of China, Tajikistan, Indians, Kurds, Azerbaijanis all take part.”
This years celebration is expected to attract people who are eager to learn about other cultures and Kashani says that it’s important now more than ever to have people learn about her culture.
“I think it is even more important for me as the co-founder of this organization to work harder, to bring attention to people that Iranians are not just about terrorism as our President mentions that we are. I would like to teach people about the beauty of Iranian culture, how colorful and how welcoming the people are. It’s about dance, and music and celebration.”
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Denver Noruz Celebration 2017 Maeve Conran
Colorado Children’s Noruz foundation presents Persian New Year celebration, NORUZ 2017, at Infinity Park Event Center this Saturday on March 18 3:00-6:00PM, featuring Noruz crafts, a ceremonial Hasteen table, a Persian bazaar and live traditional music.
You can get the tickets at the facebook page for the Colorado Children’s Noruz foundation page.
