Iranians celebrate Persian New Year amid war in Middle East

As the conflict continues in the Middle East, local Iranians gathered in Sir Winston Churchill Square to mark Persian New Year.

While Friday marked Persian New Year, Iranians gathered at Churchill Square Sunday to celebrate Nowruz 2585.

The celebration also marked the arrival of spring.

“It’s the beginning of the new year, spring, and we’re here to celebrate the Persian tradition,” said Fatima Kahedi at the event. “But this year is with a heavy heart … We are keeping the tradition, but at the same time, we’re very sad about everything that’s happening back home.”

Kahedi acknowledged the three young Iranian men who were hanged in Qom Thursday by the current regime.

Event organizer Isa Parsi said Nowruz 2585 symbolizes renewal.

“We are hoping to have a better future in Iran with no Islamic occupation,” said Parsi. “This regime is dangerous, not only to our people in Iran, but also the region and the entire world … That’s why we are fighting.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti