The fact Calgary remains under a blanket of snowfall did little to dampen the spirits of the members of the University of Calgary’s Persian Gulf Club and Afghan Canadian Students’ Association during Friday’s celebration of spring’s arrival.
Approximately 600 Afghan and Iranian students attend classes at the post-secondary institution and the 2014 event was the first time members from the two groups came together to celebrate Nowruz, the traditional arrival of spring, in the MacEwan Student Centre.
“It’s the most important festival of the year in Iran,” explains Galnoush Hassanpour, a member of the Persian Gulf Club. “Spring is all about rebirth and renewal whereas winter is about death.”
“The purpose of this event is to introduce it to Canadians so they can celebrate it with us.”
Sarah Amiry, president of the Afghan Canadian Students Association, says the joint celebration makes perfect sense given the similarities of the Irani and Aghan people
“We have so much in common,” said Amiry. “Our cultures are so similar and we speak the same language.”
“We’re really glad to be sharing this rich and diverse and really lively culture with the rest of the University of Calgary campus.”
Friday’s event included traditional dance and musical performances meant to welcome in the ancient New Year of the Afghan and Iranian people.
“We are super glad that the Afghan Canadian Students’ Association and the Persian Gulf Club are collaborating,” said Amiry. “Bringing the Afghan and Irani cultures together is super important and we’re really glad to be sharing this very similar and diverse culture with everybody here on campus.”
The event included the setting of the Haft-Seen, a traditional table filled with items representing desires for prosperity, health, love, fertility, patience and wisdom.
Organizers were pleased with Friday’s student turnout and plans are underway for next year’s celebration of Nowruz.
