Winnipeg's Iranian community celebrates Persian New Year, shows solidarity with people in home country

Iranians living in Winnipeg are ringing in the Persian New Year with music, dance and messages of solidarity with people fighting for rights in their home country.

"While we understand the importance of respecting and preserving our legacy, we are also keeping our voice up regarding the situation in Iran," said Arian Arianpour, president of the Iranian Community of Manitoba.

"Happiness is a part of the Iranian culture, but also we are people who have fought for freedom for many, many years."

More than 300 people gathered at CanadInns on Pembina Highway Saturday night to commemorate Nowruz, an ancient Persian celebration meaning "new day" that coincides with the spring equinox when the sun crosses the celestial equator and night and day are equal in length.

It symbolizes renewal, and promotes peace, kindness and reconciliation values Arianpour says "we need in the world today more than ever" as tensions in the Middle East continue to persist.

"We stand in solidarity with people of Iran who are not fighting just for their own rights, but for universal values. A better Iran means a better Middle East, and a better Middle East means a better world," he said.

'It gives you hope'

For Hamid Nasrinpour, celebrating Nowruz in Winnipeg doesn't feel exactly the same as what it was like to celebrate back home in Iran.

"Back there, you really feel that it's spring, or the treesstart to blossom. You see that life is back into everything. So that's such a good feeling. It gives you hope," he told CBC News at the event on Saturday.

Nasrinpour, who moved from Iran to Winnipeg 12 years ago, hasfond memories of commemorating the festival at home.

"Everywhere is crowded. So that's the big difference to me. It's just more widespread. Everybody's pumped, happy," he said.

Nasrinpour saidhe's happy to celebrate with the city's growing number of Iranian immigrants, who also are concerned about conflict in Iran.

"It's nice that these people are there, that maybe not necessarily you could talk about this thing to someone else who is from a different culture," said Nasrinpour.