Reader Report: Iranian New Year celebration was a success

NowRuz, the Persian New Year, is the most important and sacred event on the Iranian calendar, dating back millennia.

The holiday is tied directly to the exact moment that planet Earth, our cradle of life and civilization, has her equator passing through the center of the sun — hence the word equinox.

The age-old Iranian traditions, especially NowRuz, have all grown stronger outside of Iran. Perhaps one reason may be that the diaspora has become one of the most successful and highly educated groups in the U.S. This has happened through hard work, care, honesty and keeping their precious culture and traditions — almost like a duty.

This year, the NowRuz celebration in Orange County, just like the previous two years, was organized by a close collaboration of 15 Persian organizations under the Iranian American Community umbrella Group (IAC) and the leadership of Shiva Farivar and Neda Movahed.

The celebration started around 1 p.m. March 27 at the Rose Garden in Bill Barber Park in Irvine and ended at 6 p.m. It was nicely managed and conducted after months of planning.

“The popularity of the Nowruz Festival, now in its third year, lies in its essential goal of bringing people together to celebrate the Persian New Year and the onset of Spring,” Farivar said after the event. “Friends and families gather in a beautiful garden filled with flowers and the scents of Spring, and enjoy dance performances by children and adults, listen to live music, eat great food, drink tea, play backgammon, all in the presence of fellow Iranians and members of the community at large. I am proud to have initiated this event with a group of dedicated people who volunteered their time and energy for months to make this festivity and celebration one that the Iranian community looks forward to every spring.”

NowRuz is, and will remain, all inclusive, free and open to the public. Everyone was welcomed to attend to celebrate the rebirth of Mother Nature.

Following, in no particular order, is a list of the VIPs who attended: Irvine Mayor Steven Choi; Irvine Councilwoman Beth Krom; former Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang; ISUD board members Lauren Brooks, Paul Bokota and Michael Parham; Irvine Planning Commissioner Anthony Ko; Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel; Mission Viejo Councilman Greg Raths; Long Beach City College Trustee Sunny Zia; former Anaheim Councilman Harry Sidhu; Laguna Niguel Councilman Fred Minagar; and Irvine Community Services Commissioner Melissa Fox.

The program started with the American national anthem, performed by Sonja Prince, followed by the Iranian national anthem, performed by Khayam Persian school students.

Next, Honiball Joseph conducted the Iranian Choir of America.

Opening remarks were nicely done by Farivar and Movahed. Next, the meaning of NowRuz was beautifully presented by California Zoroastrian Center before their performers took the stage with nice traditional and folk dances.

The Iranian cultural center of O.C., and the Gilgamesh Foundation, were the next to perform. Theirs was a nicely done and well-rehearsed program.

Ava dance studio performers took over and showed us the art of dancing with some beautiful Iranian dances.

One of the highlights was the traditional dancing performed by Choi with Farivar and other VIPs to the tunes of DJ Julius, who did a superb job with the beautiful song selection and mixes.

These sometimes very funny Persian dances performed, perhaps for the first time, were going on and off stage, showing the power of music and the far-reaching, borderless scope of this international language.

Shahrooz Ash, with his classic guitar and a chorus of boys and girls, performed beautifully creative songs rooted in the ancient Persian culture.

Michael Chegini, the operation chairman, talked heartfully and sincerely about NowRuz and the importance of Iranian participation in their historical heritage and keeping these precious traditions.

The mistress of ceremonies was again Neda Movahed and her co-host, Tehran Ghasri. Tehran is one of the popular Iranian American entertainers in U.S. He has his own show and performs weekly at the Laugh Factory in L.A.

Nika Imani’s beautiful dance performances, and the nice musical violin performance by Alireza Khademi, followed. Next, Maziar Mafi and his musical band played some popular and memorable songs of the last decades. And, at the end, closing remarks were done by Farivar and Movahed.

Dr. Farrokh Shadab, with his open and generous attitude, could be seen throughout the day handing out $1 and $2 bills, often to kids — an old Persian tradition.

The colorful, beautiful and large “Haft Seen table” was superbly done by Lili Sharifi, Farideh Estiri and Monir Jalili, who did a great job designing and decorating the main stage. Tea, coffee and Persian pastries were provided complimentary, and in abundance, by Caspian restaurant; lunch was also available for purchase.

As our ancestors did in their daily prayers, we also wish you, your loved ones and all the people of the world, health, happiness, joy, love, peace and harmony in the Persian New Year.

K.E. MEHRFAR lives in Corona del Mar.