NEW YORK – War has cast shadows over the homeland of many Iranian Americans, complicating their feelings as they approach Nowruz, the Iranian new year. This year, the joy of the holiday is mixed with stress and uncertainty due to ongoing conflict.
Kayvon Pourmirzaie, who was born in the U.S. to Iranian parents, chose to celebrate by attending a Persian dinner in Manhattan. He hopes that, despite the war, the world can see the beauty of Iran. “Nowruz represents hope for me,” he shared. “No one wants war, but I feel strongly about our homeland.”
Many Iranian Americans experience emotional turmoil. They find themselves torn between the potential for change in Iran and deep concern for loved ones who remain there. As the war continues, Nowruz takes on a new meaning, which usually involves gathering, dancing, and feasting on traditional dishes like kuku sabzi that symbolize renewal.
This year, however, many celebrations were scaled back or transformed into quieter events. Saeed Shafiyan Rad, president of the Iranian Association of Boston, canceled all planned festivities. “We want to honor the struggles of our people,” he said firmly.
Divisions within the Iranian diaspora aren’t new, but the current situation has intensified them. Younger generations, often disconnected from their parents’ homeland, grapple with their identity. Hedi Yousefi, who runs Nowruz Bazaar in New York, faced backlash for continuing her event amidst the war but felt that celebrating Nowruz honors the spirit of resilience against oppression. “My grandfather always said the regime wants to stop our traditions,” she remarked.
Social media influencers like Omid Afshar are using cooking as a way to reconnect with their culture. “Making Persian food helps me feel connected,” he said, reflecting on his upbringing in the U.S. where he felt the need to hide that part of himself.
Persis Karim, an expert on Iranian studies, believes Nowruz should represent hope, but she wrestles with the celebrations amid ongoing atrocities. “I feel uneasy celebrating when I see my family suffering in Iran,” she voiced. Others like Nasim Alikhani, owner of a Persian restaurant, decided that withholding Nowruz festivities would miss the point. “Iranians have always celebrated despite challenges. We will adapt but not cancel,” she said. While the atmosphere may shift from joyful to somber, the food will flow. “There can be no gathering without food,” she stressed.
Business at Persian restaurants usually surges during Nowruz, but this year’s war has brought uncertainty. In areas with strong sentiments against the conflict, sales are down. Yet, in places like Los Angeles, known as Tehrangeles, where support is robust, sales have seen an uptick in the news cycle. Farinaz Pirshirazi from Toranj restaurant noted, “Each time there’s news of change, our customers come in joyfully.”
Interestingly, culinary traditions also shift with the times. After the Iranian government cracked down on protests earlier this year, many made halva, a sweet usually associated with mourning, as a form of sarcastic celebration. “We made halva as an act of joy in the face of sorrow,” Pirshirazi explained.
Events like the pop-up dinner attended by Pourmirzaie, featuring innovative takes on traditional dishes, aim to strengthen community bonds through food while also raising funds for charitable causes in Iran. Anais Dersi, one of the organizers, said, “Food is a bridge to our culture. It connects us, even if we struggle to find words.”
This complex interplay of culture, identity, and current events highlights the resilience of the Iranian American community as they navigate the layers of emotion that Nowruz carries this year.
