north shore news nsnews.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2026 | A21
Happy Nowruz Here’s how to ring in Persian New Year on the North Shore ABBY LUCIANO
aluciano@nsnews.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Spring is just around the corner, which means vibrant celebrations are heading to the North Shore once again for Nowruz.
Also known as Persian New Year, Nowruz is typically a 13-day holiday recognized by many Persian, Kurdish, Baha’i, Ismaili and Afghani people, celebrating the first These Dougante Sweet Moments Persian cookies for a day of spring. Nowruz haft-seen table are available at a pop-up store at There are a ton of Capilano Mall. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN events and activities on of handcrafted desserts for Nowruz. the North Shore to ring in Some of those sweet offerings include the new year. pistachio, cherry, hazelnut and Nutella Here are some of the highlights: cookies, samanu, assorted dried fruits, assorted cake jars and much more. Sweet dessert pop-up at Capilano Mall When: Now until March 31. For all of March, North Vancouver Where: Capilano Mall (935 Marine Drive), bakery Dougante Sweet Moments is unit 86. holding a pop-up with an assortment
Music for Nowruz at the West Van library Enjoy the arrival of spring with a special musical performance from Saina Khaledi on santour, Ali Sajjadi on oud and Ali Razmi on tar at the West Vancouver Memorial Library. Light refreshments will be served while the music is playing. Registration is required for the event. When: Wednesday, March 18, 2 to 3 p.m. Where: West Vancouver Memorial Library, Welsh Hall Cost: Free. Register on the library’s website.
Nowruz at the Polygon Gallery The North Van gallery is holding Golchin Vol. 03, a gathering with immersive audiovisual performances and an art installation in celebration of Nowruz. According to the Polygon, each performance uses elements of Nowruz and the symbolism of haft-seen, “translating ritual objects and seasonal thresholds into sound, light, and spatial experience.” When: Thursday, March 19, 6 to 9 p.m. Where: The Polygon Gallery (101 Carrie
Cates Court, North Vancouver) Cost: Free. RSVP on the Polygon’s website.
Dance workshop at Civic Plaza The Academy of Middle Eastern Dance is holding a free dance therapy workshop for anyone to partake in. Participants will be invited to wear traditional Iranian clothing and are asked to gather around the haft-seen table to celebrate Nowruz and share the beauty of Iranian culture with the community. “In light of the emotional and sensitive situation affecting many Iranian families today, this gathering is intended to bring a moment of healing, hope, and connection through music and movement,” said Pooneh Alizadeh, artistic director for the Academy of Middle Eastern Dance. When: Friday, March 20, 3 to 4 p.m. Where: Civic Plaza in front of North Vancouver City Hall (141 14th Street West) Cost: Free Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
M o b z a u r rak! w o N
We extend heartfelt Nowruz greetings to everyone observing this meaningful tradition. May this new year be a moment of reflection, resilience, and shared hope for a brighter future for all communities who cherish this season of renewal. . ﻣﺒﺎرک ﺑﺎد،ﻧﻮروز ﺑﻪ ﻫﻤﻪ ﮐﺴﺎﻧﯽ ﮐﻪ اﯾﻦ آﯾﯿﻦ را ﮔﺮاﻣﯽ ﻣﯽدارﻧﺪ ﺻﻤﯿﻤﺎﻧﻪﺗﺮﯾﻦ ﺗﺒﺮﯾﮑﺎت ﻧﻮروزی ﺧﻮد را ﺑﻪ ﺗﻤﺎﻣﯽ اﻓﺮادی ﮐﻪ اﯾﻦ . ﺗﻘﺪﯾﻢ ﻣﯽﮐﻨﯿﻢ،ﺳﻨﺖ ارزﺷﻤﻨﺪ را ﺟﺸﻦ ﻣﯽﮔﯿﺮﻧﺪ ﺗﺎبآوری و اﻣﯿﺪی،ﭘﯿﺶ رو ﺳﺮﺷﺎر از ﻧﻮزاﯾﯽ ِ اﻣﯿﺪوارﯾﻢ ﺳﺎل ﻓﺼﻞ ﻣﺸﺘﺮک ﺑﺮای آﯾﻨﺪهای روﺷﻦﺗﺮ ﺑﺮای ﻫﻤﻪ ﮐﺴﺎﻧﯽ ﺑﺎﺷﺪ ﮐﻪ اﯾﻦ ِ .آﻏﺎزﻫﺎی ﻧﻮ را ﻋﺰﯾﺰ ﻣﯽﺷﻤﺎرﻧﺪ Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson
Member of Parliament North Vancouver-Capilano Tel. 604-775-6333 | @jonathanwnv Jonathan.Wilkinson@parl.gc.ca
Patrick Weiler
Member of Parliament West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country Tel. 604-913-2660 | @PatrickBWeiler Patrick.Weiler@parl.gc.ca