March 18, 2026-Nowruz

HappyNowruz

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 day of spring.

There are a ton of events and activities on the North Shore to ring in the new year

Here are some of the highlights:

Sweet dessert pop-up at Capilano Mall

For all of March, North Vancouver bakery Dougante Sweet Moments is holding a pop-up with an assortment

of handcrafted desserts for Nowruz. Some of those sweet offerings include pistachio, cherry, hazelnut and Nutella cookies, samanu, assorted dried fruits, assorted cake jars and much more.

When: Now until March 31.

Where: Capilano Mall (935 Marine Drive), unit 86.

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

Nowruz Mobarak!

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.

Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson

Member of Parliament

NorthVancouver-Capilano

Tel. 604-775-6333 |@jonathanwnv Jonathan.Wilkinson@parl.gc.ca

Weextendheartfelt Nowruz greetingstoeveryoneobserving this meaningful tradition. Maythisnew year be amomentof reflection, resilience,and shared hope fora brighter future for allcommunities whocherish this season of renewal.

Member of Parliament

West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-SeatoSky Country

Tel. 604-913-2660 |@PatrickBWeiler Patrick.Weiler@parl.gc.ca

HappyNowruz

Iranian-Canadians mark new year with grief and hope

HAMID JAFARI

Contributing writer

For many Iranians on the North Shore, this year’s Nowruz – the Persian New Year – arrives with mixed emotions.

Traditionally a time of celebration, renewal and family gatherings, the holiday this year is marked by reflection, solidarity and hope for change following months of turmoil in Iran.

Ziba Biagoghli, an Iranian-Canadian hairstylist who moved to Canada 16 years ago and now lives in West Vancouver, says this year’s Persian New Year feels very different.

“This year, I will not celebrate Nowruz. The atmosphere for Nowruz does not feel the same as it did in previous years.”

Nowruz, which marks the first day of spring and the start of the Persian calendar, is traditionally celebrated with gatherings, festive meals and the preparation of a haft-seen table – a symbolic arrangement of seven items beginning with the Persian letter “S.”

But Biagoghli said she will not even set

up the traditional display this year.

“Nowruz is a historic tradition for Iranians. I will honor it, but I have decided that this year I will not even set up a haftseen table in my home.”

Her decision, she said, comes from a sense of solidarity with grieving families in Iran.

The year 2026 began with bloodshed in the streets of Iran. During the ongoing uprising, called by some the “Lion and Sun revolution,” tens of thousands of people were reportedly killed in a brutal crackdown by the Islamic Republic. Some reports estimate that as many as 36,500 people died during the Jan. 8–9 crackdown alone, making it one of the deadliest protest massacres in modern history.

“Many mothers in Iran are entering this Nowruz after losing their children – children who gave their lives for Iran. In solidarity and sympathy with these mothers, I have chosen not to celebrate Nowruz this year,” said Biagoghli.

She hopes the new year will bring major political change.

“I hope that soon we will hear the news of Iran’s freedom from the Islamic Republic and celebrate the fall of this regime. I hope the Iranian people will finally see the future they want.”

Sahra Dilmaghanian, vice-president of the Lion and Sun organization and a West Vancouver resident, said Nowruz carries deeper meaning this year for Iranians around the world.

“Nowruz is our traditional celebration and has been observed by Iranians for many, many years,” she said. “But this year is totally different. It has another meaning for all Iranians around the world.”

For her, Nowruz has become both a moment of remembrance and solidarity

“This year we celebrate Nowruz to keep hope alive and to remember the innocent people who lost their lives for freedom,” she said. “It is about hope, new life and a better future for our country.”

Dilmaghanian said that despite the hardships many people face inside Iran,

conversations with people in the country reflect a sense of optimism.

“When we speak with people inside Iran, they tell us that even though they have lost family members and children during the revolution against the regime, they have not lost hope,” she said. “They believe a free Iran will come very soon.”

In Metro Vancouver, she said members of the Iranian community are planning gatherings and cultural events around Nowruz, while many families will still prepare the traditional haft-seen table at home.

“This year the haft-seen is not just about celebration,” she said. “It is about remembering hope and the possibility of a new life for Iranians everywhere.”

Dilmaghanian said demonstrations in support of people in Iran are also expected to continue.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Nowruz this year, Dilmaghanian said she remains optimistic.

HappyNowruz

Sombre tone to Nowruz celebrations as conflict rages in Iran

“All Iranians should stay strong for freedom,” she said.

“We will achieve what we want, and Iran will have a bright future again.”

Bahman Sahami, known as Nima, owner and founder of the oldest Persian bookstore in the Vancouver area on the North Shore, believes that Nowruz will continue to remain an important cultural tradition

“Nowruz has been the main cultural event for Iranians for thousands of years,” he said.

“During the past 47 years, the Islamic Republic has tried to weaken this tradition, but today it is receiving even more attention from people.”

Sahami said that this year some celebrations may also take the form of gatherings, rallies, and demonstrations among the diaspora in solidarity with people in Iran and those who have

lost their loved ones.

“Nowruz will never be forgotten – it will only be celebrated with greater strength and pride.”

For Arash Ashtari, a North Shore resident who has lived in the area for about a decade and owns a fitness studio, the holiday has taken on a more symbolic meaning.

“This year, Nowruz is more of a symbol of unity for me.” He said the moment calls for solidarity among Iranians.

“This Nowruz, we need to stand together and remain united around one goal – the fall of the Islamic Republic. This year, I will not celebrate Nowruz, but I will honor it in solidarity

with the grieving people of Iran.”

Across the North Shore and beyond, Iranian families are preparing to mark the Persian New Year in different ways – some quietly, some through community gatherings, and others through activism.

Maryam Shariatmadari, a political activist residing on the North Shore, said Nowruz has always been deeply connected to nature and Iranian identity She explained that the Persian New Year marks the moment when day and night are equal and the days begin to grow longer and brighter, symbolizing renewal.

“Iranians have celebrated Nowruz for thousands of years – even in times of mourning,” she said. “What has kept Iran standing for thousands of years is its myths and traditions.”

Shariatmadari, who is expecting her first child, said this year’s Nowruz comes at a time when

many families in Iran are grieving loved ones they have lost.

“People in Iran remain determined to honour their traditions,” she said. “We will hold the Nowruz ceremonies, but under the current circumstances, we will not celebrate.”

The spirit of Nowruz –renewal, hope and the promise of a new beginning – remains at the heart of this historical tradition for the Persian community In 2026, the Persian New Year begins on Saturday, March 21, at 7:58 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time in Vancouver, marking the start of the year 1405.

Hamid Jafari is a Vancouverbased freelance journalist who writes about the Iranian community in Canada, art, culture, and social media trends. He has done two placements with the North Shore News that were supported by New Canadian Media. itshamidjafari@gmail.com

Wishingyouhappiness,renewal,andsuccessintheyearahead.TheNorthShoreLaw teamandourIranianlawyersareproudtocelebrateNowruzwithourcommunity.