Each spring, families around the world celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, a holiday that marks the spring equinox and represents renewal and new beginnings. The celebration begins at the exact moment winter turns into spring, symbolizing a fresh start.
Persian families continue these traditions by setting up symbolic displays, visiting relatives, and reflecting on the past year. “Rather than being only a time of celebration that we’ve all been accustomed to, the holidays forced us to become more grateful for our safety, family, and culture in a time where all of those were being threatened,” senior Taniya Esfandiyari said.
Nowruz is not just one day but a period of about 13 days filled with traditions centered around family and reflection. A key part of the celebration is the Haft-Seen table, which includes items that symbolize things like health, growth and prosperity. Families also clean their homes, wear new clothes, and spend time with relatives to begin the year positively. Students often balance these traditions with their daily routines, like school and sports. “I feel more level-headed after Persian New Year, and look forward to carrying this energy to the lacrosse season,” senior Maya Bellamy said.
The celebration ends with Sizdah Bedar, which takes place 13 days after Nowruz. On this day, families go outside, often to parks, to spend time in nature and symbolically leave behind bad luck from the past year. This tradition emphasizes the importance of nature and community.
What is happening in Iran right now has changed how these holidays feel for families. In early 2026, a war began after large-scale airstrikes by the United States and Israel, followed by retaliation from Iran with missiles and drones across the region. Fighting has damaged infrastructure, disrupted daily life and created instability both inside Iran and across nearby countries. There has also been a temporary ceasefire, but tensions remain high, and the situation continues to shift. “I’d say that celebrating this year was noticeably different compared to years before. Usually, it’s this big celebration and everyone’s dancing, laughing, celebrating together, and you get as many people as you know in the same room and invite all your friends and family, but this year was a little different with the consistency of celebrations,” senior Lily Semnani said.
These events have had real effects on people’s lives, including limited access to resources, displacement, and communication challenges. Cultural and historical sites have also been damaged, and normal routines, including holiday celebrations, have been disrupted. For people with family connections to Iran, these changes can affect how they experience holidays like Nowruz. “My family felt both grief for those who have been affected and hope for a future that includes freedom,” Esfandiyari said.
Despite these challenges, Nowruz and related traditions remain important for families. They provide a way to stay connected to culture, reflect on the past year, and look ahead. Students continue to celebrate while sharing their traditions with others around them, even as global events shape their perspectives. “I think it means to me that it’s important to keep these traditions still, no matter what the political climate is,” Semnani said.
