Trending Now - Nowruz Celebrations in Iran Reflect Hope Amidst Conflict
WHO:
Shima Razavi Gacek, 46, Los Angeles resident
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran
Marjan Khalili, president of the Long Island Ladies Association
Shani Moslehi, chief executive of the Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce
Hedi Yousefi, organizer of the Norooz Bazaar in Manhattan
Tabeer Taabur, president of the Tennessee Kurdish Community Council
Shahab Paranj, artistic director of the Iranshahr Orchestra
Iranian Americans, Iranian demonstrators, community organizations
WHAT:
Shima Razavi Gacek organized a vigil on March 17th, 2026, where dozens of Iranian Americans lit candles and participated in Chaharshanbe Suri.
A concert titled “Light Always Prevails” was held in Los Angeles, featuring an Iranian female vocalist who was barred from singing after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and an Iranian-American performing in Persian for the first time.
Marjan Khalili, president of the Long Island Ladies Association, stated, “People are not in the mood to celebrate the New Year. That’s what Nowruz is -- we welcome the New Year, and now we really don’t have much to welcome, you know?”
Shani Moslehi, chief executive of the Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce, mentioned, “Everyone I hear from is not doing well. The dancing and singing lasted a day, and people realized just killing that one guy is not going to solve the problem.”
Hedi Yousefi stated, “They want us to be quiet. They want us to shut up and don’t talk and celebrate. But we have to talk about our culture, we have to keep our tradition alive.”
Tabeer Taabur, president of the Tennessee Kurdish Community Council, indicated that the Nashville area event is meant to show solidarity with people across the war-torn region, stating, “It’s not going to be a grief celebration or a sad celebration.”
Iranian Americans are marking Nowruz in 2026 with a mix of somber celebrations and traditional festivities.
A vigil was organized by Shima Razavi Gacek in Los Angeles, where photos of slain protesters were displayed and candles were lit.
Many communities canceled planned Nowruz parties and events due to the crackdown on protesters in January 2026.
A concert titled “Light Always Prevails” was held in Los Angeles instead of an outdoor festival.
A memorial wall listing the names of approximately 3,000 people killed in January was displayed at the Norooz Bazaar.
The Persian Cultural Society at New York University held a vigil with speeches and poems instead of their annual celebration.
WHERE:
Los Angeles, California
Nashville, Tennessee
New York, New York, specifically at a suburban shopping mall 25 miles (40 kilometers) outside Manhattan
Manhattan, New York
WHEN:
Nowruz is celebrated on the spring equinox, which occurs in March.
The vigil organized by Shima Razavi Gacek took place on March 17th, 2026.
The crackdown on Iranian demonstrators occurred in January 2026.
WHY:
The Nowruz celebrations are impacted by the ongoing conflict, with many communities canceling planned events due to the crackdown on protesters in January 2026.
The celebrations are tempered due to the recent conflict and the deaths of Iranian demonstrators.
Community members are dealing with stress from the war and inability to communicate with family in Iran.
HOW:
In Los Angeles, participants shared dinner at picnic tables and took turns jumping over small fires to mark the changing of the year.
Community members lit candles and hopped over tea lights in a version of the fire-jumping tradition known as Chaharshanbe Suri.
Smaller, quieter versions of celebrations were organized in response to the ongoing conflict.
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 05:20 UTC)
On March 17, 2026, Shima Razavi Gacek organized a vigil in Los Angeles where dozens of Iranian Americans lit candles and participated in Chaharshanbe Suri, despite the ongoing conflict impacting Nowruz celebrations. The event included a concert titled “Light Always Prevails,” featuring an Iranian female vocalist who was barred from singing after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, alongside an Iranian-American performing in Persian for the first time. Many community leaders expressed a somber mood, with Marjan Khalili noting that people are not in the mood to celebrate, reflecting the broader sentiment that the recent violence has overshadowed traditional festivities.
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(UPDATED March 20, 2026 01:27 UTC)
Iranian Americans are observing Nowruz in 2026 with a blend of traditional festivities and somber reflections, particularly following the crackdown on protesters earlier this year. In Los Angeles, Shima Razavi Gacek organized a vigil on March 17, where attendees lit candles and displayed photos of those who lost their lives, while a memorial wall at the Norooz Bazaar honored approximately 3,000 victims. Many communities, including the Persian Cultural Society at New York University, opted for smaller, quieter gatherings, focusing on remembrance rather than large celebrations due to the ongoing conflict and the emotional toll on families with loved ones in Iran.