Residents young and old gathered at the BWG Library on Sunday to take part in Nowruz celebrations.
The library partnered with the Barrie Persian Association for the event, which marks the beginning of spring and the beginning of the new year, celebrated by Persians and many other communities from the Middle East to Central Asia and beyond.
The event featured live Iranian and Afghan dance, crafts, snacks, and live music.
"On behalf of Barrie Persian Association, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to everyone celebrating Nowruz," read a statement on the association's Facebook page. "May this new year bring you and your loved ones happiness, health, and prosperity."
Norwuz promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families, as well as reconciliation and neighbourliness, which contributes to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities. It plays a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples based on mutual respect. Its traditions and rituals reflect the cultural and ancient customs of the civilizations of the East and West, which influenced those civilizations through the interchange of human values.
Celebrating Nowruz means the affirmation of life in harmony with nature, awareness of the inseparable link between constructive labour and natural cycles of renewal and a solicitous and respectful attitude towards natural sources of life.
"As we welcome the spring season and the start of the Persian New Year, we also want to take a moment to remember all those who have lost their lives fighting for freedom in Iran, especially the brave women who have sacrificed so much," the statement added. "We stand in solidarity with those who continue to fight for the basic human rights of all Iranians... May this year be filled with joy, peace, and hope for a brighter future."
The Barrie Persian Association is a Simcoe-based not-for-profit that promotes dialogue and understanding between the Persian community (including all Farsi-language speakers) and other communities living in Canada and Simcoe County.
