While most Barrie residents impatiently await the arrival of spring, the local Persian community is preparing to celebrate its new year.
Samira Rashidian-Zadeh founded the Barrie Persian Association, a local non-profit organization, four years ago as a way for Persian families in the region to connect with one another.
Along with her fellow volunteers, she has been busy this month preparing to host several local events to celebrate Nowruz.
“It’s the Persian New Year and starts normally on March 20, (which is typically) the first day of Spring. We celebrate it for 13 days and on the last day — we call it the Nature Day — families and individuals go out of town and it’s like a picnic day. We get our energy from nature and then we give it back to nature … as part of the Sizdah Bedar ceremony," Rashidian-Zadeh said.
The greenery grown for the Haft-sin setting, described as the centrepiece of Persian New Year (or Nowruz) showcases the seven S’s — seven items starting with the letter ‘S’ in Persian, each symbolizing hope, renewal and prosperity for the coming year, she explained.
These items, which are set up at home, are then thrown away, usually into water, Rashidian-Zadeh added.
“Normally back home, people who would go to a river or a lake and then just give it to the river," she said.
Rashidian-Zadeh told BarrieToday she decided to create the Barrie Persian Association after she and her family moved to the city from Richmond Hill in 2016 and struggled to find services to serve as a bridge between the local community and the growing Persian community.
Not only does the association plan community celebrations and events, the volunteer-based group also works with newcomers to help them get settled in their new home in Simcoe County.
“There were not a lot of (events). We were participating in some gatherings, but they were not formal … they were just friendly and like a potluck style,” she said.
After seeing how other South Asian communities were able to find positive ways to integrate into the area, Rashidian-Zadeh says she decided to take it upon herself and create one representing Persian families.
“I think when I arrived in Barrie, there’d been six or seven Diwali (events), but there was nothing for Nowruz. There was nothing for the Afghan and Iranian community here in Barrie," she noted.
“Barrie is getting more diverse, so it’s our chance to help the community and assist people get their lives and careers established here in Barrie,” Rashidian-Zadeh said. “We support not only Iranian families, but also families from Afghanistan and Tajikistan because we are all speaking Farsi. That brings unity to our community.”
The first Nowruz Gala was officially hosted in the city in 2019.
March also marks Persian Heritage Month, which was established in 2021 by Michael Parsa, a Conservative MPP representing the riding of Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill, and who also serves as minister of children, community and social services.
“It’s important to celebrate the different communities,” Rashidian-Zadeh said. “It brings more celebration and culture and at the same time unity to our local community and the country. People can learn about the different cultures. I think our community appreciates it.”
Coming up this weekend, volunteers are getting ready to host the Nowruz Bazaar on Saturday, March 16 at the Bradford public library.
“It’s like a spring market with different vendors, a deejay, and cultural dance,” she said.
On March 23, the association will host the third annual Nowruz Gala at the Southshore Centre in Barrie.
“It’s the most luxurious event we have,” Rashidian-Zadeh added.
