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Newroz: A Celebration of Renewal

A woman dancing in traditional clothing
Baluchi folk dance performed by Farima Berenji

Spring equinox entered Utah with windstorms, snow, and rain, but with the arrival of spring came the vibrant celebration of Newroz. Newroz, which means New Day, is the New Year, a festivity celebrated on the first day of spring. The celebration marks a new beginning, allowing people to reflect on the past and look towards the future by setting intentions. The event hosted by Global Connections Student Leadership Club, along with the Kurdish Student Leadership Association Club and collaboration with various SLCC offices, brought the fifth annual joyful New Year celebration to SLCC and the community.

A group of dancers perform a traditional Armenian dance for the audience
Dancers performing an Armenian dance

Newroz is a celebration deeply rooted in traditions of over three thousand years and lasts 13 days. Newroz is widely celebrated throughout Central Asia and Middle East; it is not tied to religion but is more of a cultural celebration.

"It's funny that most of us in western US culture celebrate the New Year in the middle of winter. But spring is actually the time when rebirth happens. And so Newroz is remembering to center our lives more around how the earth is moving and how the earth works rather than on our own calendars of how we think that the world should be,” says Juone Kadiri, vice president for Institutional Equity, Inclusion and Transformation, who shared the opening remark.

Dancers wear colorful traditional garments while performing Afghan folk dance
Dancers performing a traditional Kurdish dance

SLCC Newroz guests were submerged in an educational and cultural journey from countries such as Georgia to Afghanistan. The dancers' hypnotizing music moves enchanted every guest to witness and actively participate in the celebration. From future SLCC Bruins to adults’ smiles, laughter and dancing were part of the joyful celebration.

Audience joins SLCC alumni dancing a traditional Persian dance
SLCC Alumni Nadia Yahyapour teaching Newroz guest a traditional Persian dance

Attendees were from various backgrounds, and different generations experienced cultural traditions, food, and music in a peaceful and festive environment. They were challenged not only to participate but to actively reflect on five areas of their life that they wished to improve, followed by sharing them with a peer. The celebration was nothing short of jubilant. As students, staff, faculty, members of SLCC and the community gather together to welcome the New Year in a colorful celebration that is reminiscent of the renewal of light, joy and life, and the cycles of life.

A mother and her children enjoying the Newroz celebration hosted by SLCC
Newroz attendes enjoying the celebration

Happy Newroz!


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