Nowruz

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is a significant cultural holiday celebrated primarily in Iran and other parts of the Middle East and Central Asia. It marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the solar year. Traditionally, Nowruz is a time for family gatherings, feasts, and outdoor activities like picnics, particularly on Sizdah Bedar, the 13th day of the new year. However, this year, Nowruz in Iran is overshadowed by the ongoing US-Israeli war. The holiday, usually a bustling time with businesses reopening and people returning to work and school, is now marked by closed shops, school closures, and a struggle to maintain a semblance of normal life amidst explosions and airstrikes. Many families are facing economic hardship, displacement, and strained relationships due to differing opinions about the conflict. Despite the difficulties, some, like the staff at the Children's Medical Center in Tehran, are trying to bring joy and normalcy to those affected by the war.