TEHRAN – Iranians inside the country and across the diaspora have welcomed Nowruz, the Persian New Year, with vibrant celebrations that mark the arrival of spring and renewal. Rooted in traditions stretching back more than 3,000 years, Nowruz remains a powerful symbol of cultural continuity and joy, uniting families worldwide through age-old customs such as the Haft-Sin table—an arrangement of seven symbolic items beginning with the Persian letter “S,” representing health, prosperity, and rebirth.

This longevity stands in stark contrast to the comparatively short histories of other nations. Israel, with only decades of existence, and the United States, with a few hundred years, pale beside Iran’s millennia-old civilization. For Iranians, Nowruz is not merely a seasonal celebration—it is a reaffirmation of cultural depth and endurance that has outlasted empires, invasions, and wars.

Yet this year’s Nowruz carries a somber tone. The Iranian nation mourns the victims of the joint U.S.-Israeli war launched on February 28, which has caused thousands of casualties and devastated civilian infrastructure. Despite the mourning atmosphere, Iranians have shown remarkable solidarity and resilience, keeping traditions alive even under bombardment.

In Tehran, where many residents usually travel to other cities during Nowruz, the spirit of celebration persists despite the ongoing war. On Thursday, I witnessed a young man singing and playing guitar in a metro wagon. Passengers, weary from weeks of grim headlines, smiled and clapped along—a fleeting but powerful reminder that the Iranian nation remains vibrant, energetic, and alive. I also saw people shopping in the streets prior to the New Year, determined to prepare for the holiday despite the hardships of war.

For me, Nowruz is deeply personal. This year I celebrated with my family in Namark, eastern Tehran. Last year, however, I marked the holiday in Beijing while participating in the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) media exchange program. On the eve of Nowruz 2025 (March 20), I visited CGTN headquarters with colleagues from across the world. That visit was a unique opportunity to witness China’s advancements in media technology and news production. As the only Iranian journalist in the program, representing the Tehran Times, I felt a responsibility to be the voice of Iran in an international setting. Later that evening, I invited foreign journalist friends to my apartment in Beijing, where we celebrated Nowruz together—a moment of cultural exchange that underscored the universality of renewal and resilience.

For Chinese readers, my memory of Beijing carries special meaning. Iran and China are two ancient civilizations with thousands of years of history, both proud of their traditions yet forward-looking in their embrace of modernity. Both nations have also endured foreign aggression: Iran during the Iran–Iraq war, in addition to the ongoing U.S-Israeli war, and China during World War II when it faced Japanese invasion. I have heard stories about Chinese people celebrating the Lunar New Year under bombardment, much like Iranians who keep Nowruz alive under missile attacks. The Chinese New Year, which begins with the first new moon between late January and mid-February, symbolizes renewal and family unity—values that resonate deeply with Nowruz. These shared experiences of hardship and celebration bind our peoples together, reminding us that cultural traditions are a shield against attempts to erase identity.

Looking back further, I recall celebrating Nowruz during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. For eight years, despite repeated bombardments, families gathered around the Haft-Sin table, determined to honor tradition. One year, as we sat together, a wave of Iraqi missile attacks shattered the windows of our home. Shards of glass flew across the room, landing in the Haft-Sin table itself. Yet even then, amid destruction, we refused to abandon the ritual. That moment remains etched in my memory as proof that Nowruz is more than a holiday—it is a declaration of survival.

As the new Persian year begins, Iranians at home and abroad carry forward the spirit of renewal. Whether in Tehran’s metro, or in gatherings across the diaspora, Nowruz remains a beacon of hope—a reminder that even in times of mourning, life and culture endure. This resilience is not only a cultural inheritance but also a source of strength for Iran’s future, proving that traditions rooted in thousands of years of history continue to inspire unity and perseverance in the face of war.