Happy Norouz




NOROUZ, or "new day/new year" as it is known, is the Iranian celebration of the spring equinox. It is a cherished 12-day event for families who celebrate the festival and its traditions (which are suspected to be over 3000 years old). Once again, this year, the Iranian Canadian Cultural Association held one of the biggest parties last Saturday at the Renaissance Hotel. Hundreds attended the event which featured traditional music, entertainment and dancing as well as an authentic "Haft Seen", which is a ceremonial table honouring the seven virtures of life: rebirth, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, patience and beauty. Later, the Hajee Firouz (or troubadours) danced among the guests spreading good cheer. It was a colourful and fun festival well worth seeing.

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Dancing among the guests in their colorful sequins and satin was (from left) Mahnaz Arefi, Tara Nazemi and Ghazal Tabatabaei.

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Later on, Einaz Farahmand (left) and Nazanin Mansourian would also dance the "Bandari".

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Looking elegant for the new year was Sherry Afshar (left) and Nilou Zonozi.

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Shapour Kia (left) and Farhad Afra look forward to this celebration every year.

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Michael Wraight of KLM Northwest airlines, seen here with Annemieke Groot, generously donated four trip tickets to Tehran for the silent auction.

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Nassreen Filsoof (left) and Tandees Tanavoli are both on the board of directors. Nassreen delivered a Farsi welcome to start the evening.

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From left: Cyrus Chaichian joined North Van City Mayor Barb Sharp, his daughter Katty Chaichian and her husband Robert Hall for the evening celebrations.

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Yousef Rastar and his wife Vaji (from left), were pleased to have West Vancouver Coun. and Liberal candidate hopeful Bill Soprovich sit at their table for dinner.

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Amir Filsoof and his beautiful daughter Mehrgan prove that this evening is truly about families.

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Board member, and founder, Dr. Mitra Sadrameli delivered a speech about the history of Norouz.

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There was lots to smile about this evening as Laurie Shaw (from left), Bob Kiaii, Heidi Kiaii and Alex Kiaii will tell you.

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Sitting on the board of directors, Zohreh Ansair (left) and Shiva Mojtabavi deserve a great deal of credit for putting this evening together.

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Sherri Motazed (from left), committee member Jila Ghassemzadeh and Ali Reza-Ghavami thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

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