Celebration of Nowruz 1404 in Manila
Coinciding with the holy nights of Qadr and the beginning of the Persian New Year 1404—and in light of the necessity to honor the martyrdom anniversary of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (peace be upon him)—a Nowruz celebration was held with the aim of preserving and promoting cultural identity and solidarity among Iranians abroad. The event was organized by the Cultural Section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and took place on Wednesday, Farvardin 13, 1404 (April 2, 2025), which also marked Nature Day, in the Cultural Section’s assembly hall.
The auspicious ceremony began at 1:00 PM with the screening of selected Nowruz-themed video clips. Following this, Mr. Abolghasemi, the Cultural Counselor, gave a brief speech in which he welcomed the Ambassador and the Iranian community in attendance. He extended his congratulations on the arrival of the New Year and Nature Day. He noted that, given the coincidence of Imam Ali’s (PBUH) martyrdom with the beginning of the New Year and the importance of observing these days of mourning, the decision was made to hold the Nowruz celebration toward the end of the New Year holidays, coinciding with Nature Day. “Today,” he added, “we have gathered to celebrateSizdah Bedar abroad, together and in unity.”
He continued: “Sizdah Bedar symbolizes the arrival of spring and is an ancient Iranian tradition—a day of joy and thanksgiving. It is a time to express gratitude for God’s blessings and the nature that surrounds us. More importantly, it is an opportunity to reconnect with family, friends, and loved ones. No matter where we Iranians are in the world, we carry a deep love for our homeland and culture in our hearts. Today is a chance for us to celebrate that love and friendship together.”
He concluded by expressing hope that while honoring Iranian culture and identity, all would experience joy and unity on this special day: “HappySizdah Bedar. May the year 1404 be filled with health, success, and blessings for all of you, dear friends.”
The screening of Nowruz-themed videos and the serving of refreshments were among the highlights of this memorable day. To further strengthen cultural identity and enhance community spirit and social bonds, a vibrant and energetic sports session was organized. Fellow Iranians, full of energy and enthusiasm, actively participated in various physical activities. These efforts not only contributed to physical and mental well-being but also created an opportunity to strengthen social ties in a friendly and warm environment—reminding us all that sports and physical activity are integral parts of our culture and a healthy lifestyle.
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