Norouz celebration in Pierrefonds

BY MARC LALONDE

marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca

A community organization devoted to helping Iranian-Canadians integrate into Canadian society and hang on to their Iranian culture celebrated the Iranian New Year and the coming of spring Saturday night at the Marcel Morin Community Centre in Pierrefonds.

The celebration, which sold out its 250 tickets, marked one of the Iranian Cultural Society of the West Island’s biggest events of the year, vice-president Anahita Keyhani said. “Norouz predates Christianity and Islam — it comes from the Zoroastrian tradition, which is the ancient religion of Iran, and it is celebrated the first day of spring. It’s a very big occasion,” she said.

Tradition says Norouz celebrants mark the New Year by preparing a table of traditional Iranian goodies and when spring officially arrives — this year, it was March 20 at 8:06 p.m. — they dig in and enjoy. The second part of the tradition, which entails greeting your neighbours and sharing New Year’s wishes with them, Keyhani said.

That’s where the celebration at Marcel Morin community centre came in - the big celebration, awash in colourful garb, children’s attractions, music and dancing served as the West Island Iranian community to greet and wish each other well, she added. Pierrefonds/Dollard MP Bernard Patry and Nelligan MNA Yolande James were on hand to share in the festivities.

Never heard of the Iranian Cultural Society of the West Island? You’re not alone. “We’re not really into publicity,” Keyhani said.

The non-denominational, non-political society, which has been active for the last two decades, helps Iranian immigrants settle in the West Island by offering Farsi courses every Saturday at Ecole Sécondaire des Sources in Dollard des Ormeaux.

Students from kindergarten to Grade 9 and even older teenagers and non-Iranians take Farsi courses at the school from certified, professional language teachers, Keyhani said.

For more information on the Iranian Cultural Society of the West Island and its Farsi courses, call 514- 626-5520 or e-mail: icsow@yahoo.com.