Pittsburgh Council Recognizes Persian New Year, Designates March 20 as "Nowrūz Celebration Day" in City

Pittsburgh City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday, March 9 recognizing the Persian New Year celebration called Nowrūz, and declaring Saturday, March 20 to be "Nowrūz Celebration Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.

Translated as "New Day," Nowrūz marks the traditional Iranian New year and begins on the Vernal Equinox, celebrating the arrival of spring for 13 days. The holiday is celebrated by more than a million Iranian-Americans in the United States, as well as 300 million Iranians and others around the world.



According to the proposed resolution, "Nowrūz embodies the ideal of compassion for our fellow human beings regardless of ethnicity or religion, and symbolizes a time of renewal and community, " and "contributes to the richness of Pittsburgh culture and serves to remind us of the many noteworthy and lasting contributions of Iranian-Americans to the social and economic fabric of society in the City of Pittsburgh."

Stating that "the vibrant Iranian-American community continues to enrich the tapestry of the diversity of the City of Pittsburgh," the resolution expresses appreciation for "the contributions of Iranian-Americans to the City of Pittsburgh; and wishes the Iranian community of Pittsburgh and all who observe this holiday a prosperous New Year.

Sponsored by council member Patrick Dowd, the resolution was supported by council president Darleen Harris and council members Ricky Burgess, Doug Shields, Theresa Kail-Smith, Bruce Kraus, Natalia Rudiak, Daniel Lavelle and William Peduto.