Flames of Belonging: Iranian Canadians leap into spring at ancient fire festival
Under a crisp, late-March sky in Dunrobin, bonfires lit up the night as dozens of Iranians gathered to celebrate Chaharshanbeh Suri, reviving an ancient Persian tradition with laughter, music and fire. What began as a Zoroastrian ritual thousands of years ago has become a cherished cultural festival for millions. Held on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the...
Harmony and Home: Persian music event unites local Farsi speakers
On a bitterly cold Sunday night in downtown Ottawa, Shirin Ghodrati stepped through the doors of Bronson Centre, her breath curling in the frosty air. Just four months into her new life in Canada, she had more than the weight of winter on her shoulders; she carried a longing for connection. Drawn by the soul-stirring melodies of a Persian music...