This year marks the 23rd Annual Persian Fire Festival in Vancouver. With popularity growing rapidly in recent years, organizers are expecting more participants than ever to turn up and take part in the traditions.

Davood Ghavami, president of the Iranian-Canadian Congress of Canada, says the festival is the first of many events which make up Persian New Year celebrations. The tradition is rich in history, dating back thousands of years, and is connected more with nature than with religion or regime. It gives participants a chance to put everything in the past and start new relationships and friendships, he adds.

“People are celebrating the first day of spring when nature becomes young again,” says Ghavami.

Ghavami was born in Iran and came to Vancouver with his brother in 1990. At that time, the Persian community held a number of smaller New Year celebrations across the Greater Vancouver area. He worked hard to unite the attendees and join them in one large celebration. Eventually he combined the groups and the event became better organized and grew significantly in popularity.

“Based on news I’ve collected for the past 20 years, it looks like Vancouver has one of the biggest celebrations outside of Iran,” he says.

The festival is full of dancing, singing and a fire jumping ritual that takes place on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Persian year.

“Iranians believe fire is the source of energy and a source of light that can purify and burn all the evils in their minds and lives,” he says. “The ritual is making a small bonfire and jumping over it wishing for health and wealth for the New Year.”

This chance to purge and purify is significant to Ata Tehranchi, a 24-year-old Iranian who has been living in Vancouver for just over two years. He says the activity is a reminder to focus on life’s path and pay attention to the values and morals in human society. And no matter what his work schedule, Tehranchi asks for the day off to go to the festival with his friends and younger sister.

“My family and I have always participated in this traditional celebration whether we were in Iran or abroad,” he says.

Despite the responsibilities involved in organizing the event, Ghavami also makes time to take part and says he spends fifteen to thirty minutes jumping over the fire.

When it comes to safety, Tehranchi says the celebration has changed in Iran since the times when weak explosives were used. They are very careful at the Vancouver event, Ghavami adds. Neither Ghavami nor Tehranchi have heard of any accidents.

“People line up and go one by one. The fire department and ambulance are always on site,” says Ghavami.

The only issue Ghavami has at the event is the lineup for the food. He says there is a great selection of concession stands providing Persian food, ice cream and coffee, and they’re always busy.

Both Ghavami and Tehranchi encourage everyone to participate, no matter what their cultural background. Tehranchi says this is a chance for non-Iranians to see the hidden aspects of Iran not easily found in the media. He guarantees it’s an interesting event and is proud of his culture’s hospitality.

Ghavami agrees and is happy to continue this Persian festival in Vancouver.

“It’s a wonderful tradition,” he says.

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The Fire Festival starts at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19 at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver. For more information, visit http://www.iccofbc.com.