Photo by Perfect Shot Studio
The first day of spring marks the Iranian New Year, Norouz, a time of festivities to celebrate the rebirth of the Earth. For the past seven years the Canadian Iranian Foundation (CIF), a significant resource for newly arrived Iranian immigrants, has hosted and celebrated the Norouz festival.
The CIF, based in North Vancouver, began in 2005 as a place for Iranian immigrants to gain information about how to start a new life in a foreign country. Nassreen Filsoof, founder and president of the CIF, began her journey to Canada from Iran in 1985. Upon arrival, she had few resources in her new setting. As a newly landed immigrant, she found it a difficult task to find a sense of community. Filsoof had limited knowledge of how to start a life in Canada, so she decided to engage with existing communities through volunteering.
“At that time, there were no resources for any newcomers from Iran to teach me what to do, where to go, how to apply for a job, so I became a volunteer at my children’s school and eventually at different organizations,” says Filsoof.
Filsoof says volunteering opened up doors for her, and allowed her to learn how the new society around her functions. The experience she gained allowed her to progress to directorial roles for different organizations, and to eventually establish the CIF in January of 2005.
“I believe this organization assists new immigrants to settle better in Canada- that is why I have established it,” says Filsoof.
The foundation aims to provide Iranian immigrants with support and advice by facilitating social and cultural integration through educational seminars and workshops. The CIF prioritized a special focus on encouraging education by creating a post-secondary scholarship program for students- to date, the foundation has awarded $180,000 to 86 students.
“I learned how to help others so they won’t face the hardship that I faced when I arrived in Vancouver. I started to bridge the gap between the Iranian and Canadian culture,” says Filsoof.
Filsoof says the organization fosters an environment where Iranians are able to retain their heritage while living the life of a Canadian. The CIF boasts a growing number of members and, according to Filsoof, has now become successful as a significant resource centre for the approximately 70,000 Iranian immigrants in B.C.
Norouz
Nassreen Filsoof, president and founder of the Canadian Iranian Foundation. | Photo courtesy of Nassreen Filsoof
The C.I.F. has cultivated and continued the Iranian traditions of Norouz, the Iranian New Year. Filsoof says Norouz, meaning ‘new day,’ is celebrated on the first day of the Spring Equinox by Iranians all over the world, including people from Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and parts of Turkey and Pakistan, for 2,500 years.
Filsoof explains the preparations and activities typically begin a week before Norouz, where Iranians participate in spring cleaning by throwing away old items. Then they prepare the Haft-Seenspread, which consists of seven items that start with the letter ‘S.’ On the last Tuesday of the year, Iranians purify their souls by jumping over fire. At the exact moment of the Spring Equinox, families get together around the Haft-Seen spread and read poetry from Hafez, a great Iranian poet. This is followed by kisses from loved ones while passing around presents – mostly of gold coins and money; the celebration continues as Iranians visit the homes of their families and friends. Finally, on the 13th day of the New Year, Iranians go for picnics, singing and dancing all day, basking in the nature of spring.
This year, the CIF will be celebrating the coming of spring with their eighth annual Norouz Festival on March 13. For more information, please visit www.canadianiranianfoundationinvancouver.com.
