Fatemah Maleknia was 14 years old when she left Iran, her now husband Donny Maleknia was in his twenties. They would find themselves building a life in Huntsville, Alabama. And in this new life in a new land away from their homeland, friends became family and a thriving Persian community was birthed.
"Many of us do not have extended family in Huntsville or even in the United States, so our friends have become our family," says Fatemah.
And every year around this time, Huntsville's Persian community comes together for one of the most joyous celebrations, Persian New Year. Called Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is a 3,000-year-old celebration of spring. It begins on the first day of the Iranian calendar, usually on or around 20 or 21 March, or Spring Equinox, and lasts for 13 days. There is dancing all night, beautiful music, laughter and stories, and delicious, home cooked food.
Mrs. Zari Montasseri established this Persian tradition in Huntsville in the 1980s. Fatemah praises Zari, "The multi-talented Mrs. Zari Montasseri is whom we affectionately call the Mother of all Iranians in Huntsville. She is also the owner of Fashion by Z."
Zari remarks, "Since we don't have time to visit everyone during the Persian New Year, celebrating together allows us to connect and pay our respects to our community's elders." During their annual celebration multiple generations gather to dance, sing, and dine. From grandparents to babies, this is a time to reconnect with friends you may not see often, spend time with family members, and celebrate all life's blessings.
Pegah Niakossary says, "It also gives our children a taste of our traditions and evokes nostalgia for those who spent their childhood in Iran, where the New Year is the most important holiday."
Fatemah adds, "We miss our homeland and families, and this celebration helps us recall memories and connect with those who understand our experiences. It allows us to showcase our culture to our adopted country."
When asked what are some of her favorite memories of Persian New Year, Fatemah remembers, "I loved getting fancy clothes for the new year, having a thirteen-day break from school, having out-of-town visitors, visiting our family and elderly relatives, and my mom hiring someone to come and make my favorite pastry in our house." She continues, "Also, Sizdeh Bedar, which is a big picnic on the 13th day of the New Year."
Fatemah's husband Donny adds smiling, "Definitely getting new clothes, visiting my grandma, who gave me Eidy!" He explains, "For our new year, we do not exchange gifts. Instead, parents buy everyone brand-new clothes and shoes, while elders give cash or gold coins to the kids. I loved using my Eidy to treat my brothers and sisters to a movie."
The food has a featured role in the new year celebration. In Iran, typical dishes include Kookoo Sabzi (a herby frittata), Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi (rice with herbs and fried fish) and Reshteh Polo (aromatic rice and noodles with chicken). Plov, the rice-based national dish of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, is at the heart of most Nowruz gatherings, with countless variations on meat, vegetables and spices.
Fatemeh's favorite? "Baghala Polo ( Rice with Lima beans and dill weed served with chicken stuffed with raisins, onions, and walnuts)." While Donny loves, "Sabzi Polo ba Mahi."
The anticipation of the New Year starts weeks in advance with what is called Khone-Takoony, aka spring cleaning. This involves thoroughly cleaning the entire house from top to bottom, cleaning/washing Persian rugs, painting the walls (if needed), and beginning preparation for the Haft Seen table.
The preparation continues by purchasing new clothes, coloring the eggs (similar to Easter tradition, though this custom dates back to 550 B.C. during the Persian Empire), and either making or buying sweets. There is a sense of joy in the air, and family gatherings become frequent. "Each day, we visit a family member or welcome a visitor," Fatemah adds. "It's a delightful time for children and adults."
As the day of the celebration arrives, you can feel the joy. Hundreds gather at the Round House in downtown Huntsville - smiles radiate throughout the large building, the smell of food fills the air, and music permeates from floor to ceiling. There is no denying that this gathering is one of the joyous celebrations you could ever witness. Hugs, laughter, and dancing continue all night long.
The love Huntsville's Persian community has for their culture, their family, and this city, is something I wish everyone could experience. It is an elation about life that makes you happy to simply be alive and witnessing such pure gratitude and joy, and that is hard to find in today's world.
On Huntsville, Fatemah and Donny's daughter, Anahita Maleknia says this about her hometown, "There is also a highly educated community here whom have traveled to different countries and are aware, understanding, and respectful of other cultures." She smiles, "Huntsville is a perfect mix of urban and rural settings, with very, very friendly people, making it a great place to grow up."
Many of us do not have extended family in Huntsville or even in the United States, so our friends have become our family.
For our new year, we do not exchange gifts. Instead, parents buy everyone brand-new clothes and shoes, while elders give cash or gold coins to the kids. I loved using my Eidy to treat my brothers and sisters to a movie.
It is an elation about life that makes you happy to simply be alive and witnessing such pure gratitude and joy, and that is hard to find in today's world.