Iranians Face Nowruz Amidst Ongoing War

Fri Mar 20 2026 01:40:14 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

As the Persian New Year approaches, Iranians are grappling with the emotional weight of celebrating Nowruz under the shadow of conflict, impacting traditions and celebrations across the nation.

With the festival of Nowruz just around the corner, Iranians are preparing for a celebration that feels profoundly different this year due to ongoing warfare. The emotional toll is palpable as families face the harsh realities of violence, uncertainty about the future, and a starkly altered festive atmosphere. The upcoming celebrations symbolize resilience amidst chaos, with citizens navigating both enduring traditions and the grim realities of life at war.

In the days leading up to the Persian New Year festival of Nowruz, Iranians traditionally engage in bustling preparations, cleaning their homes, shopping for new clothes, sweets, and snacks. However, this year, the preparation is bittersweet as families grapple with the emotional toll of ongoing warfare.

Mina, a woman in her 50s from Damavand, expressed her sorrow, saying, This year? Every day feels so long. It's like I've lost track of time. Nowruz, meaning new day, marks the beginning of the New Year and the arrival of spring, a festival that has been celebrated for over 3,000 years.

This year's Nowruz will be overshadowed by the conflict that has engulfed Iran since the end of February, with U.S. and Israeli bombing campaigns resulting in significant civilian casualties according to Human Rights Activists in Iran.

Amir, Mina's son, highlighted the economic impact of the war, stating, People are losing their jobs with the war. My biggest worry is our country's infrastructure. At this rate, there might not even be much left of Iran. I don't want this to be our last Nowruz. This sentiment, sadly echoed by many, brings forth the stark reality as they interact with an altered festive landscape.

Amidst the bombardment, markets have seen reduced crowds, leading to quiet streets and limited shopping ahead of the celebrations. Parmis, a young woman from Tehran, noted how anxiety has begun to cloud the joyous preparations of Nowruz saying, It used to be so much easier to find all the items for Nowruz before. Now, if you go anywhere, you're always worried whether you will be caught up in an air strike or not.

Despite the challenging circumstances, some remain defiant, insisting on celebrating the festival's traditions. As Maryam commented, This is a tradition that happens once a year, and we must celebrate it. I bought some items and we had some at home. I'm planning to lay out Haft Sin tomorrow. Yet for others, like Ramtin, the object of discontent is the government rather than the festive spirit. Ramtin expressed disdain for the current regime, questioning the meaning of celebration under these circumstances.

As the day draws near, concerns linger regarding the dichotomy of festivities alongside persistent violence, with many hopeful yet apprehensive about how they will celebrate Nowruz amidst the backdrop of war. Mina's poignant wish encapsulated this sentiment: When the new year comes, I don't know whether the sound of the holiday announcement on TV will be mixed with the noise of missiles and drones… but I really hope not. It’s a reminder of both the fragility of life and enduring human resilience, valuing tradition even in uncertain times.