WASHINGTON DC - Kurds, Americans and people from other countries gathered at the American University in Washington on Wednesday to celebrate the Kurdish New Year (Newroz).
Some Americans attended the event wearing the traditional Kurdish clothing.
"It feels great to be here. It is such an honor. I am so happy that my fried invited me to come with her. And I am wearing the Kurdish dress because she invited me to, and because I wanted to celebrate properly for my first time, celebrating Newroz with Kurdish people," Zenaida Rowe, a student at the university, told Rudaw.
This is the second consecutive year that Newroz is being celebrated at the American University. In addition to offering Kurdish food and music, a brief presentation about Newroz was given to the participants.
The event was organized by the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace at the School of International Services at the American University in Washington D.C.
Hawzhin Abdulrahman is a master's student. She said celebrating Newroz outside Kurdistan Region is not easy.
"When you leave Kurdistan, it's difficult to celebrate with your loved ones like in Kurdistan, but... at the American University, for two years we've been trying to bring Kurds together in a Kurdish and pleasant atmosphere, in a special way with Kurdish food and clothing to celebrate this occasion," she said.
Shvan Goyani is a student. He said for him Newroz is a "sacred day."
"Our American and non-American friends have come to see what Newroz means and why it's important for Kurdistan, so we're very happy. We would have liked to be in Kurdistan, but this year we celebrated Nowruz here."
Every year in America, Newroz is celebrated in several different cities and states. Besides Kurds, other peoples such as Persians, Afghans, and Azerbaijanis also celebrate this festival. The largest Newroz celebration this year is scheduled for April 6 in Nashville, known as Little Kurdistan.
