March 21, 2023
Department
DATE: March 21, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Councilmember Soheila
Bana
Subject:
March 21, 2023 - Nowruz, or Persian New Year, in the
City of Richmond.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
On March 21, 2023, the City of Richmond recognizes
Nowruz, or Persian New Year, to mark the beginning of
spring; stand in solidarity with Iranian women in their fight for equality; and to wish Nowruz Mobarak to our entire
community.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
PROCLAMATION recognizing March 21, 2023, as
Nowruz, or Persian New Year, in the City of Richmond -
Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503) and
Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-620-6743).
DISCUSSION:
The Bay Area is home to a large and vibrant Persian community, with many residents hailing from Iran or other parts of the Persian-speaking world.
AGENDA
REPORT
March 21, 2023
Nowruz, or the Persian New Year, is a pivotal holiday that occurs at the beginning of spring and signifies the New Year in many countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia. The word "Nowruz" means "New Day" in Persian, and the holiday is typically observed on the first day of the vernal equinox, which typically falls on March 20th or 21st. This important holiday has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and transcends ethnicities, religious faiths, international borders. Its celebration, which uplifts motifs and rituals that predate the Abrahamic faiths, has outlasted religious and cultural oppression for centuries.
In 2023, Nowruz specifically occurs from Monday, Mar 20, 2023 2:24 PM to Tuesday, Mar 21, 2023 2:24 PM. This proclamation uses the United Nations Resolution (Attachment 2), which recognizes March 21 as International Nowruz Day, to establish March 21 as Nowruz in the City of Richmond.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proclamation Declaring March 21, 2023 as Persian New Year in the City of Richmond
Attachment 2 – United Nations Resolution from the 64th session, Agenda Item 49