Salaam, hello – I’m John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country and Government Liaison to the Persian and Iranian Community in Canada.
Nowrouz is the time of renewal of nature. This is one celebration that Canadians and Iranians can share, especially if you spent time in Ottawa this winter – oh my, it has been COLD!
Regardless of your background, I hope throughout your life you will, like Persian people, share a sense of awe in the way nature refreshes itself after a hard winter. For many in Iran, it’s been several long years of “hard winter”. As Nowrouz comes, let’s keep in thought and prayer the political prisoners and other persecuted people in Iran.
Putting governments aside, let’s focus for a second on the people-to-people aspects of springtime. People also refresh and rejuvenate themselves at the time of Nowrouz. Once we are open to that sense of renewal, we can look beyond the coldness and darkness of anger and bitterness, and get on with the springtime in people’s souls, that will bring peace - SOLH, love – ESHGH, and freedom - AAZAADI!
Happy Nowrouz to all people of Iranian background, in Canada, in Iran, and elsewhere.
I bring greetings from Prime Minister Stephen Harper and to all people who celebrate Nowrouz.
In the tradition of Hafez, Sa'adee, Omar High-yam, Rumi, and other great Persian poets, I have in each of the last four years tried my own hand at a poem, in honor of the Canadian-Iranian people. Here is my poem for 2015. It’s called:
Seven Blessing of Nowrouz
At this special time in history
When relations seem so tense,
Certain blessings help us
Find our peace and common sense.
A guarantee where all can win
And no one ever lose
Is for all of us to learn and share
Seven blessings of Nowrouz.
The Sofreh-yeh Haft Seen contains
What wise old prophets said:
Seven blessings of Nowrouz
Include the lotus fruit, Senjed.
Senjed helps people fall in love;
Somagh can bring them hope.
Serkeh connotes age and long life –
They all define life’s scope.
Samanoo as a pudding sweet
Connotes the wish for wealth;
Sabzeh - or sprouts – stand for rebirth;
Sib , apples, stand for health.
The seventh Haft Seen item, Sir ,
Stands for medicine.
It’s garlic there to share with you
To make you strong within.
This time of tension in the world
Can threaten all that’s good;
But in comes sunlight of Nowrouz –
Dance and sing, we should.
As Persians share their gift of spring
And, yes, their great cuisine,
Let’s celebrate aazaadi’s call
As we gather round Haft-seen.
...
Read the full script at [ Ссылка ]
