As Kurds throughout the world celebrate Newroz, the Kurdish New Year observed each year in March, a number of U.S-based Kurdish cultural organizations held events commemorating the holiday.

On March 20, the Kurdistani Diaspora Center of Nashville celebrated Newroz in Nashville, Tennessee. The organization, dedicated to uniting Kurds from all parts of Kurdistan, hosted the event to honor the fire of Newroz, a symbol of freedom and the resilience of the Kurdish people. People from various regions of Kurdistan gathered to mark this significant occasion.

The event began with a warm welcome from Nizar Sharanshi, the president of the organization, who briefly discussed the importance of Newroz. Nigar Ahmad, the organization’s treasurer, who is from Eastern Kurdistan (northwestern Iran), moved the audience with a heartfelt poem about the Kurdish people.

Ipek Ismael, vice president of the Kurdistani Diaspora Center, delivered a speech in Kurdish about the history of Newroz. When speaking to Kurdistan Chronicle, Ismael emphasized that the organization’s aim is to unite Kurds and introduce Kurdish culture, history, and heritage to the younger generations who grew up in the United States. “Leaders from other Kurdish organizations also attended, reinforcing the strong support and connection within the broader Kurdish community in Nashville,” she added.

The celebration concluded with an invitation for everyone to join the Newroz fire ceremony, a fitting end to a night of unity and cultural pride.

Additionally, on March 23, 2025, the Kurdish Cultural Center of Illinois (KCCI) proudly hosted a memorable Newroz celebration, uniting Kurdish communities and allies from across the Chicago area and beyond. This year’s event was particularly significant, as attendees gathered with a strong sense of unity and solidarity. Held at the Crystal Grand Banquet in Lemont, the celebration was a night of cultural pride, music, and togetherness that deeply resonated with everyone present.

The evening commenced with the playing of the Kurdish national anthem, “Ey Reqip,” which set a powerful tone and symbolized the enduring strength and unity of the Kurdish people. The event featured extraordinary live performances by renowned Kurdish artists Farqin Azad, Turan Yapistiran, Arash, and Azad, whose music uplifted the crowd and brought the spirit of Newroz to life.

Rewan Zagros, KCCI’s outreach chairperson, highlighted to Kurdistan Chronicle that, as part of the Ramadan observance, a communal dinner was served at iftar time, reinforcing the theme of togetherness and shared traditions. “This year’s Newroz was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Iranian Heritage Foundation, a valued Assyrian-owned business, and several local Kurdish businesses,” he noted. Their support underscores the growing cross-community solidarity and the thriving Kurdish entrepreneurial spirit in the area.

As Rewan emphasized, KCCI is proud to be one of the most inclusive Kurdish organizations in North America, serving as a home for Kurds from all parts of Kurdistan, and even Kurds from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. This diversity was reflected throughout the celebration, fostering a sense of pride and connection that made this Newroz feel particularly special and unifying.