On March 21, thousands of Kurds across the United States gathered to celebrate Newroz, the Kurdish New Year. For decades, lighting the fire on the night before Newroz has been a cherished tradition among Kurds. This flame symbolizes freedom, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Kurdish people.

The Kurdistani Diaspora Center of Nashville (KDC), in partnership with the Kurdish Culture and Music Association, hosted a vibrant Newroz Fire Lighting Celebration on March 20, 2026, welcoming spring and honoring this centuries-old Kurdish tradition. Ipek Ismael, a Kurdish activist and the Vice President of the KDC, donned traditional Kurdish clothes alongside her family and friends, proudly displaying the Kurdistan flag as they held torches to light the fire.

For Kurds, Newroz signifies new beginnings, renewed hope, and victory over oppression and hardship. Ipek reflects on the significance of this day, stating, “No matter how long the struggle, how heavy the discrimination, or how dark the times, freedom and light will always arrive. It is a celebration of resilience, renewal, and the unbreakable spirit of our nation. Each flame we light carries hope, courage, and the promise that a brighter beginning is always possible.”

Nashville, Tennessee, is home to the largest Kurdish community in the United States. This year, for the first time since 2006, the Tennessee Kurdish Community Council (TKCC) celebrated Newroz on March 21, the date of the actual holiday, making this year’s event particularly special. The event welcomed approximately 10,000 attendees, including city leaders, partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters who shared inspiring remarks and joined in the festivities.

TKCC President Tabeer Sindi told Kurdistan Chronicle that every year, their dedicated team works tirelessly to create a vibrant and inclusive program so that everyone can enjoy the celebration. “Our mission is to educate our youth about the deeper meaning of Newroz and share our history and culture with non-Kurdish friends and neighbors through impactful, educational programming.”

Each year, TKCC sets a theme reflecting the realities and current events in Kurdistan. This year’s theme honored Western Kurdistan (northern Syria) and Eastern Kurdistan (northwestern Iran), featuring special performances dedicated to both regions. The program included a stunning Kurdish fashion show directed by a Kurdish designer Aleda Eva highlighting the beauty of Kurdish attire and identity. 

“We also featured a moving pantomime performance that depicted the silence of the world in the face of Kurdish suffering – a poignant reminder of the resilience of our people,” Sindi said. “TKCC’s commitment to cultural recognition and advocacy has achieved remarkable milestones.”

In 2023, the Mayor of Nashville issued a proclamation recognizing Newroz as an official holiday in the city. Students and employees in Nashville can now request a day off to celebrate Kurdish New Year – an extraordinary acknowledgment of the community’s presence and contributions.

This year’s Newroz arrives amid significant change and challenges in the Middle East, particularly due to the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. The Kurdistan Region has been under attack by Iran and its proxies since the conflict started. However, this has not deterred the Kurds from celebrating. On March 20, the Newroz fire was lit at the Erbil Citadel in the presence of President Masoud Barzani.

Read more: Kurdish Leaders Mark Newroz with Calls for Unity

In the United States, celebrations extended beyond Nashville; the holiday was also commemorated in parts of New York, Texas, Washington State, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.

In Chicago, Illinois, the Newroz festivities brought together Kurds from all parts of Kurdistan. “Newroz is a deeply meaningful occasion for our people, symbolizing freedom, renewal, unity, and cultural identity,” a spokesperson from the Kurdish Cultural Center of Illinois (KCCI) told Kurdistan Chronicle.

Rewan Zagros, a KCCI board member, highlighted that a Kurdish singer Ibrahim Rojhilat was a part of this year’s Newroz celebration in Chicago. “We organized this event in collaboration with the Kurdish Association of Washington, reflecting the strong cooperation and unity between Kurdish organizations in the diaspora.”

For Zagros, Newroz is not only a celebration, but also an important way to pass Kurdish culture and traditions to the next generation and to build connections between Kurds from different parts of Kurdistan.

The celebration of Newroz in the United States brought families from all corners of the Kurdish diaspora together. The festival fostered a warm and festive atmosphere, honoring Kurdish culture while promoting unity and cultural pride among attendees.