Seattle-Isfahan Sister City Advocacy Persian New Year (Nowruz) March 23, 2025 Celebration in Seattle City Hall

About This Grant

Free and open to the public, the fifth annual Seattle-Isfahan Sister City Advocacy (SISCA) Persian New Year (Nowruz) celebration from 12 pm to 5 pm, Sunday, March 23, 2025, will transform Seattle City Hall into a vibrant, colorful, energy-filled space. We aim to celebrate the art, culture, and traditions from the spectrum of local immigrant co-celebrant Persian-heritage cultures including Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey. The Lobby will feature displays of traditional and modern Persian artwork and craft demonstrations, as well as local Persian-focused NGOs at information tables, and a Kids Corner. The auditorium will host lively performances of dance, music, and song; speakers from across the diaspora; and elected officials. We expect 1,500 attendees with half of non-Persian-heritage. Our goal is to benefit and lift up our communities by celebrating together and to help counter the persistent negative images of so many Persianate countries that appear in U.S. media.