Nowruz Celebration: Persian and Central Asian New Year Celebration
On Friday, April 11, the Slavic Department hosted a joyful celebration of Nowruz, the Persian and Central Asian New Year. The event was co-organized by Professor McReynolds, Chair of the Slavic Department, and Bita Takrimi, a PhD student in Slavic Languages and Literatures, with co-sponsorship from Middle East and North African Studies (MENA) and the South Asia Research Forum (SARF).
The event aimed to introduce the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz and showcase how it is celebrated. Guests enjoyed a vibrant program featuring live music and dance performances from Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, traditional Persian food, and activities such as egg painting, one of the cherished customs of the Nowruz. A beautifully arranged Haft-Seen table welcomed attendees, symbolizing hopes for prosperity, renewal, and joy in the new year. The celebration brought together students, faculty, and community members to honor cultural diversity and build cross-cultural connections through music, food, and shared tradition.
Slavic 328 (City of Cultures, City of Conflict: Prague) exploring authentic Czech cuisine with Prof. Kerlova on the outskirts of Chicago in late January 2024. The evening in Café Prague was hosted by our Slavic alum, Rob Fojtik, the Vice President of Neighborhood Strategy at Choose Chicago, uplifted by the presence of our very recent Slavic alumna, Sydney Matrisciano, currently in her last semester at NU Law School, and facing her double-bar exams in February! She will then start practicing for DLA Piper.