Johnson Springs into Nowruz with Second Annual Celebration

by Tyler Hines | 2024-03-26

On March 13, 2024, NASA Johnson Space Center employees came together in the building 3 collaboration space to honor Nowruz, a festival that marks the beginning of spring and has symbolized hope and renewal throughout human history.

The second annual Nowruz celebration was hosted by Johnson’s Asians Succeeding in Innovation and Aerospace (ASIA) Employee Resource Group (ERG) and other Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander ERGs across the agency.

Eight people pose for a photo inside of a large cafeteria with windows behind them. — *Johnson Space Center employees join for an in-person celebration of Nowruz in the building 3 collaboration space. Photo credit: NASA/James Blair*

As spring draws closer, the Johnson workforce came together for the agencywide virtual event to recognize the more than 3,000-year-old Nowruz holiday, known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Translated in Persian to “new day” the festival holiday embodies a time of renewal for individuals and cultures around the world as part of the spring equinox throughout South and Central Asia, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and Eastern Africa, to name a few.

Guest speakers and presenters from various centers participated in the event, including Ames Research Center Director Eugene Tu. “We all understand the importance of diversity and understanding each other’s cultures and backgrounds, with it being imperative for our mission,” said Tu.

Four people sit in front of a television and watch the screen. Snacks, flowers, and a computer are on a table in front of them. — Members of Johnson Space Center’s Asians Succeeding in Innovation and Aerospace (ASIA) Employee Resource Group connected virtually with colleagues across the country to celebrate Nowruz. Photo credit: NASA/James Blair

Attendees were immersed in cultural songs, poetry, and stories to commemorate the Persian New Year. The Johnson participants had the unique opportunity to not only sample traditional food, such as Turkish delight and Sohan (brittle) from Iran, but also share their own perspectives and connections to Nowruz. “Personally, it is rather important to me that NASA allows us the opportunity to highlight and celebrate such a culturally significant holiday that has great value to many members of our diverse community,” said Kimia Seyedmadani, one of the ASIA ERG hosts for the event.

For more information on ASIA and other ERGs at Johnson, visit the Johnson Employee Resource Groups website.