Lower thirds:

00:18 Report by / Amy Stockdale

Script:

Sprouts for rebirth, apples for beauty, and garlic for health. With the arrival of spring, families arrange seven symbols on the Haft-Seen table to welcome Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Rooted in ancient Persian and Zoroastrian traditions, the festival dates back around 3000 years. 
Today it’s celebrated by more than 300 million people around the world. 

00:23
+++ SOT 1 - Female +++
"Persians celebrate it every year, and it's a big part of what the community uses to come together like today here at this market."

00:32
+++ SOT 2 - Male +++
"For me, well, for me right now especially, means the light that comes after darkness."

00:39
This year, in Washington DC, celebrations feel subdued under the shadow of the US-Israeli war with Iran. This market, in its 9th year, is organized by the local community, by people like Ryan.

00:51 (Start in OFF)
+++ SOT Ryan +++
"You know, this is really about community and gathering and being together. I think in the tradition of Nowruz, it's about celebrating renewal and renewal of life and what hopes and wishes we all have for the new year, and an opportunity to adorn ourselves in I think what is really common amongst all humanity, which is like this light that we all have that we can share and be for each other. So in moments of strife and sadness, I can only say for myself I've been more sad these last 14 days than I have in the last 14 years, but Being around other people and even if we don't agree on everything is the best way to be human."

01:36
For many families here, thoughts of loved ones back home are never far away. Messages get through, but not often.

01:44
+++ SOT 4 Female +++
"Our family back home, my grandmother, my aunts and uncles, we rarely touch base with. So it's just, it's still, life goes on, but it's a very dark cloud hanging over our heads."

01:56
+++ SOT 5 Female +++
"We have very limited communication with them, but I get a phone call a week and they're in their homes putting themselves on house, the ones that they can are putting themselves on like house arrest basically. And I'm sure they're going to have like a little family celebration at some point."

02:15
Though celebrations feel different, people are still keeping their traditions alive.

02:20
+++SOT 6 Female +++
"I get my flowers, like tulips. and hyacinth and I set up, I clean my home. We got to do the clean the home, spring cleaning. And then after that, I spend a lot of time cooking and being with family and friends."

02:35
Visitors were invited to write their hopes for the new year.

02:39 (Starts in OFF)
+++ SOT 7 Male +++ 
"I think that's what we all need now, is more peace, more loving, more like, you know, integration, more of like, you know, caring. I think that's what we want, more humanity. I think thats the most important thing."

02:57
+++ SOT 8 Female +++
"I just hope for some relief for the people of Iran."

03:01
+++ SOT 9 Female +++
"Freedom for people of Iran and peace."

END