Marzieh Ghiasi

Spring has arrived and the McGill campus looks absolutely stunning…

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.

- Albert Camus        

The eternal Persian poet Saadi once wrote:

بنى آدم اعضاء يك پیکرند، که در آفرينش ز يك گوهرند
چو عضوى به درد آورد روزگار، دگر عضوها را نماند قرار
تو که از محنت دیگران بیغمی، نشاید که نامت نهند ادمی

“The children of humanity are each other’s limbs
That share an origin in their creator
When one limb passes its days in pain
The other limbs cannot remain easy
You who feel no pain at the suffering of others
It is not fitting for you to be called human”

Nearly, a thousand years later, Saadi’s words echo through the passages of time. “Bani Adam”… the children of Adam– humanity is, as always, going through its seasons: sorrow, happiness, suffering, and enlightenment. For me, this past year has been a year of seasons, changes, experiences that I can’t really put into words. From home, family, familiarity… I have had the opportunity to come to one of the most fascinating, hipest cities in the world. I’ve met and become close to some of the most wonderful, talented, creative, and caring people in the world. I’ve felt thrilled, anguished, happy, exhausted… I have challenged myself, failed, succeeded, and grown. Last year, I asked for a great year, four seasons have passed, and not only have I had a great year, but in a way I have become a better person.

A new year, a new season, and a new reason has arrived–

I just wanted to take time on this 1st day of Farvardin, this first day of spring, to wish all Iranians, and others who celebrate the new day across the world, a wonderful Norouz and the wonderful new year… As the saying goes, harouzetan norouz, norouzetan pirouz!

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