San Francisco Bay Area Now Roz Celebration (personal perspectives) By Sonia Rahel Ahmadzai & Soleiman Rahel April-June 1998 Lemar-Aftaab When I first heard about the Afghan New Year Celebration in Pleasanten Fair Grounds in Northern California I thought "here we go again with a bunch of Afghans getting together and fighting again.” Well, what can I say I am an Afghan too; so my first reaction was negative. Fortunately, I was proven wrong. My family and I got together around the afternoon time, in a cloudy and somewhat rainy weather, to check out the festivities. The crowd was very large-- Naame-e Khoda! I had not seen so many Afghans in one place in more then a decade. I checked out the costumes and the food. They had various games (i.e. volleyball, Afghan customs knowledge competition between two local universities). The food was delicious. It felt like being back in Afghanistan. I was pleased with the love and harmony that I witnessed among people. The musicians and comedians on the stage brought joy and laughter on the faces of everyone. Little kids and teenagers appeared proud in showing off their ability to read poems, sing afghan songs, and take part in the fashion show. It was one of the best experiences that I have had in the presence of a few thousand Afghan people in a long time. I hope we have more and more gatherings such as this one in the future. My brother, Soleiman, had slightly different experience. Here it is in his own words: I was very surprised and impressed to see such a great congregation of Afghans in one place. Although sort of intimidated and out of place at first, I soon felt right at home watching smiling faces, smelling the kebab, looking at the Afghan artwork at display, listening to the sound of Afghan music, and best of all watching those colorful kites in the sky. It brought rich memories of Now Roz in Afghanistan, such a sweet sadness. It hurt to think of the past, of those warm sunny days in Kaarta Sah, of noise makers, of all those rides, and delicious food. Alas it is all gone, but thank god our people are not. Although past memories are hard to forget, we can build on new memories to bring joy to us all, now and in future. And this was such a joyous new memory which we will cherish till the next one. Thanks to all the organizers of the fair who made such a wonderful event possible. Now Roz-e taan Pirouz! Copyright © 1998 Aftaabzad Publications. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated or distributed in any form without permission.