Holocaust survivor Erika Jacoby and activist Behrouz Assadi
Holocaust survivor Erika Jacoby and activist Behrouz Assadi
Frankfurt mayor Narges Eskandari-Gronenberg hosted the city’s fourth annual Persian New Year (Nowruz) celebration, which included strong condemnations of human rights abuses in Iran and paid tribute to the victims of the crackdown on the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.
The event brought together various organizations, groups, and consulates.
During her address, the Iran-born mayor said that Nowruz represents renewal and hope, transcending religious and ideological boundaries.
“This celebration belongs to 300 million people and is recognized by UNESCO as a celebration of innovation for both humans and nature,” the mayor said.
She condemned the Islamic Republic of Iran for its human rights violations, particularly against women. Among the honored guests were several victims of the Islamic Republic’s crackdown on peaceful protests.
Farideh Salavati, who lost her eyesight after security forces shot more than 40 pellets into her face during a peaceful demonstration, was present alongside Esmail Abdi, a teachers’ union representative who spent nine years in prison for his activism.
“They aim for the head and face to damage the most vital organs,” said Behrouz Assadi, an Iranian-German activist who has lived in Germany since the 1970s. “They do this to instill fear and terror.”
The event had a very special guest: Holocaust survivor Erika Jacoby.
Jacoby has dedicated her life to speaking out against genocide and human rights violations, regularly visiting schools to educate younger generations about the Holocaust.
The mayor drew parallels between different struggles for justice and human dignity.
“Of course, we cannot compare the Holocaust with any other tragedy in history. But it’s very important to bring a Holocaust survivor and Iranian victims together,” Assadi said, “to show that whether as Holocaust survivors or victims of the Islamic Republic, they share a common mission in seeking justice and fighting against forgetting these atrocities.”
“We must keep the spirit of Nowruz alive,” Assadi added. “Nowruz means ‘a new day,’ which is the end of winter and the start of hope for the future. This year’s celebration has taken on a new meaning with the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, showing that people no longer accept dictatorship.”
The Nowruz gathering in Frankfurt paid tribute to those who have sacrificed for freedom in Iran, including those who have been blinded by security forces and the families of executed protesters.
When Iranian victims were introduced, all 700 attendees stood up and applauded them for one minute.
“The mayor specifically thanked those who had to flee Iran and seek refuge here, and acknowledged their sacrifice for the Woman, Life, Freedom movement,” Assadi added.
The mayor also highlighted the contrast between countries where Nowruz is freely celebrated and those like Iran and Afghanistan, where authorities restrict the celebrations due to perceived conflicts with religious interests.
Assadi is based in the city of Mainz and works with victims who’ve been blinded by regime agents during the protests. IranWire has worked on many projects with Assadi in the past, including the stories of two young Iranians, Milad Safari and Erfan Ramizipour, who were blinded in one eye, and Mr. Hassan, who was hit with more than 300 pellets and was blinded in both eyes.
“I try to help those who have lost their most vital organs by bringing them to Germany and providing them with medical assistance and social support. I stand with them in solidarity against forgetting the crimes of the Islamic Republic,” Assadi explained.
“This year’s Nowruz has a different color and flavor,” Assadi said. “It’s about hope - for aspirations without an oppressive and criminal government.”