The will to survive, be free, and thrive is so strong in humans that when faced with the harsh realities of everyday life, many withdraw into alternate realities and parallel universes that are constructed by their imagination.
These fanciful ideas stem from a deep-seated desire and eternal quest for freedom, peace, safety, security, happiness, and prosperity.
Humans live only once, and tragically, many people spend their entire lives under despotic rule, which deprive them of their fundamental human rights.
In all cultures across the world, however, a New Year marks renewed hopes for a better future.
The vernal equinox, which falls around March 20 or 21, marks the first day of spring and the start of the Iranian New Year, Nowruz. It symbolizes renewal and rebirth.
The Christian New Year coincides with the Shabe-e Yalda (Yalda Night), an ancient Persian festival that symbolizes the rebirth of the Sun and the triumph of light over darkness. It falls on December 21, which is the longest and darkest night of the year, marking the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere.
Most Iranians believe that 2020 will usher in a promising, positive, and hopeful chapter in their struggle against tyranny and the desire for a better life. Their rage and passion have brought the country out of the social, political, economic, and cultural deep freeze that it has been in for the last 40 years.
The Islamic Republic successfully tightened its grip on the country in the first decade of its rule. However, the 1,400-year-old incompetent zombie religious ideologues who have been running the country for four decades cannot meet the demands of Iran’s intelligent and driven youth.
It was, therefore, inevitable that the two opposing forces should face each other, eventually.
One group comprises ancient theocratic zombies who stop at nothing to ensure their survival, including exploiting ordinary citizens and violating their fundamental human rights.
The other group comprises young, intelligent, bright, and capable Iranian youths whose aim is to make a better future for themselves and return the ideological zombies to their ancient graves.
The battle between these two groups, which have been raging for the past 40 years, has now reached its climax. The zombies, whose hands and faces are drenched in the blood of Iranian youths, refuse to crawl back into their hole.
Meanwhile, the imaginary parallel world where democracy governs will soon become a manifest destiny for Iran. National unity is the only force that could help this new reality to survive and strive.
The memory of those who have died fighting for freedom will live in the hearts and minds of young Iranians who continue their struggle against tyranny.
[Translated from Persian by Fardine Hamidi]
