Nowruz Festival

Nowruz, meaning “new day” in Persian, is an ancient festival marking the vernal equinox and the beginning of the Persian New Year. Rooted in Zoroastrianism, it symbolizes renewal, rebirth, and the triumph of light over darkness. For Zoroastrians, it remains a deeply sacred time, reflecting their cosmology and the annual victory of good over evil.

Beyond Zoroastrianism, Nowruz has been embraced by diverse communities. In Shia Islam, it holds significance for many, with traditions associating it with important religious events. Kurdish communities celebrate it as a crucial expression of their cultural and national identity. Certain Sufi orders also recognize Nowruz. The Baháʼí Faith integrates Nowruz as a holy day, marking the end of their 19-day fast and the start of their new year, connected to the vernal equinox in Tehran and signifying spiritual renewal. It is the first day of the first month of the Bahá’í calendar, named Bahá.

Furthermore, Nowruz is widely celebrated as a secular cultural festival across Central Asia and the Caucasus, regardless of specific religious affiliation. Countries like Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan observe it with festive traditions, reinforcing its role as a unifying celebration of spring and renewal. Thus, Nowruz stands as a testament to the enduring power of cultural traditions to bridge diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, fostering a sense of shared humanity.

Preparations for Nowruz begin weeks in advance, involving a thorough spring-cleaning of homes, symbolizing a fresh start and the removal of negativity from the past year. Families come together to set up the “Haft-Seen” table, an elaborate arrangement of seven symbolic items, each starting with the Persian letter “seen” (س), representing various aspects of life, such as rebirth, health, prosperity, and wisdom.

The Haft-Seen table typically includes items like:

• Sabzeh (wheat, barley, or lentil sprouts) symbolizes rebirth and growth.
• Samanu (a sweet pudding) represents affluence and fertility.
• Senjed (dried fruit from the oleaster tree) symbolizes love and compassion.
• Sir (garlic) represents medicine and good health.
• Sib (apples) symbolizes beauty and health.
• Serkeh (vinegar) represents aging and patience.
• Sumac (dried red berries) symbolizes the sunrise and the triumph of good over evil.