Iran Celebrates Nowruz with Hopes High to End Pandemic
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Persian New Year, Nowruz, began on Saturday on the last day of winter, as Iranians are celebrating the beginning of spring with spirits rising for leaving the coronavirus pandemic behind after a difficult year.
In harmony with the rebirth of nature, the Nowruz festivities began on the last day of solar year 1399, which has fallen on March 20 this year.
Sunday (March 21) marks the first day of the New Iranian Year in the solar calendar.
The official beginning of year 1400 that coincides with the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere occurred at 1:07 pm local time, Saturday, in Iran.
From time immemorial, Iranians from all walks of life enthusiastically celebrate the Nowruz, irrespective of their age, language, gender, race, ethnicity, or social status.
This year’s Nowruz has come with growing hopes for the defeat of the coronavirus pandemic that has engulfed the world for more than a year and has taken nearly 2.7 million lives.
People of Iran have been advised to stay home during the Nowruz holidays and refrain from visiting the loved ones which is a main part of the new year’s traditions.
Iran has developed four homegrown coronavirus vaccines, the first of which is in the final stages of clinical trials.
The word Nowruz itself literally means "new day" in the Persian language and the festivity marks the beginning of the solar year as well as the new year on the Iranian national calendars.
This reawakening symbolizes the triumph of good over the evil forces of darkness, which are represented by winter. Nowruz is the point when the oppressive presence of the cold winter finally begins to recede with the commencement of the lively and hopeful spring.
In 2010, the UN General Assembly established March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz. The UN also celebrates the International Day of Happiness, which falls on March 20 every year.
Many countries around the world, including Afghanistan, The Azerbaijan Republic, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan celebrate the auspicious event.
On this occasion, family members usually gather around the Nowruz (Haft-Seen) table, and await the exact moment of the arrival of the spring.
The Haft-Seen table contains seven items whose names begin with a letter in the Persian alphabet which is equivalent to “S” in English. It usually includes Seeb (apple), Sabze (green grass), Serke (vinegar), Samanoo (a delicacy made from sprouted wheat), Senjed (the dried fruit of the oleaster tree), Sekke (coins), and Seer (garlic).