Iran Celebrates Nowruz with Hopes for Better Century
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Persian New Year, Nowruz, began on Sunday on the last day of winter, as Iranians are celebrating the beginning of spring as well as the new century in the Persian calendar with spirits rising for leaving a difficult year.
The Nowruz celebrations began on the last day of the solar year 1400, which fell on March 20 this year, in keeping harmony with the rebirth of nature..
Monday (March 21) marks the first day of the New Iranian Year and the beginning of a new century in the Persian solar calendar.
The official beginning of year 1401 that coincides with the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere occurred at 7:03 pm local time, Sunday, 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 better future as the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei once again stresses the importance of boosting domestic production, as he had done in past years.
Unlike the previous years that the people of Iran would be advised to stay home during the Nowruz holidays and refrain from visiting the loved ones because of coronavirus pandemic, people are now more enthusiastic to participate at the main part of the new year’s traditions, after the restrictions reduced.
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).
