Newroz

Newroz, also written Nowruz or Nawruz, is the traditional celebration of the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring. The name means "new day" in Persian. It is observed at the vernal equinox, when day and night are approximately equal, and marks the start of the new year in the Iranian calendar. The festival is celebrated by diverse communities across Iran, Afghanistan, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Balkans, and parts of the Middle East, including Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Turkmen, and others.

Origins of Nowruz are ancient, rooted in rites of renewal and agriculture. It has pre-Islamic Persian and Zoroastrian associations, though today it is celebrated by many Muslim and non-Muslim communities as a seasonal holiday that emphasizes renewal, family, and communal harmony.

Preparations begin weeks in advance with spring cleaning (khaneh tekani), shopping, and decorating homes. A central feature is the Haft-Seen table, set with seven items beginning with the Persian letter "seen" and symbolizing renewal: sabzeh (sprouted greens), samanu (sweet pudding), seer (garlic), seeb (apple), somaq (sumac), serkeh (vinegar), and coins (sekkeh).

Other customs include Chaharshanbe Suri, a fire festival held on the eve of Nowruz in which people jump over flames to release illness and misfortune. Families visit relatives, exchange gifts, and share festive foods such as sabzi polo mahi and various sweets. Sizdah Be-dar, the 13th day, is spent outdoors in picnics to avert bad luck.

Nowruz is recognized as a cultural heritage by international institutions. In 2010, UNESCO inscribed Nowruz on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a shared tradition across several countries. It remains a public holiday in Iran and several other states, and is observed by diaspora communities worldwide.