Nowruz and Vernal Equinox Day: traditions and customs

Nowruz is an ancient holiday celebrated in many countries and cultures, which symbolises the beginning of the spring equinox and the beginning of the new year. This holiday has deep historical roots and a rich cultural heritage, which is still reflected in festive rituals and traditions. Nowruz, this truly beautiful ancient festival that has been celebrated for more than three thousand years in Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and other countries.

Nowruz is celebrated in March, when day and night are equal, symbolising the balance between light and darkness.

As part of the celebration of Nowruz, there are various rituals and traditions that are filled with symbolism and superstitions. One of the main rituals of this holiday is collecting seven different kinds of seeds (wheat, barley, rice, sesame, pea, chickpea and lilac seeds), which are then sprouted and decorated on the festive table. This thick sweet pudding made from sprouted grains is considered a symbol of fertility, abundance and prosperity.

During Nowruz, people wear brightly coloured national clothes, decorate houses and streets, organise music and dance performances, sports competitions and fairs. On this day it is also customary to receive guests, gifts and congratulations, to share joy and kindness.

Nowruz unites people regardless of religion, nationality and culture in festive fun, unites souls with its symbolism of renewal, rebirth and hope for a better future.

Nowruz celebrations in Iran in 2024

Iran always celebrates Nowruz in a big way. Thus, a high-ranking official told how it will be held in the tourist city of Iran. According to Mohsen Masoum-Alizadeh, head of the tourism department in Hamedan, a total of 128 programmes related to Nowruz are scheduled to be held, while another 78 events are planned in other parts of the west-central province.

He stressed that these events, running from 15 March to 13 April, aim to celebrate the Persian New Year as well as respect the traditions of the holy month of Ramadan.

“The programmes will encompass a variety of activities,” the official stated, “arranged to take place adjacent to the historical sites and touristic spots.”
Expecting an influx of visitors during the holiday season, Mohsen Masoum-Alizadeh emphasised that Hamedan has prepared accommodation for more than 6,600 guests, with capacity expected to exceed 21,000 per day when informal and emergency accommodation options are taken into account.

Masum-Alizadeh also said that 13 exhibitions and bazaars are planned to be held in Hamedan to showcase local handicrafts and souvenirs, while more than 140 stalls will offer a wide range of traditional products to tourists. This is reported by Tehran Times, a partner of TV BRICS.

Traditional dishes on Nowruz in Iran

Traditional dishes served during Nowruz include sabzi polo (rice with greens and herbs), kookoo sabzi (omelette with various green herbs), aash-e reshteh (noodle and bean soup) and mahi doodi (smoked fish).

The celebration of Nowruz is an opportunity to mark the beginning of a new beginning, to support our loved ones, to honour the past and to face the future with optimism and hope. This holiday reminds us of the eternal circularity of time and life, the cyclical nature of change and the constancy of tradition. May Nowruz bring joy, goodness and prosperity to the hearts of all who have celebrated it for centuries.

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