You are all familiar with January 1st as New Year’s Day. Some of you may also be familiar with Chinese New Year, which falls sometime between January 21st and February 20th. But have you ever heard of the Persian New Year, known as Norouz or Nowruz?
The word Norouz means “new day” in Farsi – the predominant language in Iran – and signifies the beginning of spring. Norouz is celebrated on March 21st this year, and to prepare for it Persians (who form about 60% of the Iranian population) and other ethnic groups from all over the world will deep clean their houses so that they can enter the new year with a fresh start. Also in the run up to Norouz comes the festival of Chaharshanbe Suri (which means Festive Wednesday) during which people gather together to jump over fires.
We also set up a full table called the Sofre Haft-sin, which has to include the following seven items that all start with the letter “S” in Farsi: seer (garlic); sumac (Persian spice); senjed (dried fruit); sabzeh (Norouz sprouts); samanu (brown pudding); sib (apple); and serkeh (vinegar). Other items that can make it into the display include a goldfish to symbolise life; painted eggs; a mirror; coins; a hyacinth; pastry; and a book of Persian poems. This is my first year setting up a Haft-sin table all on my own. I managed to buy all the items I needed in a Persian food store and café in London, and laid them carefully out for you to see.
Norouz is a bit like Christmas: families gather for dinner and exchange presents – though the painting of the eggs reminds me of Easter, which is celebrated around the same time of year.
One traditional Norouz dish is Sabzi Polo va Mahi, which is fish served with rice and other ingredients such as broad beans. For my version I heated up some pre-cooked rice that I bought at the same food store and added some tuna on the side. As for my drink, I bought some doogh, which is a famous Persian carbonated yoghurt drink that goes very well with this dish. Sabzi Polo va Mahi is supposed to represent the greenery of spring and flowers blossoming.
Sabzi Polo va Mahi
The Norouz celebration lasts for 13 days, which people take off work so that families can get together. On the thirteenth day families and friends plan a trip. Famvourite destinations for Persians living in Iran include Mazandaran by the sea in northern Iran, and Antalya in Turkey. This outing is called Sizdah Bedar.
Norouzetan Pirooz! (Happy Norouz)
