Question:

Thought to update you with current Tehran environment. It is getting a bit warm now, you can easily wear short sleeves, and at the same time you can see mountains covered with snow in not so far distance. People are running, as it is getting closer and closer to Iranian new year called Now-Rooz (means new day). This particular day is the exact time of earth entering a brand new turn around sun. Kids are happy, as they are approaching the official 2 weeks off, some will be in trips, and some will enjoy the family visits and traditional ceremonies.

Answer:

Nowruz is the beginning of the year for the people of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Tajikistan and a few of the Asian republics of the former Soviet Union. The Kurds in Georgia, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey celebrate Nowruz as the New Year festival.

Families gather at haftseen decorated with special traditional foods and items to symbolize the beliefs and values. All of them begin with the sound of the letter "S" — Seeb - apple; Sabzeh - green grass- wheat or lentil sprouts; Serkeh - vinager; Samanoo - a paste made out of wheat; Senjed - a berry native to the region; Sekkeh - a coin; and Seer - garlic. Most haftseen tables also include a small fishbowl with goldfish and a mirror as well.

It is a time of great joy and family celebrations that are shared by people of all faiths in countries that trace history back to the ancient Mesopotamian civilization and the Persian Empire.

The sixth day of the festivities is Zarathustra’s birthday and special celebrations are held to mark the occasion. In "Sizdah Bedar" which is the13th day of the New Year, the parks are filled with families bringing luck by spending the day out of doors. Young girls tie grass on this day to wish for a good husband.

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