Persian New Year

Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year, is a centuries-old festival celebrated by millions of people around the world, particularly in Iran and other parts of Central Asia. 

It is a time for joy, renewal, and reflection, as families and communities gather to welcome the arrival of spring and mark the beginning of a new year. The word "Nowruz" translates to "new day" in Persian, and it is observed on the first day of the spring equinox, usually falling on March 20th or 21st.

The festival has ancient roots in Zoroastrianism, a pre-Islamic religion that was once widely practiced in Persia, and it has since been adapted and integrated into various cultures and religions over time. Nowruz celebrations typically begin several weeks before the actual holiday, with people cleaning their homes, buying new clothes, and preparing traditional foods.

On the day of the festival, families gather around a table known as a "haft-seen," which is adorned with seven symbolic items that begin with the Persian letter "S," such as apples (Seeb), garlic (Seer), and coins (Sekeh). These items represent themes such as rebirth, health, and prosperity. I and many other Australian-Iranians throw parties for these festivities and cook traditional Nowruz food. The most common of which is fish with herbs and rice.

Throughout the day, people exchange gifts, visit friends and relatives, and participate in various cultural activities such as dancing, singing, and storytelling. One of the most important customs of Nowruz is the practice of "sizdah bedar," which involves spending the 13th day of the festival outdoors, often in parks or countryside settings, to enjoy nature and let go of any remaining negative energy from the previous year.

"Nowruz is not only a time for personal reflection and renewal but also a celebration of cultural identity and diversity. It is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and is celebrated by millions of people worldwide, regardless of their background or beliefs."Niloufar Rokoei, Faculty Administration Coordinator, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics

Nowruz is not only a time for personal reflection and renewal but also a celebration of cultural identity and diversity. It is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and is celebrated by millions of people worldwide, regardless of their background or beliefs. As such, it serves as a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the importance of community in our global society. Above is my haft-sin table.

Words from Nilou
Niloufar Rokoei
Faculty Administration Coordinator, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics, The University of Adelaide

A note from Andrew van der Vlies - Deputy Dean, People and Culture, and Anne Hewitt - Associate Dean, Gender, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We always welcome feedback and suggestions for ABLE communications. This instalment is the result of just such an approach from a colleague – Nilou Rokoei, Faculty Administration Coordinator for ABLE, approached us to ask whether she might share her experience of the Persian New Year with colleagues, and we are delighted to oblige. As Nilou notes, there are relatively few members of the Iranian or Persian diaspora in ABLE compared with, for example, Health and Medical Sciences. All the more reason to be able to wish our colleagues who celebrate at this time a Very Happy Persian New Year