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GLENDALE -- More than
100,000 people of Iranian ancestry in Los Angeles
County are ringing in the new year in a
3,000-year-old tradition that is the culture's
most important and popular annual celebration.
Known as Nowruz, the
Iranian or Persian New Year celebration of life
and renewal started March 20, the first day of
spring, and lasts 13 days.
"Like nature that
rejuvenates on the first day of spring, it is a
new world, a new season, and those who believe in
it should also take it as a time to clean
everything, forget about old enmities, renew old
friendships and start a new season in their lives
in every sense of the word," said Hormoz Hekmat,
editor of the quarterly Iran Nameh, based in
Maryland.
For the past week, one of
the most visible signs of the celebration in most
Iranian homes has been the "haft seen," a display
symbolizing longevity, health and good fortune.
The display typically
includes seven items: sprouts to represent
rebirth; a pudding symbolizing new life; apples
for health and beauty; lotus fruit for love;
garlic representing medicine; berries symbolizing
good conquering evil; and vinegar to represent age
and patience. |
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Other items sometimes also
included are coins for prosperity, a basket of
eggs for fertility, goldfish symbolizing life, and
candles representing enlightenment and happiness.
Traditional belief holds
that 13 days after the new year starts, to dispel
any bad luck and negativity associated with the
number, Iranians spend the day outdoors.
This year, about 50,000
people of Iranian ancestry are expected to mark
the occasion Sunday at Balboa Park in one of the
largest Nowruz celebrations in Southern
California.
"It's a big day. Nowruz
is very important to us," said Roberto Soofiani,
the event's organizer. "It's a big party because
in the Persian community, they like to be together
and celebrate."
In Iran -- a country
where religion, ethnicity and nationality divide
many of its people -- Nowruz is the only national
holiday that transcends those differences. In
fact, after the 1979 revolution in Iran, theocrats
banned the holiday, but widespread opposition
forced them to rescind their decision, Hekmat
said.
"It doesn't matter if
you're Jewish, Christian, or Behai. This is the
new year for all Persians. It's our culture," said
Mohammad Vahabzadeh, 48, manager of Shirin Persian
Restaurant in Woodland Hills. |
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Even younger generations are
drawn to the spirit and message of the holiday,
observing the traditions along with their elders.
"This is the most
celebrated, the most welcome event, the most
significant event in Iran that the younger
generation is proud of," said Jaleh Pirnazar,
professor of Iranian Studies at University of
California at Berkeley. "The symbols mean
something to them. The fact that it has been with
us for thousands of years speaks to a need
students have for heritage."
That holds true for
student Yvette Shahgaldian.
"It's important to me
because I celebrate this every year. I want to
keep this tradition and pass it on to my
children," said Shahgaldian, 23, of Glendale. "I
remember back in Iran waiting the whole year for
this event. It's a beautiful celebration of life
and culture."
Naush Boghossian,
(818) 546-3306
naush.boghossian@dailynews.com |
