By Hasse-Nima Golkar
ALL KINDS OF HAPPINESS, ESPECIALLY THE NOWROUZ CELEBRATION IN ITS ENTIRETY, ARE A POISONOUS AND DEADLY SPEAR IN THE HEART OF THE FASCIST SHIA ISLAMIC STATE IN IRAN!
Nowrouz (Nevrouz) is a folk festival derived from the combination of the words “New” and “Day.” It marks the first day of spring — the Spring Equinox — and the beginning of the new year in the Iranian calendar. This event occurs annually between March 20-21.
The spring equinox takes place when the center of the solar disk crosses the boundary between the southern and northern hemispheres. It is not a day-long event but a precise moment that occurs at different times worldwide, depending on the time zone.
This year, that moment occurs on Thursday, March 20, 2025, precisely at 10:01:30 CET and 12:31:30 in Iran. From the exact 31th second, the first day of the Iranian New Year begins. However, from a cultural-political perspective, this calculation may vary among some Iranians. The “official” year in today’s Iran is Islamic Sun Year 1404.
Although the historical origins of Nowrouz remain unclear, it has been celebrated as a Spring Festival for over 3,000 years throughout the Iranian Plateau. Its observance has spread to many parts of the world, including Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Kurdistan, Russia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and beyond.
The UN General Assembly officially recognized Nowrouz as an international day on February 23, 2010.
Nowrouz celebrations are traditionally divided into three parts:
- The Fire Celebration / Chahar Shanbeh Soori
- New Year’s Eve with HAFT-SIN
- Thirteen Day (Sizdah Bedar)
- The Fire Celebration (Chahar Shanbeh Soori)
The final evening before the last Wednesday of the year is known as “Chahar Shanbeh Soori” (Wednesday Festivity). This evening features unique customs and rituals, most notably jumping over fire flames, which symbolizes purification, enlightenment, and joy for the upcoming year. Participants usually create seven fires in a row and leap over them while chanting: “Zardi-e-man-az-to, Sorkhi-e-to-az-man!”
This translates to: “My sickly yellow color for you, and your healthy red color for me!”
- New Year’s Eve with HAFT-SIN (Seven S’s)
The New Year’s Eve celebration (Eid) involves setting a symbolic table called HAFT-SIN, which displays seven edible items whose names begin with the letter “S.” While interpretations vary, the most widely accepted symbols are:
- Sabzeh (Green Grass): Symbol of Rebirth and Growth
- Samanu (Memma/Mämmi): Symbol of Power and Strength
- Senjed (Dried Lotus Fruit): Symbol of Love and Compassion
- Siir (Garlic): Symbol of Medicine and Health
- Siib (Apple): Symbol of Beauty and Well-being
- Somagh (Sumac Powder): Symbol of Sunrise and Patience
- Serkeh (Vinegar): Symbol of Wisdom, Age, and Endurance
Additional items often found on the table include:
- Hyacinth (Flower): Symbol of Spring’s Arrival
- Coins: Symbol of Wealth and Prosperity
- Mirror: Symbol of Reflection and Truth
- Light (Candles): Symbol of Knowledge, Happiness, and Clarity
- Painted Eggs: Symbol of Fertility and Human Creation
- Sweets & Nuts: Symbol of Celebration and Joy
- Books: Symbol of Knowledge and Awareness, often featuring the poetry of Hafiz Shirazi or other classic Iranian literature.
- Thirteen Day (Sizdah Bedar)
The final component of Nowrouz celebrations is Sizdah Bedar, known as the “13th Day.” This joyful occasion, falling this year on April 1, 2025, is a Nature Festival deeply rooted in ancient traditions.
On this day, most Iranians leave their homes and spend the day outdoors, celebrating with picnics, dancing, music, and laughter. They take the special green grass (Sabzeh) grown for Nowrouz and release it into rivers or streams, symbolizing a return to nature.
Cultural and Political Resilience
Since the medieval, fascist Shia Islamic state seized power in 1979, it has continually promoted Shiite mourning through its propaganda apparatus. As part of this agenda, the regime has unofficially banned Nowrouz celebrations and repeatedly attempted to restrict them. However, despite all its efforts, it has never succeeded in completely suppressing these joyful festivities.
LONG LIVE THE NOWROUZ CELEBRATIONS!
UNIFIED PEOPLE ARE INVINCIBLE!