EVENTS

(will be updated accordingly)

'NOWROUZ' - Persian New Year Celebration

About Nowrouz

Norooz or Nowruz means ‘New Day’ and it marks the beginning of Iranian New Year. It is the first day of spring and represents the beginning of a year in the Persian calendar. On this day, families gather together to observe the rituals and festival.

This year Norooz will start on March 20, 2018 at 7:45 PM Iran local time, which is on March 20, 2018 at 11:15 AM Stillwater, OK time (CT).

The Celebrations

Before the start of the festival, a traditional ceremonial table is set up. It is called ‘SOFREH-YE-HAFT-SINN’ or the 'table of seven dishes'. The table is set up with a bowl of gold fish, mirror, candles, flowers, painted eggs and seven traditional items each starts with the letter ‘S’. Families keep this table in the home for thirteen days after the start of the new year.

The seven traditional Norooz items on ‘SOFREH-YE-HAFT-SINN’ are:

Sabzeh– barley, lentil or wheat sprouts which are left to grow in a dish; symbolizing renewal

Samanu– a sweet dish made from wheat germ; symbolizing wealth or prosperity

Senjed– dried fruit of the lotus tree; symbolizes love

Sir– garlic; symbolizing remedy and medicine

Sib– apples; symbolizes beauty and health

Somaq– sumac berries, which symbolizes sunrise

Serkeh– vinegar which symbolizes patience, age and wisdom

Are you interested to join our celebration? Let's have a memorable day together with the start of new year.

Date: Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 5.30 PM

Location: Student Union Ballroom

Persian Food will be served

‘SOFREH-YE-HAFT-SINN’ or the 'table of seven dishes'

'Chahar Shanbeh Soori' - Last Wednesday of the year

On the eve of last Wednesday of the year, literally 'Chahar Shanbeh Soori', means the eve of Red Wednesday or the eve of celebration, bonfires are lit in public places with the help of fire and light, it is hoped for enlightenment and happiness throughout the coming year. People leap over the flames, shouting:

'Sorkhi-e to az man' Give me your beautiful red color

'Zardi-e man az to' And take back my sickly pallor!

With the help of fire and light symbols of good, we hope to see our way through this unlucky night - the end of the year- to the arrival of springs longer days. Traditionally, it is believed that the living were visited by the spirits of their ancestors on the last day of the year. By the light of the bonfire, they run through the streets banging on pots and pans with spoons called 'Gashog-Zani' to beat out the last unlucky Wednesday of the year, while they knock on doors to ask for treats. Indeed, Halloween is a Celtic variation of this night.

Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2018 (Before Wednesday starts)

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