Nowruz (persian new year)

For celebrating the Nowruz feast, Haft-Sin is prepared, a table with a tablecloth on which seven (sacred number) elements are placed whose denomination begins with the letter S of the Persian alphabet, namely:

Sabzé (sprouted wheat or lentils adorned with a red ribbon), represents rebirth.

Sib (apple), desire and beauty.

Sir (garlic), cheers.

Somag (sumac) a species that comes from the tree of paradise.

Serké (vinegar), maturity and patience in the face of life’s difficulties.

Sombol (hyacinth), arrival of spring.

Sekke (gold coins), prosperity and wealth.

Painted eggs are also usually placed, in the style of Easter, symbolizing fertility, along with some mirrors and a fish tank. The New Year is celebrated with the whole family gathered around the haft-sin while different readings are read in common: poetry by Hafez, surahs from the Koran….

For practical purposes, the new year begins at the nearest midnight to the instant of the vernal equinox, in this year 2021 at 0:00 hours on March 21st (according to the Gregorian calendar), see the article A brief reflection on the Iranian calendar , by Dr. Heydari Malayeri, on this same website https://iranologia.es/en/2020/09/23/a-concise-review-of-the-iranian-calendar/

The Nowruz season has also been seen in Iranian cinema. We highlight two films in which various aspects associated with this festivity in Iran can be enlighted. Clicking on the corresponding link you can access the film on the YouTube channel.

 
Tittle:            Chaharshanbe-soori (Fireworks Wednesday)
Year:               2006
Length:         104 min.
Director:     Asghar Farhadi
Scripyn:        Asghar Farhadi, Mani Haghighi
Music:           Peyman Yazdanian
Fotography: Hossein Jafarian
Starring:       Hediyeh Tehrani, Taraneh Alidoosti, Hamid                                      Farokhnezhad, Pantea Bahram, Matin                                                Heydarnia, Houman Seyyedi, Sahar                                                      Dolatshahi, Mehran Mahram, Behshad                                              Sharifian
Productor:   Boshra Film
Genre:            Drama
Sinopsis:        Three days before the Iranian New Year, Rouhi is employed as a home maid by Morteza and Mojdeh, a married couple who live with their son. Mojdeh suspects her husband is unfaithful to her. Rouhi observes the relationships and circumstances surrounding the life of that family during “Fire Wednesday.”(FILMAFFINITY)
Awards:       2007: Festival de Cine de Las Palmas: Winner

Tittle:          Badkonak-e Sefid (The White Balloon)

Year:              1995

Length:        85 min.País

Director:     Jafar Panahi

Script:           Abbas Kiarostami

Fotography:  Farzad Jadat

Starring:      Aida Mohammadkhani, Mohsen Kalifi, Fereshteh                              Sadr Orafai, AnnaBorkowska, Mohammad                                            Shahani, Mohammed Bahktiari, Aliasghar Smadi,                               Hamidreza Tahery, Hasan Neamatolahi, Asghar                                 Barzegar, Bosnali Bahary, Mohammadreza                                             Baryar,  Shaker Hayely, Homayoon Rokani

Productor: Ferdos Films

Genre:          Drama, Childhood

Sinopsis:      On March 21st, the first day of spring, the New Year is celebrated in Iran. Razieh, an eight-year-old girl, dreams of getting the traditional goldfish for that party. With the help of her brother Ali, she convinces her mother to give her money for buying it. But the way to the goldfish shop is very long and full of dangers. Razieh, alone and helpless, goes through all kinds of adventures before getting what she wants: she loses and gets her money, it is stolen, it falls down a sewer, she is late to the store. Celebrated film written by Kiarostami and awarded at Cannes.. (FILMAFFINITY)