Celebrate Nowruz: A Guide to Persian New Year Festivities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the world prepares to welcome the Persian New Year, Nowruz, millions of people are gearing up for the vibrant celebrations beginning on March 20. This year, the United Nations recognizes International Nowruz Day to honor an ancient holiday marked by the commencement of spring and renewal.

Nowruz, which translates to “new day” in Persian, is celebrated by approximately 300 million people across Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, alongside Kurdish, Turkic, and Parsi communities worldwide. The festivities, which span 13 days, represent a rich tapestry of cultural rituals that endure through conquests and centuries.

“Nowruz is a celebration of life and the rebirth of nature,” said Shoreh Asemi, founder of the Nowruz Festival in D.C. “It allows us to reflect on the past year while welcoming new beginnings. We invite everyone to experience this joyous occasion with us.”

Traditions during Nowruz include deep spring cleaning, marked by the Persian practice of khane tekani. Families gather to share food, dance, and participate in street festivals. The centerpiece of the Nowruz feast is the haft-sin table, which features seven symbolic items, each starting with the letter ‘S’ in Persian, representing themes such as health, beauty, and patience.

The foods typical of Nowruz celebrations are varied and rich in flavor. In Iran, customary dishes include kookoo sabzi, a herby frittata, and sabzi polo ba mahi, featuring saffron rice and fried fish.
“The meal is as much a part of the celebration as the company,” said Omid Roustaei, a prominent Iranian-American chef. “Each dish tells a story of tradition, connection, and renewal for families celebrating all around the world.”

In Azerbaijan, kebabs and dolma (stuffed grape leaves) pepper the festivities, while Uzbeks prepare sumalak, a sweet pudding symbolizing fertility. Similarly, Afghans savor sabzi challow, a spinach and lamb curry that rounds out the Nowruz feast.

In central London, culinary enthusiasts can explore Nowruz-themed menus at restaurants like Bergamot and Plateful Cafe, which feature traditional Persian recipes.

The Nowruz Festival in D.C. will occur this Sunday at the Hilton Dulles International Airport, showcasing Persian culture through dance, music, and traditional dishes. Asemi emphasized that this celebration transcends borders: “We welcome everyone to learn and connect with our culture.”

Attendees can expect a vibrant atmosphere complete with food trucks offering Persian delicacies such as Ash Reshteh, a thick noodle soup. The event will also feature traditional dancers and live performances from musicians, including Haji Firuz, a character symbolizing the arrival of Nowruz.

“This festival is not just about food; it’s about connecting people through our shared humanity and traditions,” Asemi said.

As the vernal equinox approaches at 5:01 a.m. on March 20, communities gathered to celebrate Nowruz reflect on renewal and the promise of the coming spring.

In Iran, families begin their feast on the night before Nowruz, often preparing special meals with fresh herbs, nuts, and sweets to share and celebrate.

As Nowruz approaches, the community is filled with excitement and enthusiasm, marking a time to let go of the old and welcome the fresh beginnings of spring.