Persian New Year arrives soon

The Iranian community will celebrate the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, beginning on Friday, March 21, which will mark the start of the year 1387.
“Nowruz new day or New Year as the Iranians refer to it, is the celebration of spring Vernal Equinox,” according to the website for the New York Persian Parade. “It is the most cherished of all Iranian festivals, as celebrated continuously by all peoples living on the Iranian plateau and the surrounds for at least 3,000 years. This occasion has also been observed in one form or another since 3,000 BC by all the major cultures of the ancient Mesopotamia, southwest and south central Asia including Sumerians, Babylonians, Elamites, Akaddians, Chaldeans and the Persians.”
During Nowruz, people “pay homage to creator or mother nature.” As part of the season’s activities, people visit their family, friends and the elderly and also make donations to those who are impoverished and sick.
In celebration of the New Year, the New York Persian Parade will be held on Sunday, March 30 beginning at 11 a.m. at Madison Avenue and 40th Street. Among the dignitaries who will be participating in it are Beverly Hills Mayor Jimmy Delshad and Parviz Sayyad.
Also, on Tuesday, March 18, Chaharshanbeh Souri in New Jersey will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Fiesta Catering Hall, located at 255 Route 17 south in Woodridge. The festivities will include fire jumping, Hadji Firooz, Persian food and music by Polka DJ. Tickets are $60 for ages 10 and up and $30 for children two to 10.
For more information on the New York Persian Parade, visit www.nypp.org or call 1-877-PARADE1. To find out more about Chaharshanbeh Souri, call 201-961-2256 or 845-596-0248.