#norouz

[fullcravings]

Ghotab/Qottab Pastry (Persian Walnut Filled Crescents)

[matarsack]

It’s our New Year. We call it Norouz, a 3000-year-old tradition with its roots in Zoroastrianism and it’s celebrated by many people around the world. We set the Haftseen, seven things starting with S, each symbolizing health, wealth, hope, life, happiness. We gather around our loved ones and hope for better days to come. This time, I kept thinking about all the innocent, beautiful people we lost. That the Islamic regime took away from their families. Everyone who’s in prison because they wanted to live a normal life; because they wanted to have basic human rights. All the schoolgirls who took off their oppressive hijab and stood up against the mullahs and became the target of the regime’s revenge. Everyone who experienced the worst kind of trauma, fear, anxiety, helplessness. This year was the worst year for us in Iran. But it also had a moment of beauty. When the world saw our suffering and shared our voice and made us feel we’re not alone. Thank you for being with us through this nightmare. This seemingly everlasting nightmare. But it will end, as everything must. I can only hope that it’ll be a happy ending. And that it’ll come before more innocent lives are lost.

[chat-dit]

Illustration faite pour une carte de vœux de Norouz.

Illustration faite pour une carte de vœux de Shab-e Yaldā.

[ichigorgeous]

today we celebrate #nowruz, the persian new year and also the beginning of spring.

in the old persian folklore, nowruz told the story of amo nowruz (uncle nowruz) and nane sarma (grandma frost).

there are different versions of the story, but the version i know is that on the first day of spring every year, nane sarma waits for amo nowruz to come and visit her, after being away all year. but before he comes she always falls asleep from exhaustion. to show appreciation for her efforts and to let her know he passed by, he takes half of the haftsin she laid out on the table. when she wakes up she realizes that amo nowruz has come and gone, and so waits again for the next spring. they say that if the two of them see each other the world will be destroyed.

most depictions of amo nowruz and nane sarma are them in their old age. this is my take on the story of nowruz - of amo nowruz and nane sarma in their youth.

happy nowruz! !نوروز مبارک

[learning-persian]

It’s the Persian New Year; 1401. The turn of the century. We call the new year “Norouz” نوروز, which literally means ‘new day’ and starts on the first day of Spring. And put seven certain things that begin with an S on a table and call it ‘Haftseen’هفت‌سین, which means ‘Seven S’s’. Things like Seeb (apple), Seer (garlic), Sekke (coin) but also other things that don’t start with an S like painted eggs, a mirror and candles. All have symbolic meanings, like heath, wealth and good fortune. Happy Norouz to everyone who celebrates it!

[persianstuff]

It’s time for Norouz again and for the welcoming of spring and I wish you all good health, love, and happiness for the coming year!

I want to remind people that traditions, no matter how much you enjoyed them and the nostalgic value that it has to you now can still be wrong.

Haji Firouz is not an exception!

Some like to defend Haji Firouz with the argument that his face is black from soot because he is a symbol of the priests who used to maintain the fire in the fire temples long ago. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth as the priests couldn’t be seen with sooth on their faces as they were highly respectable in society.

Others try to argue that it can’t be racist because he is seen as a positive symbol or because black face is only a western thing and a problem due to slavery in USA.

Well, the truth is that there were slaves in Iran too - the abolition happened in 1929 (not even 100 years ago).

Haji Firouz is racist.

Basically, no argument can make Haji Firouz an acceptable figure as he is a racist depiction and should not be revived over and over again during a time were we are supposed to celebrate new beginnings.

We as iranians pride ourselves in being a multi-ethnical group, which is the reason for why our culture is so rich and vibrant - as well as different in every part of the country (and even around the world). However, our past is not as innocent as we may have been told by our elders. Thus, we all have a responsibility to inform our families and friends that the Haji Firouz should not have and should not be a part of Norouz.

I wish you all to have a wonderful Norouz, and that good things will come with the dance of spring. Take care of eachother!🌷

Informative articles:

https://csalateral.org/forum/cultural-constructions-race-racism-middle-east-north-africa-southwest-asia-mena-swana/myths-haji-firuz-racist-contours-iranian-minstrel-baghoolizadeh/

https://thetehrantimes.com/the-problem-with-haji-firooz/

[nooshafarin]

I wish you all to have a wonderful Norooz. It’s a celebration of new beginnings, so let’s hope for better and more healthy days. Sale no mobarak.

[pineapplecrispy]

Happy new year everyone 🍎🌿