Nowruz and its traditions. The Persian New Year celebration.

Nowrūz in Persian culture is a symbol of wanting the good of others and doing good to everyone without distinction of race, language and religion. Nowrūz means moving away from evil and wickedness and approaching Good Thought, Good words and Good works as Zarathustra says. Nowrūz does not belong to just one people but belongs to all humanity. Nowrūz means starting the new year with a smile, doing well and preparing to embrace the new year that opens.

Nowrūz is a fundamental element that unifies the Iranian people with the peoples of neighboring countries, and for this reason it has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity.

Nowrūz is the celebration of nature, creation and the revenge of light on darkness. The Nowrūz festival not only has always brought together the Iranian people but also constitutes a strong bond with all those who love Iran and its culture. As the great Persian poet Ferdowsi says, with the arrival of Nowrūz hearts warm up, come closer and the arrival of light is proclaimed: therefore Nowrūz is sacred.

Translation by Giorgia Durigon and Maria Elena Cantù Degani

Edition: The Circle

158 pages.

Author:

Reza Shabani, born in 1938, received his doctorate in history from the Sorbonne University in Paris. Professor of history at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, he is part of the group of the most influential people and
eminent in Iran's contemporary scientific and cultural landscape.
Author of several essays that deal with the history of Iran in its various historical and anthropological aspects