IFP Exclusive

“More Efforts Needed to Introduce Nowruz to Younger Generations”

A senior culture heritage official has called for greater efforts to raise awareness among Iranian youth about the Persian New Year festival Nowruz, an ancient tradition that has become the symbol of Iranian culture.

Seyyed Mohammad Beheshti, the head of the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage & Tourism (RICHT), says “Nowruz is not a day, but it is a process. We should make [younger] generations aware of its origins.”

He made the statement while addressing a recent conference dubbed “Nowruz: Legacy of Peace, Cultural Diversity and Culture of Tolerance” in Tehran, the RICHT’s public relations office reported.

Nowruz is the traditional celebration of the start of spring and the Persian new year (March 20 or 21), which represents freshness and renewal.

Literally meaning “new day”, Nowruz is celebrated across Iran and several countries in the region, including Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan Republic, India, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

Nowruz became a tradition over time and a part of Iranian culture when people revere spring and revive their lives with the revival of nature.

Gradually, its elements were integrated into people’s customs and the culture of Nowruz was shaped.

The earliest available evidence of Nowruz belongs to the Sumerians who migrated across the Zagros Mountains to Mesopotamia over 5,000 years ago.

In 2009, the tradition was for the first time included on the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a practice shared by several countries.

The two-week Nowruz festivities commence at the start of Spring Equinox (March 20 or 21) each year, and include public rituals, house-cleaning, shopping, special meals, travelling, family visits, gift-giving and street performances.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.

Recent Posts

IRGC: US Iran’s main enemy, Israel can’t survive without its support

The spokesperson and deputy head of public relations for the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC)…

2 hours ago

Iran says increased number of its centrifuges in response to the IAEA resolution

The Atomic Energy Organization and the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that, in response to the…

3 hours ago

Iranian, Belarusian tourism ministers meet on facilitating tourist movement

Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, met on Thursday…

6 hours ago

Unscheduled visit by Qatari prime minister to Tehran sparks speculation

Reports emerged by Iranian daily Donya-e Eqtesad suggest that the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister…

21 hours ago

ICC issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Gallant for ‘war crimes’ in Gaza

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,…

21 hours ago

Iran to respond to Europe’s “non-technical” move: Foreign Minister

As France, Germany, and the United Kingdom submit an anti-Iran draft resolution to the International…

22 hours ago