New Year's Day, known as Nowruz in Iran, is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in the country. It represents the start of the Persian new year and coincides with the vernal equinox, occurring on March 20 or 21, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. This ancient festival has been celebrated for over 3,000 years, not only in Iran but also in other countries influenced by Persian culture.
Nowruz is a holiday of great symbolism and meaning in Iranian society. Preparations for Nowruz begin weeks in advance, with a traditional spring cleaning, known as 'khooneh tekouni', that literally means 'shaking the house'. On the eve of last Wednesday before Nowruz, Iranians traditionally celebrate with bonfires and fireworks, driving away evil spirits to welcome the new year. An integral part of the celebrations is the setting of the 'Haft Seen' table – a display of seven items beginning with the letter S in the Persian alphabet, each symbolising life, happiness, prosperity, etc.
New Year's Day in Iran is a public holiday and a period of time off work. It is usually celebrated with family gatherings, special meals and gift exchanges. The holiday period often lasts for 13 days, with families venturing outdoors for picnics on the 13th day, a tradition known as 'Sizdah Bedar', symbolising the end of the Nowruz holiday. Despite the modern era's changes, Iranians continue to hold tight to the tradition of Nowruz, considering it a significant part of their cultural identity.