Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is a 3,000-year-old celebration of spring and new beginnings that has withstood multiple conquests and time. Observed by around 300 million people worldwide, it falls on the first day of the Iranian calendar and lasts for 13 days.
The holiday marks the end of darkness and the rebirth of nature, with deep reverence for fertility and new beginnings. Celebrations vary across countries but typically involve large gatherings, street festivals, bonfires, fireworks, poetry, and folk music. Food plays a central role in these festivities, often featuring traditional dishes such as kookoo sabzi, sabzi polo ba mahi, and reshteh polo.
A unique aspect of Nowruz is the haft-sin table, which displays seven symbolic ingredients starting with the letter ‘S’. These symbols represent different concepts, like health, patience, and beauty. The celebration also marks the start of spring cleaning in Iran, known as khane tekani.
To join in on the festivities, consider visiting a London restaurant offering Nowruz-themed menus or attending a supper club. For those looking to try Persian recipes at home, recommended cookbooks include ‘Feasts by Sabrina Ghayour’ and ‘The Saffron Tales by Yasmin Khan’.
Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-is-nowruz-persian-new-year-food