March 16, 2010

Persian New Year or Nou Ruz takes place at the exact moment of spring equinox, which this year will be at 5 pm on March 20th. Iranians, Afghans, Kurds, Tajiks, Belouchis, Parsis, and Azerbaijanis alike celebrate this pre-Islamic tradition. Part of the ancient custom, which takes place before the actual Nou Ruz, is the celebration of Chahar Shanbeh Suri, the “Eve of Red Wednesday.” On this night young and old jump over bon fires with the phrase “Sorkhi-e to az man, zardi-e man az to,” meaning: “Your beautiful red color to me, my sickly yellowness to you.” By doing so the past is symbolically left behind in favor of the celebration of re-birth and the new.

It has been held in Iran since the dawn of our history more than 2000 years ago. Andisheh Center is proud to have organized this event in Portland for the past years. The 2010 event was held at Santorini restaurant. It was very fun and many families joined us. There was food and drink, fire jumping, dancing, egg painting, haft seen sofreh, and much camaraderie and renewal of old acquaintances. Hope to see all of you for the next year’s event.