Around the Sound: Celebrated by 350 million, Persian New Year begins Monday

Persian New Year or “Nowruz” is Monday, March 20th, the start of the spring equinox. Celebrated around the world by about 350 million people, it’s thousands of years old.

“Some records show it as being 5,000 years old, but most have agreed on the 3,500-year mark, and it’s a UNESCO-recognized celebration. It’s not religious it’s not ethnic, and that’s why it has so much staying power. The message is just about friendship, family, love, renewal, rebirth, cleansing of the spirit, the home, and relationships,” Cathia Geller said.

Cathia believes Nowruz’s message is what resonated with so many people. Timing is also key because it follows the start of spring to the exact minute, which sometimes means it could fall in the middle of the night.

“The thing is everyone has to be around the haftseen table which is a kind of a kin to the Christmas tree, so we set that table and everyone gathers around it and the clock ticks and suddenly this fun music starts playing and everyone starts jumping up and down,” Cathia said.

With so many customs and traditions around the New Year, Cathia hopes more people can participate in Nowruz.

“I think it would be great if non-Iranians or non-celebrants of Nowruz look into it and call up a friend that you know from one of these cultures and wish them a happy Nowruz or Nowruz Pirooz.”

There is a Nowruz celebration this Sunday starting at 10 a.m. at Marina Park Pavilion in Kirkland.

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