A very happy Nauruz

Today marks the beginning of Nauroz celebrations, so here’s wishing ‘a very happy Nauruz’ to our readers who are celebrating their ‘New Year’ today. May this year, and those to come, be filled with peace; prosperity and happiness for you and your family.

Nauruz or Nowruz (literally ‘New Day) is the name of the Persian New Year. It has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin and the Balkans and marks the first day of the first month in the Iranian calendar. It usually occurs on 21 March or the previous or following day, depending on where it is observed. The moment the sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day is calculated exactly every year and families gather together to celebrate. It is a secular holiday for most celebrants, enjoyed by people of several different faiths.

Like with all festivals or celebrations, house cleaning and decoration take place before the day dawns – in fact in many countries there are ritual activities planned that are a prelude to the main celebrations. There are many other heart-warming traditional ways to celebrate the occasion, so enjoy them to the fullest and again, a very Happy Nauroz!