On the initiative of the student’s parliament of YSMU, the Iranians celebrated the New Year celebration of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Nowruz, in a festive atmosphere together with national songs and dances. Nowruz, according to the Iranian calendar is celebrated on the first day of spring on March 21.
Traditionally they prepare “haft-sin”, which includes seven foods beginning with Persian “s”. That includes:
Sabze – wheat sprouts grown in a dish
Samanu -sweet pudding made from wheat germ
Senjed – Persian olive
Serke -Vinegar
Sib -apple
Sir -garlic
Somaq – Sumac
Haft-sin may include a mirror, candles, painted eggs, a bowl of water, goldfish, coins, hyacinth, and traditional confectioneries; each of this has its own meaning. Samanu is the sign of prosperity, apple is the sign of health, Persian olive stands for love, Garlic for joy, coins for abundance, mirror for enlightenment, water for purity, fish for life and so on…
The Iranians celebrate Nowruz during the equinox at 1.15AM, and then congratulations and visits to each other’s house begin.