The traditional festival dates back to the beginning of Persian history more than 3,000 years ago.

It is celebrated on the first day of the spring or the Vernal Equinox, which usually occurs on March 21, or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed.

The word Norouz (also spelled NowRuz, Norooz and other variants) literally means “New Day” in Persian.

Norouz is the most cherished of all Persian festivals and is an important holiday that is celebrated across a vast geographical area by Persians, Turks, Afghans, Tajiks, Parsis, including many other ethnic communities.

It is the longest holiday and biggest celebration in Persian calendar and would commence ten days prior to the New Year.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), registered Norouz on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, describing it as a spring festival of Persian origin.

THE HAFT SEEN

A few weeks before the New Year, Iranians clean and rearrange their homes. They make new clothes, bake pastries and germinate seeds as sign of renewal.

Commonly Norouz is celebrated by spreading a “Haft seen”. “Haft” is the number seven in Persian and “Seen” is the letter S in the Persian alphabet.

The elements in Haft Seen have symbolic meanings and represent life-rebirth, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, patience and beauty.

The seven articles are Seer (garlic), Senjed (lotus tree fruit), Serkeh (vinegar), Seeb (apple), Somaq (sumac berries), Sabzeh (grown wheat or lentil), and samanu (Iranian sweet pudding).

These seven articles are spread on the table with a copy of Quran. These Iranian customs symbolise the triumph of good over evil.

It is the focal point of the celebration and as such Iranians take great care and pride in putting together a lavish and elaborate spread to signify all that they want in the New Year.

Norouz is also celebrated by Iranians around the world, such as in Canada, United States, German and United Kingdom.

This year Kuala Lumpur will experience this celebration for the first time, which will be held from 17 to 19 March.

30,000 IRANIANS RESIDES IN MALAYSIA

Organised by Neguin Group of Companies together with Kuala Lumpur Youth Development Organization (YOUTH) and Flexi Heritage Sdn Bhd, this inaugural festival invites the public to participate in this joyous celebration through a series of captivating Persian cultural display.

Together with the support from Tourism Malaysia and support from the embassy of Iran, this festival is aimed at bringing the art, culture and heritage of the people of West Asia for the interests of Middle Eastern community residing in Malaysia and those planning to celebrate Norouz Festival here in Kuala Lumpur.

Neguin Group’s Executive Director Dr Rahman Abidin told Bernama apart from the 30,000 Iranians residing in Malaysia, records show that a large group of Middle Eastern tourists choose to spend their Norouz holidays here.

“This festival would be a good platform for them to celebrate the New Year and share the rich history and tradition at one of the most multicultural city in the world. Norouz not only marks the rejuvenation of the earth but it also allows people to gather and share in their unique traditions. Kuala Lumpur is the perfect city for this occasion,” he said.

According to data on tourist arrivals and receipts to Malaysia provided by Tourism Malaysia, tourist arrival from Iran to Malaysia in 2008 increased by 132 percent to 63,165. Last year it recorded 60 percent increase to 101,664 tourists.

Meanwhile, about 16,000 Iranians celebrated Norouz in Malaysia last March, a substantial increase from 10,642 tourists during the previous year.

PEACE AND HUMAN DIGNITY

Dr Rahman Abidin said Norouz Festival is presented to Malaysians to spread the message of peace and human dignity for all races and religion.

“We are very excited because people from all races will have the opportunity to gather and celebrate this auspicious occasion while learning about a new culture. We hope that with ongoing support by the Ministry of Tourism, Norouz Spring Festival in Malaysia will continue as a highly anticipated annual celebration”, he added.

Dr Rahman said the celebration will be a starting point where the Malaysian youth and the Iranians will have a closer relationship in many ways in order to strengthen the existing relationship.

Beside Norouz Festival, Neguin Group is organising Malaysia-Iran business seminar in June, Middle East Film Festival in December and will be bringing Malaysian business people to Iran in October.

Meanwhile, Neguin Group head of Public Relations, Maryem Nazem said Malaysia’s melting pot nature provides a perfect avenue for intercultural event such as the Norouz Festival.

Maryam, an academician by profession, has been residing in Malaysia for more than two years. She discovered many cultural parallels between her home country, Iran and Malaysia.

“For people of Middle East, including Iranians, the most important part is not only the thought of celebrating Norouz but also bridging closer relationship within the community and with the Malaysian people,” she said.

The Norouz Festival Kuala Lumpur will kick off with an exhibition of Persian culture and cuisine held at The Berjaya Times Square from 17 to 19 March.

Traditional ethnic performances by one of Iran’s talented group of musicians, Pardes, is set to display ethnic rituals from seven Iranian tribes throughout the celebration.

The highlight of the Norouz Festival is a gala dinner on 19 March, which will display Persian finest music, dance, craft, and a delectable selection of Persian cuisine.

It is celebration of hope, promise and good fortune, so have fun with it and share the joy with all your friends and family.

For more information on Norouz Spring Festival, please visit www.neguin.com.

Source: Bernama