NowRuz; An ever-lasting ever-fresh Rejuvenation of Life, Love, Light & Liberty
Written by: K. E. Mehrfar & printed in Los Angeles Times
Translated by: Golsa S. Gheibi
The Persian new year of Nowruz is once again upon us. This messenger of millenniums who has stood the test of time over so many centuries is the most important event in Iranian calendar & is celebrated by more than 300 million people from various countries all around the world.
From the White House regardless of administrations & in the halls of UN to some of the tiniest villages in remote parts of the world, NowRuz is celebrated to welcome spring with new hopes for peace & prosperity for all mankind. In fact, March 21st is declared by UN as “The International Day of NowRuz”.
There is no hard evidence nor any scientific proof of when NowRuz started but most historians believe it started in ancient Persia, deeply rooted in Zoroastrianism with high respect for Mother Nature & environment. This is the same belief that Maestro Zubin Mehta, past musical director & conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra & his father Mehli Mehta & also Freddie Mercury of The Queens rock band & recently Morgan Freeman in his ABC interview said they believe in.
The motto of Zoroastrianism as actor Morgan Freeman said it beautifully in an ABC interview is pretty simple yet so profound & related to NowRuz; “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds”. It is very consistent with the message of NowRuz, simply said “Be Good”.
The roots of NowRuz go back to Iran’s ancient times when our ancestors looking for any occasions to have happy & joyful festive celebrations. There were at least 12 of them in a year, one festival per month. The biggest being NowRuz at the exact moment of spring equinox. They were smart tying them to the cycles of Nature, hence its recurrence every year.
However, one can say that NowRuz even though started in ancient Persia belongs to all of Humanity due to its simple yet profound messages of life, love, light & liberty for mankind. NowRuz can arguably be considered the Humanity Identity.
There are many organizations in major U.S. cities marking NowRuz. One very close to us in S. Cal is the Iranian-American Community. More info at https://IAC-Group.org. Also Farhang Foundation at https://Farhang.org and Network of Iranian American Professionals of Orange County at https://Nipoc.org among several others are celebrating the holiday with special events.
On the beginning of Spring and the start of the Persian new year, I wish you, your Family & your loved ones the best of Health, Happiness & Prosperity.
Greetings & Cheers: K. E. Mehrfar
NowRuz spread at the White House. Courtesy of the White House and U.S. State Department
NowRuz spread at the UN. Courtesy of UNESCO, United Nations