‘Nawruz’, which literally means ‘New Day’, is the Persian New Year and it’s probably one of the few celebrations, the other being Christmas, that I genuinely enjoy celebrating with friends and family.
Nawruz is deeply rooted in the history and culture of the Iranian peoples - which includes not only Persians from Iran but also communities from Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and beyond. It coincides with the spring equinox, symbolizing new beginnings and the rejuvenation of nature that’s rooted in Zoroastrianism, but has been celebrated across secular lines for millennia. It’s a tradition that’s stood the test of time and regimes that tried to ban it without luck. Nawruz is celebrated by some 300 million people around the world.
This beautiful video by the director Naghmeh Pour and producer Sara Samson Moghaddas provides a short overview of Nawruz, explaining its significance and traditions, detailing the symbolic items involved and how families come together to celebrate this day of rebirth and renewal.
Nawruz brings together joy, renewal, reflection, and plenty of delicious food. And on March 23rd, 2024, these feelings were stronger than ever as we came together to celebrate this cherished festival.
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Instead of the Iranian ‘Haft-Seen’, we set up a ‘Haft Mewa’, a beautiful Afghan tradition involving seven dried fruits. It’s a harmonious mix of almonds, walnuts, pistachios, apricots, raisins, ‘senjid’ (the dried fruit of the oleaster tree), and dried cherries, soaked in water to create a sweet and fruity drink. As the centrepiece of our celebration, the Haft Mewa needed to be perfectly balanced, its flavours mingling to offer every sip a taste of the new year’s sweetness and promise. I admit, I indulged a bit too enthusiastically in the Haft Mewa and ended up a bit ‘drunk’ from all that dried fruit heaven: 100% home made!
Then there were the amazing pastries, crafted with loads of love and care. The ‘Crème Roll’ definitely stole the show. Made by my sister-in-law, it was brought all the way from Denmark to the Netherlands with the utmost care. I’ve to give it to her: the pastries were a work of art, each bite as perfect as the last! Just writing about them makes my mouth water.
Then there was my amazing brother-in-law, the best cook ever, without whom none of the food would have been possible. He really made it all happen. His skills as a master chef are phenomenal - it was mesmerising to watch him transform simple ingredients into awesome dishes.
I am forever thankful. Without him, we’d probably have ended up ordering pizzas for everyone. I kid you not.
Nawruz is a beautiful bridge that links generations.
In the warmth of our home, surrounded by the beautiful colours of spring and the delightful aromas of Afghan cuisine, I was reminded of the deep family connections that Nawruz nurtures. As we savoured traditional dishes and shared stories of past celebrations, it became clear to me that the true spirit of Nawruz lies in its ability to bring us closer, fostering unity and hope for a prosperous future together.
Spring marks new beginnings and it’s an opportunity to start things over.
As Rumi once said,
“Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.”
This Nawruz, it was indeed the love, care, and connection we shared that quietly drew us closer, embodying the spirit of renewal and reflection.
It was a wonderful day, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next one!
Cheers!