IRAN: Crowds at London's British museum to celebrate the Iranian New Year with an array of colourful performances and workshops

Record ID: 313465

  • Title: IRAN: Crowds at London's British museum to celebrate the Iranian New Year with an array of colourful performances and workshops
  • Date: 23rd March 2009
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 21, 2009) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF BRITISH MUSEUM
  • Embargoed: 7th April 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVA5OJSQENQCR4HWX5LZ35A8JYSK
  • Story Text: As the Great Court at London's British Museum filled with revellers and tourists on Saturday (March 21) for a weekend of 'Norouz' celebrations -- marking the end of the Persian calendar year -- traditional music, puppetry performances and cultural workshops got under way.
    'Norouz' -- meaning new day -- is an ancient festivity on the first day of spring, which began in the Pre-Islamic period of Iran.
    The British Museum and the non-profit London-based organisation 'Magic of Persia' annually host the free event to provide entertainment for visitors in the capital.
    Iranian visitors felt that an event like this is vital in teaching others about their culture and heritage.
    "The importance of this is that other people will see how we celebrate our New Year, which is foreign to them. Over the past few years, the British Museum has encouraged the event so that others can see it, especially as this is a hubbub for tourists," said modern Iranian Poet Afshin Babazadeh.
    'Kheyme Shab Bazy' -- traditional Iranian string puppet theatre -- was amongst the array of colourful acts, with its performers flying in from Iran especially for the weekend festivities.
    "For Iranians who are living outside the country, the puppeteer show is a performance which is even rare in Iran nowadays. It is enjoyed by all Iranians, because those who are older, associate with their childhood, and are familiar with the character of 'Mubarak'. When they see the puppeteer show, they remember the past. This is in effect a more traditional performance, which is shown during Norouz (New Year,)" said Iran-based puppeteer Ali Abolkheilian.
    The 'Haft Sin Table' attracted a great deal of attention from visitors.
    This is a table traditionally set up by Iranians with seven items that begin with the letter 'S' in Farsi. 'Magic Of Persia' volunteer, Modje Tavoon, explained to Reuters what each item represents.
    "We begin with 'Sabze', what we generally do is grow lentils or wheat or barley and it grows into something that looks a lot like grass, and it symbolises life and re-birth. Then we have the apples, which in Farsi is 'Seeb,' and they symbolise good health and beauty. We have 'Somagh', which is a kind of spice and it symbolises the colour of sunrise, so it's what we look forward to in the New Year. You have vinegar, which is 'Serkeh' in Farsi, and it symbolises age and patience. You have 'Sombol', which is the Hyacinth flower -- also symbolises re-birth and new beginnings. We have 'Senjed', which is the dried fruit of the oleaster tree, and it symbolises love, which is very important for the New Year. We have 'Seer', which is garlic, and it symbolises medicine and it also wards off evil spirits, kind of like 'The Evil Eye'," said Tavoon.
    During the weekend, organisers provided workshops for children to teach them about various aspects of Iranian New Year with a 'Haft Sin' tapestry workshop, face painting, and Persian mosaic making, in addition to the great Persian king Darius walking through the Great Court whilst telling stories to youngsters.
    "It's important for children and families outside Iran to become familiar with their culture -- especially with the expats. We find that unless with do it, this culture would be lost forever," said the organiser of the event and 'Magic of Persia' director, Shirley Elghanian.
    The Iranian celebration coincided with an ongoing exhibition at the British Museum, exploring 17th century Iran through the reign and legacy of Shah Abbas.
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