IRAN: Shopping for festive goods ahead of Persian New Year and youths celebrate Chaharshanbeh-Souri or "Red Wednesday"

Record ID: 313888

  • Title: IRAN: Shopping for festive goods ahead of Persian New Year and youths celebrate Chaharshanbeh-Souri or "Red Wednesday"
  • Date: 20th March 2008
  • Summary: SHOPPERS AND VENDORS
  • Embargoed: 4th April 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVA6XA6W28VZ0IHO1CMP0ZKL6J0K
  • Story Text: Iranians are getting ready to welcome their new year, with adults stocking up on items symbolising the advent of "Norooz" -- the spring equinox -- and youths celebrating one of Persia's most ancient traditions, Chaharshanbeh-Souri or "Red Wednesday".

    "Norooz" is a pre-Islamic Persian festival that marks the beginning of the Iranian calendar. Its symbols include goldfish, garlic, wheat and confectionary that are traditionally arranged on coffee tables around which people congregate to pray for blessings and read verses of the Muslim holy book, the Koran.
    Although many are complaining this year from rising inflation, they are still not deterred from flocking to their local markets.

    "There is inflation. The economy is not doing very well because of fuel rationing and inflation but we hope the situation will improve,"
    shopper Mona Khanzadeh told Reuters.

    "Iranians always celebrate their traditional holidays in spite of all difficulties," said Mahmoum Jamshidi, another Tehran resident.
    The streets of Tehran were packed with young revellers on the night of Tuesday/Wednesday (March 18 and 19) as many celebrated Chaharshanbeh-Souri or "Red Wednesday", the eve of the last Wednesday of the outgoing year.
    Setting Tehran alight with firecrackers and bonfires in public spaces, young men danced and leaped over the fires shouting: "Sorkhi-ye to az man; Zardi-ye man az to!", meaning "Give me your beautiful red colour; And take back my sickly pallor!"
    Dating back to 1700 BC, the tradition uses fire and light as symbols of enlightenment and happiness for the coming year.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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