Persians celebrate begining of spring

Seasonal flowers and traditional sweets filled dozens of brightly clothed tables in the Trabant Multipurpose Room Saturday, as 250 guests greeted one another and prepared to celebrate the arrival of spring and the Persian New Year, Nowruz.

For senior Sepehr Haghighat and the Persian Student Society, this celebration of Nowruz was a memorable one. Haghighat, the organization's president, says he has put a great deal of time throughout his undergraduate career into reaffirming the values and goals of the society, which his cousin founded in 2000. With 100 more guests than expected, the event surpassed his goal.

"We started very small," says Haghighat, smiling. "We held our first meeting in the basement of a house on Courtney Street and we just kept expanding."

Decadent fruits and arrangements of nuts preceded a full-course meal from a specialty bakery and restaurant in Washington, D.C. In order to keep the meal as traditional as possible, even the cookies were bought on special order. Other bakery desserts just aren't the same as these soft, flaky Persian treats, Haghighat explains.

He says his organization's main goal is to unite what he calls "pockets" of Iranian citizens living in Delaware and the surrounding states.

"We are all here in the United States together, but we are not completely united," he says. "You can't really understand a person until you sit next to them, dance with them, share some food with them."

Persian music echoed throughout the room for the entire evening. Amid musical performances and dancing, guests shared food and laughter.

His aunt, Shahla Baboubi Pirestani, was one of many members of his family in attendance on Saturday. Baboubi spoke with pride of the number of guests in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. areas who the society had contacted.

As is traditional of the Nowruz celebration, a decorated table stood at one end of the room. A large mirror faced the guests as a representation of reflection and rebirth. In front of the mirror, coins, rosewater, painted eggs and goldfish were on display  and symbolized wealth, cleansing of the soul, fertility and life.

Every Persian household prepares a spread similar this one during Nowruz. The items, which may differ slightly from house to house, portray each family's hopes for the coming year.

Saturday evening was just one of 13 nights of the holiday's celebration, which begins on the Tuesday before the vernal equinox.

Persians began the celebration   last week by jumping over a fire in an act of spiritual rebirth. In several public parks in the mid-Atlantic area, groups gathered this past Tuesday evening to take this symbolic leap.

The warmth of the fire melts away all sickness and pain and promotes a fresh start in the New Year, Haghighat says. In Persian religious history, fire has always had the ability to heal an individual's soul.

University student Shirin Zoofan says Nowruz is the most important holiday in Persian culture. She explains that in Iran, career-related responsibilities are put completely aside for 13 days.

Zoofan recalls days spent travelling from one family member's home to the next, special time spent with the oldest members of her family and the natural beauty of the Iranian landscape during this time of year.

"This time back home is amazing; the flowers, tulips, roses, everything which is part of the beautiful beginning of spring," Zoofan says.

Throughout Nowruz, Persian families spend their time making short visits to family and friends who return these visits later on. Small gifts and tokens of affection are also exchanged.

The holiday sets a refreshing tone for the coming year, free from  the anxieties of the previous year. Haghighat is confident that the organization's next executive board will work to strengthen an increasingly important sense of community.

"With everything happening nationally and internationally right now, this is a perfect opportunity for Iranian culture to present ourselves in a positive way," Haghighat says.