20.03.2025
Happy Nowruz From Alum Nima Nezafati
Prof. Dr. Nima Nezafati shares a message on what this celebration means and how we can embrace renewal.
Perhaps Nowruz can be seen as a joyful reminder that, as part of nature itself, we too are granted the chance to renew and prosper with the arrival of spring - the dawn of a new year. And perhaps, by reflecting on our thoughts and actions, we may embrace this renewal more fully.
For Nowruz, we traditionally prepare a special table called Haft-Seen, which literally means "a table set with seven items beginning with the letter ‘S’" (in Persian). These items, naturally available at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, include:
- Sprouted grains or beans grown on a dish (symbolizing rebirth and growth),
- Wheat germ sweet pudding (Samanu)
- Oleaster (Senjed), Vinegar (Serkeh), Apple (Seeb), Garlic (Seer), Sumac (Somaq).
- Decorated or colored eggs
- Additionally, the table is often decorated with flowers (especially hyacinths), coins, a clock, a mirror, and a (holy) book.
