Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebrated across much of the Middle East to mark the beginning of spring, is the oldest spring festival still observed today, with a history spanning thousands of years. We celebrated it with 16 guests on Sunday, March 22. This year, the celebration is overshadowed by war. We commemorated the victims, their suffering, their anxiety, and their pain.
Niloufar set a traditional Nowruz table for us and explained the symbolism of the items on it, while Shayan read a poem that, though written back in the 1970s, remains just as relevant today. After a break for coffee, tea, and cake, we began our journey into classical Persian literature and poetry. Marianne introduced us to poets from the 9th to the 15th centuries: from Firdausi, Omar Khayyam, Attar, Nezami, Saadi, and Rumi to Hafez.
She recited a selection of poems that document 600 years of Sufi spirituality and still resonate deeply with people today. Shayan recited some of these poems in Persian. Jürgen accompanied the recitations with interludes on his ney (Persian long flute) and with singing to his oud (lute).
An atmosphere emerged that opened hearts to the spiritual richness of the Orient. The participants listened reverently and were inspired by the text and music.
Friendly personal conversations rounded out the evening…
We wish everyone a peaceful start to the new year with this spring-like New Year’s celebration!
Marianne Horling
Member of Intrecultura Circle URI Bonn CC and URI Europe Board member
