Spring is nearly here. Have you seen those vibrant street banners around town?
Farhang Foundation is bringing the Nowruz Festival, a free daylong community celebration of the Persian New Year, back to the campuses of UCLA and UC Irvine.
The Los Angeles event takes place at UCLA’s Royce Hall and Dickson Court on Sunday, March 11 followed by Irvine’s celebration at the UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts on Saturday, March 24.
Nowruz, meaning “new day,” falls on the first day of spring and celebrates the rebirth of nature. This year, it comes on Wednesday, March 21.
“It’s probably the largest celebration for us,” said Alireza Ardekani, executive director of the nonprofit Farhang Foundation. “The great thing about Nowruz is it’s not associated with one particular country, so everyone can participate in it. I think that’s why our event is so popular.”
Nowruz is celebrated in countries around the world, including Iran, Afghanistan, Albania, Turkey and here in the United States.
Here are five things you don’t want to miss:
Grand Haft Sin Display
The Haft Sin display is the centerpiece of Nowruz. In Iranian households, an ornate fabric-draped table laden with symbolic items representing fertility, evolution, rebirth, prosperity, love, health and beauty is displayed. But the Farhang Foundation’s Haft Sin display is larger than life. Expect it to outdo the previous year’s display, which featured live birds.
Stilt Walkers
Grab a photo with the Nowruz folk characters Amoo Nowruz, Hadji Firooz and Naneh Sarma as they walk around the grounds on stilts. Like Santa Claus, Amoo Nowruz is an older man with a white beard who brings gifts to children. His clown-like sidekick, Hadji Firooz, sings and keeps the mood lively. Naneh Sarma, meanwhile, could be mistaken for Mrs. Claus.
Farhang’s Annual Nowruz Spring Walk
This procession through campus is a highlight of the Nowruz festival. Everyone is invited to join in. All that’s asked is that you wear colorful traditional costumes or clothing.
Live entertainment
Enjoy a series of live folk music and dance performances across the campus. They include Iranian singer Mamak Khadem who is joined by the horned brass band Dzambo Agusevi Orchestra, Firuze Dance Company’s traditional dancers clad in colorful Iranian folk costumes, and the all-female L.A. DAF drum ensemble.
Sima Bina Concert
Everything is free, except for the concert by the legendary Sima Bina. For more than 50 years, Bina, an Iranian exile living in Germany, has documented and performed the traditional songs of Iran’s various regions in their native dialects. But perhaps one of her most famous and recognized song is the Nowruz song, which she will perform during her two rare Southern California appearances The Orange County concert is sold out, but tickets are still available for the Royce Hall show, priced $25-$150.
Farhang Foundation Nowruz Festival
When: noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 11
Where: UCLA’s Royce Hall and Dickson Court, 10745 Dickson Court, Los Angeles
When: noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 24
Where: UCI’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts, 4002 Mesa Road, Irvine
Admission: Free (except for the Sima Bina concert)
Information: www.farhang.org
